First came a bombshell comment. Then, some backtracking and heart-to-hearts, followed by a few tears. In the end, there was reconciliation, capped by a most impressive win. All in a week’s work for the surging Philadelphia Eagles, which overcame internal tension stemming from Brandon Graham’s viral comments on WIP and a tough opponent in the Pittsburgh Steelers to earn a franchise-record 10th victory in a row. The Eagles now share the top record in the NFC, and look as much like a Super Bowl contender as any team in the NFL. What happened behind the scenes at NovaCare Complex last week? How did the Eagles manage to weather the media storm? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reports on the saga that seemed to consume everyone outside the organization, but not many people within it.

Plus, veteran outside linebacker Josh Sweat joins Jeff for this week’s “Pick Six,” and shares his tips on computer building, leadership, and when to switch your number.

00:00 - Behind-the-scenes of a saga

23:08 - “Pick Six” with Josh Sweat

33:20 - Postseason implications

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

From backwards hurdles to dazzling touchdown runs, whenever Saquon Barkley makes a big play on the field, people notice. Behind the scenes, his gestures are more subtle, but the impact is just as significant. It could be a dap for an anxious rookie, or an invitation to a third-stringer to come over for Thanksgiving dinner. In speaking to over a dozen members of the Philadelphia Eagles organization in recent weeks, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane came away with a unanimous consensus: players and coaches love the addition of Barkley, both to the depth chart and in the locker room. With the Eagles continuing to close in on the playoffs, find out why Barkley has been an ideal fit, and how his presence and intangibles should be enough to spare the team an inglorious fate the likes of which it suffered last year.

00:00 Saquon Barkley, Part I: The “special dude”

17:40 Saquon Barkley, Part II: The “enforcer”

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

He was much-hyped, and has much delivered. With five games to go in the 2024 regular season, Vic Fangio has the Philadelphia Eagles defense on pace to finish as one of the top statistical units in the NFL - an incredible ascent for a group that ranked towards the bottom of the league last year. Fangio’s fingerprints can be seen all over the place, from scheme to execution, and player development as well. What are the secrets to his success and, in turn, the success of the Eagles’ defense? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane zooms in on the old-school, veteran coordinator, and explains why Fangio has not only been a perfect fit, but a driving force behind the Eagles’ postseason push.

Plus, in a new "Pick Six" segment, get to know right guard Mekhi Becton, whose become quite adept at figuring things out, whether he's on the football field, building bricks, or in the kitchen.

00:00 How Vic Fangio turned the Eagles defense around

19:20 “Pick Six” with Mekhi Becton

26:17 Outsiders are talking Super Bowl; what about inside the Eagles’ locker room?

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

It’s a question that’s been dogging the Eagles ever since preparations for the season began in earnest, and has only gotten more prevalent the more the team has won. “What are the lessons learned from last year?” With the Eagles sporting a near identical record heading into Week 13 as they did before the bottom fell out in 2023, media and fans alike seem eager to see if the 2024 edition of the Birds will suffer a similar fate. While there’s no guarantee for a deeper finish this winter, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane doubts the Eagles are in store for another epic collapse. The identity of the team is stronger, the talent and coaching better. But even though this year’s Eagles look better than last year’s group, obstacles lie ahead, especially in light of Brandon Graham’s season-ending injury, and Saquon Barkley’s increasing workload.

Plus, with a major test against Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens looming, Jeff explores how an off-field mishap appears to have fueled defensive tackle Jalen Carter’s dominant second season.

00:00 Why this won’t be a repeat of 2023

03:41 Brandon Graham’s loss will hurt more on the field than in the locker room

11:56 The maturation and dominance of Jalen Carter

21:38 A big battle in Baltimore

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

The last time the Philadelphia Eagles took a cornerback in the first round of the NFL Draft? Before this year, it was 2002. The last time they chose cornerbacks with each of their first two picks, like they also did this spring? Same deal, in 2022, when the team selected Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown - two mainstays during the Andy Reid-Donovan McNabb era. If early returns are any indication, the rookie tandem of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean could be primed to have a similar positive impact on the franchise’s fortunes. What’s clicked for the youngsters both separately and collectively that’s allowed them to earn starting roles this early in their careers? How does their relationship contrast on and off the field? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane profiles the Birds’ budding defensive backfield duo.

Also, as good as Saquon Barkley has been, it always helps to have a high-quality back-up for such a heavy-usage rusher. Jeff goes inside the weight room to highlight an area where second-stringer Kenny Gainwell has Barkley beat.

Plus, with the Eagles looking more and more like a contender during their six-game winning streak, we examine three factors that could put the team in the running for the NFC’s top playoff seed, and three more that could hold them back.

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

The Philadelphia Eagles handled the first team on their schedule this week - beating the Dallas Cowboys on the road. And it wasn’t just a win. It was a drubbing, marking the Eagles’ first win at AT&T Stadium in seven years. Now, on short rest, what figures to be a much stiffer, significant challenge awaits - a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Washington Commanders. At stake, sole control of the NFC East heading into the home stretch of the season. The Eagles say Washington has their full attention. In fact, the Birds believe they still haven’t played their best football yet, despite winning five in a row. What would help them reach a higher level? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane thinks the answer could lie with getting star receiver DeVonta Smith back in the mix.

