Senior Writer, @TheAthletic Covers the Eagles and the NFL 📚: UNDERDOGS, The Franchise, Leap Year 🎙️: The Ringer's Philly Special zberman@theathletic.com
Philadelphia, PA
Joined June 2009
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Leap Year: The Philadelphia Eagles' Ascent to Super Bowl Champions
...Relive the Super Bowl season, go behind the scenes of the unforgettable moments, and learn about the characters who helped make 2024 the Eagles' Leap Year.
a.co/d/8ArRxLo
Saquon Barkley was limited. So was Jonathan Greenard.
Full injury report...
DNP – LB Jihaad Campbell (hamstring/quad), DB Michael Carter (abdomen), WR Britain Covey (knee), CB Jonathan Jones (hamstring), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle)
LIMITED – RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back), K Jake Elliott (right ankle), OLB Jonathan Greenard (ankle), OLB Jalyx Hunt (knee/ankle), QB Tanner McKee (rib)
FULL – LB Zack Baun (shoulder), T Markel Bell (finger), DT Jordan Davis (thumb), G Landon Dickerson (hip), TE Dallas Goedert (knee), T Jordan Mailata (elbow), DB Kenny Moore (glute), DT Moro Ojomo (neck)
Joe Milton on how he's changed since the Week 18 game with Patriots two seasons ago: "Two years ago, since the Bills game, I feel like I've grown a lot. I've been through three organizations so far, on my third one, and I have learned three different offenses so far, by three different coaches, three different quarterback coaches as well. So I feel like every coach coaches different, and it helps because it allows you to adapt at wherever you go. Because some teams may use the same verbiage or terminology, however you want to explain it, but some teams may not. But you'll understand what they're saying because of how much information you've done took in so far over the years."
Joe Milton on his opportunity: "Just be where my feet is. Smile. I love seeing people around me smile, so just making sure everyone around me (is) smiling. ...Whatever the play call comes through my helmet, just call that play and execute."
Joe Milton: "You never know what can happen in NFL. That's kind of how I took it. Yes, I was on the practice squad, and I was just preparing for any moment that presents itself. Still, when I was at Dallas on practice squad, I was just pretty much going through the plays, going through the week like I was a starter or like I was playing, and just being ready. And that's what NFL is about: just being ready when your name is called and just preparing for those moments. And I've been preparing and still preparing for the week."
Tanner McKee on why he didn't get the same benefit of doubt with undermanned offense as others: "I think when you step on the field, you have to obviously play to the best of your ability, but you have to perform with the guys that are around you. And we have great players. We had great players on the field. And the expectation is to go out and win. And unfortunately I felt short doing that. I've got to be better and make better plays."
Zach Berman retweeted
The #Eagles Collective previews the #Giants game:
#FlyEaglesFly @RealThomasMott @ZBerm @donovanjmcnabb
FULL SHOW: youtube.com/live/LoCqvOmfo_o…
Tanner McKee on what more he could have done: "I think watching the film, just different decisions, different throws. Obviously, as a quarterback, got to take accountability for things like that. I think you have to go back and review everything that was done even throughout the week. Thought I had a great process, felt prepared. I don't have any regrets there. But I think got to go look back and be like, 'Alright, what could I have done more, and take that approach as well?'"
Tanner McKee heard from Nick Sirianni on Tuesday. Sirianni wanted the players to find out from him before it come out in the media.
"Obviously, as a competitor, would love to be out there," McKee said. "I think when things happen that are unfortunate, you have to control what you can control. Look inward, what can I do moving forward to better myself, better the team. That's the approach I'm going to have."
Zach Berman retweeted
New Philly Special!
@ZBerm on Joe Milton, Nick Foles, Eagles-Giants, and more.
Then, @daboulcliff joins for the mailbag.
And of course, another Sixers segment to end the pod.
Listen here:
open.spotify.com/episode/3jL…
(Sirianni said that on 94.1 WIP. Could have been more specific when I said “on radio”)
Nick Sirianni said on radio yesterday that he didn't need to defend himself re: accountability — ask his players.
So I did.
Here's Jordan Mailata...
"Well, starts off with a very tough team meeting. Just getting pretty much blasted in front of the whole team about your missed assignment, your mental errors, calling you out on your technique, and your assignment, assignment commitment... He does that time and time again. And it's not even just the game; it's practice. Team meeting first thing in the morning, it's going over our mental errors, going over even the drills that we're doing, punching the ball out, tackle drills, catching drills. He's calling everyone out. Even the coaches. He does a very good job of not just holding the players accountable, but also the coaches. too. If a drill isn't good enough, he takes that upon himself, like, 'that's my fault.' ...He does a really good job. Does a really good job of holding everyone accountable — especially himself."
On the first day of 2025 training camp after winning Super Bowl MVP, Jalen Hurts found Merrill Reese and presented him with a pair of white Air Jordan cleats.
On the cleats, Hurts wrote the following:
To M. Reese
You saw it when no one else could …
Love always.
...I asked Hurts about this gesture that summer.
“Some people see it and some people don’t — simple as that,” Hurts said. “And he’s one that saw it, saw it before I ever stepped on the field. And so to bring that to light and to feel that support from him and his enthusiasm as he calls our games, that’s stellar for me. That’s almost nostalgic. Because I know he’s called so many other greats before my time has come.”
nytimes.com/athletic/6592812…
Enjoyed this video. Speaks volumes about Merrill Reese's career — and demonstrate the respect that Jalen Hurts holds for Merrill.
A Moro Ojomo deal is in here...
Spent the last week simulating negotiations for trade candidates. Our awesome beat writers @TheAthletic represented the teams they cover. I facilitated the exchange of offers until we ended up at deal or no deal.
The result: Mock Trade Deadline.
nytimes.com/athletic/7754446…
Zach Berman retweeted
What the switch from Tanner McKee to Joe Milton says about the Eagles
nytimes.com/athletic/7754717…
Dickerson: "I mean, look — whatever propaganda stuff gets put out, I don't know. It's really not up to me. I've said it a lot of times: I love this team, I love this city, it's my home right now. Really, all I care about is playing the Giants on Sunday."