unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

94WIP Philadelphia
  • 4.8 (134)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Hosted by Jeff McLane, unCovering the Birds brings you stories you might not have heard about the football team that makes you bleed green. McLane has spent the last decade and a half breaking news, digging up scoops, and delivering readers of The Philadelphia Inquirer award-winning Philadelphia Eagles coverage. On unCovering the Birds, he’ll take you behind the scenes and into the world of the Birds beat with exclusive access and insider perspective. unCovering the Birds is presented by Wawa. The podcast is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. You can listen to unCovering the Birds on the Audacy app, Inquirer.com/podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter, and read more of his work at inquirer.com/author/mclane_jeff/.

  1. 2d ago

    The A.J. Brown trade - were the Eagles winners or losers? | Reaction & analysis

    A.J. Brown is officially an Eagle no more! We knew the move was coming for weeks, if not months, but that doesn't make the departure of the Pro Bowl wide receiver and Super Bowl champion any less jarring. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane and Dave Murphy react to general manager Howie Roseman's trade with the New England Patriots. unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

    26 min

  2. 6d ago

    OTA recap and reactions | Practice plays, press conferences, and projections

    Feast your ears and eyes! This week's organized team activities in South Philadelphia marked the first look at the 2026 edition of the Eagles. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane and Olivia Reiner check in and report on the sounds and sights from practices and press conferences that could offer clues about the direction the Eagles are headed as preparations begin for next season. 00:00 OTA’s are here and it’s time to react 01:45 Parsing through Jalen Hurts’ first offseason comments about A.J. Brown 07:44 More about Hurts and leadership 15:06 First impressions of Sean Mannion’s offense 24:24 From Andrew Mukuba to the offensive line, recapping noteworthy practice takeaways 36:48 Will A.J. Brown be here after June 1st? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

    39 min
  3. Ertz keeps the faith | How struggles led beloved tight end to find a higher calling

    May 21

    Ertz keeps the faith | How struggles led beloved tight end to find a higher calling

    By all accounts, Zach Ertz is one of the most beloved players in modern Eagles history. Not only does he rank statistically as the top tight end to ever play for the team, he caught the decisive touchdown to bring Philadelphia its first Super Bowl victory, earned multiple Pro Bowl selections, and was regarded as a locker room leader. But for as strong a mark as he left on the city, Ertz had a couple tough moments with the franchise, experiences that caused him to look inward and face his demons. During a recent visit with The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, the 35-year old Ertz reflected on how finding strength through faith helped him overcome an embarrassing mistake and bring greater balance to his life. 00:00 The infamous olé 06:00 Overcoming shame 12:04 Finding faith 22:15 A frosty, tense finish to a memorable run 32:00 Could there be a comeback? LINKS - Jeff’s feature on Zach Ertz: https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/zach-ertz-knee-injury-rehab-hall-of-fame-20260413.html - Zach Ertz’s olé block on Cincinnati Bengal Vontaze Burfict: https://x.com/CrossingBroad/status/805477126141079553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E805477126141079553%7Ctwgr%5Ec2e4d682ec7b00e13d68f4f9414773542e629d98%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fjawnville.com%2F2016%2F12%2F05%2Fzach-ertz%2F unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

    35 min

  4. May 4

    From first-time players to new coaches, the earliest of impressions | Eagles rookie camp recap

    The Eagles held a rookie minicamp over the weekend, which means that, for the first time this offseason, there are actual on-field football things to talk about! The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Olivia Reiner were on hand, and share what they learned from practice observations and locker room conversations. Plus, Jeff gives context to the recent departures of two key members of general manager Howie Roseman’s front office staff. 00:00 Eagles rookies report to camp! 01:26 Olivia’s [very brief] takeaways from A.J. Brown’s youth football camp 02:15 Analyzing the Makai Lemon first-round pick and some early indicators of his intangibles 11:33 The intrigue surrounding second-round tight end selection Eli Stowers 19:50 Will the Jonathan Greenard trade pay dividends? 25:08 Loose ends about later-round acquisitions 31:05 What the departures of Alec Halaby and Bryce Johnston mean for the Eagles' front office unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