Plus, in this week’s “Pick Six” interview, Zack Baun tells Jeff what it was like growing up with a single mom, and why he refuses to let the sport he plays define him.

00:00 DeVonta Smith says fewer targets “tough,” but wants to win

14:17 “Pick Six” with Zack Baun

22:22 First place on the line in Thursday Night Football showdown with Washington Commanders

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Four games into the season, the Eagles’ offense was stuck. With the team on its bye week, key members of the offensive line felt it was time to speak up. So they went to their head coach and offensive coordinator with feedback. It was straightforward and to the point. “We’ve got Saquon ‘F***ing’ Barkley. Let’s give him the f***ing ball.” Message received. Since then, the Eagles haven’t lost, climbing their way to the top of the NFC. But for as much as the players deserve props for pushing a run-first attack, so too does Nick Sirianni for implementing it. Given the Eagles' steady improvement during the season, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane wonders if there’s more Sirianni should be getting credit for…

Plus, in this week’s “Pick Six,” Jeff catches up with tight end Grant Calcaterra, who grew up a triplet, briefly retired from football, only to later find his way back and break through to the NFL.

Jeff also reexamines some of Sirianni’s crucial decisions against the Jaguars, and, despite the decisions not working out, explains why we shouldn’t have been surprised by Sirianni’s aggressive approach.

00:00 “Give him the f****ing ball”

13:05 Don’t blame Sirianni for being aggressive

17:37 “Pick Six” with Grant Calcaterra

25:33 It’s Cowboys Week!

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Hope can be fickle in football, but right now, following an impressive Week 8 victory vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, the Philadelphia Eagles have built modest momentum. What’s been responsible for the turnaround during the team's three-game winning streak? For starters, the head coach tweaked his approach, and his quarterback has responded with improved play. Are Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts sold on the evolution of the offense? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane takes a look at the Eagles’ new identity, and explains why certain players might be more eager to fully embrace it than Sirianni.

Plus, with A.J. Brown putting together another dominant season, Jeff poses the question: could the 27-year old be the Eagles’ best receiver of all-time?

And in this week’s “Pick Six” segment, find out which member of the offensive line Landon Dickerson has developed a secret language with.

00:00 How DeVonta Smith’s big touchdown signals change in offense

08:52 Is A.J. Brown the Eagles’ best receiver of all-time?

18:25 “Pick Six” with Landon Dickerson

31:30 Welcome back, Dough Pederson (Part II)

Links referenced by Jeff in the episode…

A.J. Brown podcast: https://www.audacy.com/podcast/uncovering-the-birds-with-jeff-mclane-e8fbc/episodes/raising-aj-brown-24ecc

A.J. Brown article:

https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/inq2/eagles-aj-brown-bio-starkville-mississippi-20230905.html

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

Saquon Barkley was a stud, the defense was dominant, and all seems well in Eagles Land, at least for now, following a blowout win over the New York Giants. But beyond the breakout runs and bevy of sacks, there were other noteworthy developments from the victory - some encouraging, others indicators of just how much more work the Eagles have to do as they near the halfway point of the season. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane takes a look at the coaches’ tape, and zeroes in on areas where quarterback Jalen Hurts still needs to improve.

Plus, ahead of a potential matchup with Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell joins Jeff for this week’s “Pick Six” segment. They talk about nicknames, family, and favorite movies.

00:00 Jalen Hurts film study

12:01 Where’s Jordan Davis?

17:00 “Pick Six” with Quinyon Mitchell

24:11 Vindication for Nick Sirianni

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season.

The consensus within the Philadelphia Eagles was virtually unanimous: it wasn’t pretty, but they got what they needed against the lowly Cleveland Browns - a win. The result nudged the 3-2 Eagles back above .500, and brought them within a half-game of first place in the NFC East. All good things, right? Yes, but the seemingly impulsive actions of head coach Nick Sirianni overshadowed the Eagles’ success. What did Sirianni’s back-and-forth with the crowd in the closing moment of the fourth quarter say about his ability to handle his emotions? How did members of the organization feel about his antics? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane does some digging…

Plus, ahead of Saquon Barkley’s first trip back to MetLife Stadium to face his former team, the New York Giants, the star running back joins Jeff for a “Pick Six” segment and dishes on Penn State culture, Philadelphia area golf clubs, and what he wants to do after his NFL playing career.

00:00 Team sources label Sirianni's behavior "embarrassing"

16:01 'Pick Six' with Saquon Barkley

27:23 Hurts, Sirianni relationship showing signs of progress

Oh, and here’s the link Jeff referenced in the episode about the time Barkley torched the Eagles in 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D4oRMI0uCQ

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. New for this season, look for fresh episodes to drop weekly in the days following every Eagles’ game.