    46 min

  5. Apr 20

    How should the Eagles attack the draft? | Analysis with Devin Jackson

    The Eagles have a solid stash of draft picks (8) and, for a team just one season removed from winning the Super Bowl, a lot of positions that need to be addressed. Several elite members of the offensive line could be on the verge of retirement, while the wide receiver corps appears destined to lose a dynamic member. After bolstering the defense in the early rounds of the draft in recent years, will general manager Howie Roseman pivot this spring? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Devin Jackson combine their reporting and analysis to forecast how the Eagles might attack the 2026 NFL Draft, which gets underway Thursday in Pittsburgh. 00:00 How should the Eagles attack the draft? 03:45 Offensive line priorities and options 12:33 The latest on A.J. Brown and potential trade ripple effects on draft 19:07 Slim chance at top tight end 30:51 But what about the defensive prospects… 41:57 Finding third-day gems 45:38 Could there be…a quarterback worth considering? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

    51 min

  6. Apr 10

    Talking A.J. Brown, the draft, and more Eagles football with the Gov | Josh Shapiro interview

    Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is a die-hard Eagles fan, and just like you, he’s got takes on the offseason, A.J. Brown, Jalen Hurts, and stadium plans. By the nature of his day job, however, he’s also ecstatic that Pittsburgh will become the epicenter of the NFL universe in two weeks, when the Steel City hosts the draft. It marks the second time in 10 years the Commonwealth has welcomed the marquee event. Which positions does Shapiro think the Eagles should address? How about whether the team needs to move on from Brown? Shapiro discusses these topics and more, including owner Jeffrey Lurie’s recent remarks about Lincoln Financial Field’s future, with The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane. 00:00 Talking Birds with the Gov 02:14 How will a Philly guy be received in Pittsburgh during the NFL Draft? 06:30 What should Howie Roseman do when the Eagles are on the clock? 09:54 “I freaking love [A.J. Brown] wants the ball” 11:27 Jalen Hurts and the treatment he gets from fans 14:29 Special Eagles memories 19:06 Reaction to Jeffrey Lurie’s recent stadium remarks 22:12 Predictions for the Eagles’ 2026 season unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

    25 min

  7. Apr 2

    Truths (and half-truths?) from Jeffrey Lurie's annual address | Owners meeting recap

    The annual NFL owners meetings has become the only event of year the Philadelphia Eagles formally make owner Jeffrey Lurie available to meet with reporters. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane covered the event, and puts Lurie’s recent remarks - from new stadium speculation to Lurie’s commitment to quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver AJ Brown - under the microscope with columnist Marcus Hayes. 00:00 Truths (and lies?) from Jeffrey Lurie’s owners meeting press conference 02:00 Quick comments about the possibility of a new stadium 05:07 Is Nick Sirianni as safe as Lurie suggests? 12:22 How committed is Lurie to Jalen Hurts? 18:57 What Lurie’s remarks reveal about A.J. Brown’s future? 26:09 Jeff and Marcus react to ESPN’s report about Hurts 34:38 Relitigating Hurts’ impact in the locker room 44:20 Hurts’ fit in Sean Mannion’s offense unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

    56 min

  8. Mar 23

    Last ride for the vets on offense? | What the Eagles' offseason strategy is signaling

    Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has stuck to a steady, mostly predictable formula this offseason: add depth to appropriate places via pragmatic, sensible signings. Whether his strategy stays the same moving forward remains unclear. Just last week, Roseman dipped his toes into a growing NFL trade market, and with the draft weeks away, along with the flurry of transactions that typically comes with it, perhaps he’ll find opportunities to mix up his approach. This storyline is one of several The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane plans to follow during the league’s annual meeting at the end of the month. He and colleague Mike Sielski look ahead to the questions and issues Roseman, head coach Nick Sirianni, and owner Jeffrey Lurie might face in Phoenix, AZ. 00:00 What Howie Roseman’s offseason strategy signals about the offense’s timeline 10:37 Early thoughts on how the Eagles might approach the draft 13:55 Obligatory A.J. Brown update 24:32 Sydney Brown: from 3rd-round pick to trade asset 31:32 Why EDGE rusher and the pass rush have become the biggest defensive concerns of the offseason 38:36 Could Roseman have a trick up his sleeve? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

    43 min
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4.8
out of 5
134 Ratings

About

Hosted by Jeff McLane, unCovering the Birds brings you stories you might not have heard about the football team that makes you bleed green. McLane has spent the last decade and a half breaking news, digging up scoops, and delivering readers of The Philadelphia Inquirer award-winning Philadelphia Eagles coverage. On unCovering the Birds, he’ll take you behind the scenes and into the world of the Birds beat with exclusive access and insider perspective. unCovering the Birds is presented by Wawa. The podcast is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. You can listen to unCovering the Birds on the Audacy app, Inquirer.com/podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Jeff McLane on Twitter, and read more of his work at inquirer.com/author/mclane_jeff/.

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