PHLY Philadelphia Eagles Podcast - Eagles Commanders NFC Championship game shifts into focus | PHLY Eagles Podcast

Episode Date: January 21, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles defeat of the Los Angeles Rams high is starting to wear off and the upcoming NFC Championship game starts shifting more into focus. Jalen Hurts & Jayden Daniels square off in the first NFC East Championship matchup since 1987! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello and happy Tuesday to all out there. Welcome in to the PHLY Eagles podcast presented by our friends over at Bet365. Use promo code PHLY 365 at sign up and you can find out why. It's never ordinary at Bet365. Obviously I am not Bo Wolf, but I am here for a special Tuesday edition of the PhD Eagles podcast, Rich Hoffman, my normal Wednesday, host and Zach Berman joins us in studio. What up, fellas? What's up, man? Awesome. Awesome to be here with you guys. It's great to be on set as opposed to on the other side of the screen. And you're saying you're not Bo Wolf. There's there's nothing long. I'll tell you that. That's fired. Yes, welcome in. Eagles Hall of Famer Trey Thomas is going to join us a little bit later this hour. But Zach, it's great to be in studio with you. you're fresh off the Vic Fangio and Kellynne Moore press conferences down at the Novacare Center. We'll dive into some of the nitty-gritty of it.

But I think the number one question on every Eagles fan's mind is, any updates on Jalen Hertz? Yes. So I asked Nick Siriani yesterday about both J-1 Hertz and Quinyan Mitchell. And Nick's answer was basically those guys are going to do everything that they can to be in top form. He certainly didn't make it seem as if there's nothing to worry about here. the Eagles are on the practice field for the first time tomorrow. They're going to play. Or I should say this.

Jalen's going to play. Sure. I don't quite know yet about Quinyan Mitchell. My guess is he'll push to play. The question more is, is how will they be when they're out there? You saw Jalen was hindered, and this knee injury is not one to dismiss. I think this is, I think this will affect them. Now, the difference is you can go into the week with a game plan and build around that accordingly.

but this to me is the dominant topic of the week. And I'm curious to how much he'll practice, what he'll say about it. I also asked Nick why they went with Kenny Pickett as the number two as opposed to Tanner McKee. Because I know this was a question went to the way McKee finished the year. And he did say that McKee played really well.

He said Pickett's who they've gone with all year. They liked the way Pickett looked when he's in there. But I am, and I might be getting ahead of my. myself here. I'm curious to see if they'll have all three active this this week, not just pick, I'm sorry, not just McKee in an emergency role, but if they'll make sure that they're covered here, considering, you don't know about Hertz's, you, you have Hertz's status. At least if he's out there, you don't know what he'll, he'll be like and pick it. If he's struggling, if the ribs are an issue, you want to have, you want to have McKee,

not just as the emergency action. That's, yeah, I mean, that's something to look at. I mean, Zach, this is pretty unprecedented territory for Jalen Hertz. I looked up his injury history. It is his first lower body injury since 2021. Yes. I believe that was the Gardner Minshu game in New Jersey when Gardner Minshue was like fighting with his dad

after getting away in or whatever. In the bomber jacket. I mean, the guy, obviously, Jalen is super tough. You know, he's dealt with some concussion stuff. He's dealt with the finger stuff this year. But this is a different type of thing. And obviously for a quarterback who's, I mean, his mobility is a weapon, right?

It's a weapon in the run game. We saw it last game against Washington. I think after Jalen leaves the game, I had the numbers right here. Sequin ran for 41 yards on his last 22 carries. We saw it last week when Jalen in the first quarter runs for that touchdown. That is something I am a bit worried about. Did Kellan Moore talk about that at all today? What are the differences if Jalen is less mobile than he usually is?

Yeah, he did say, though. that they'll be able to plan for it, that going, that they'll see what he's, they'll see what he's like that there are certain ways you build a game plan with an injured quarterback. So he did, he did acknowledge that. And you are absolutely correct. Now, I will say last year he was, he was, he was the same knee or a different knee? This is his left knee here. Last year was his right knee. Well, that's the thing. He was never on the injury report officially. He was dealing with it. And he, he kind of let us know he was dealing with something, but he didn't missed time with it. But yeah, I mean, in terms of the type of injury that's going to be on the report,

this will be on the report this week, is my guest. And the left knee for, you think for a right-handed quarterback, sure. You know, so it's something that I personally think it is the biggest story this week. Yeah, I mean, his mobility is a, is a huge plus for the Eagles. I mean, that safety is a play, maybe he doesn't take. I thought that play call in that situation was in hindsight. Yeah, Kellmore said that's on him. Yeah, I'm sure he wants that one back. I mean, it was like the first series right after the knee and you do that in your own end zone without that escapability. And then that design bootleg where they end up losing yards and go like, I'm sure there's some things Kellan Moore wants back.

Did he address any of, you know, self-reflection on Sunday at all? Yeah, he absolutely said that he wants some of those plays back. He was talking specifically about the safety. He said that's on him. I did ask Kellyn about, yeah, why the deep drops for Jalen. Sure. In the case of the safety and the case of the sack on the penultimate drive. And he said there are certain things you're trying to get into within the game plan.

I personally think you have to account for the fact that he's injured, the fact that they're running the ball well, the situation in the game. You know, that's where you have to operate with nuance as a play caller. So he did acknowledge it. He wasn't dismissive of it, but he wasn't like bearing his soul. He just said, he said there are plays in that, there are calls in that game. He wants back. There are certain things within a play you can always look at, but that's on him. Because I think that the out was given him at one point on the safety.

Should she don't have thrown that the Dallas got her. And he said there's things within a play, but that's on him. Yeah, the screen grabs going around. Sometimes, you know, the masses overreact to screen grabs because you don't know what first read is, what second read is, you know, whatever. But it did appear Dallas Goddard was breaking open for a first down there. Jalen definitely would have taken off if he was helpful. Sure.

I think so. I'm not sure he would have gotten out of the grasp of that defender. But he got out of the pocket to throw it out of bounds. He would have made a better effort than that. And like I'm not a run-the-ball guy, but in both those situations, I thought, like, you know, the one thing you don't want to do when you're backed up in the five-yard line is give two points. Yeah. And that's where, you know, I'll push back on the Eagles.

Like no turnovers, no turnovers. That's a turnover with two points on top of it. Exactly. So I didn't, that play called me, if you're going to pass, make it a quick drop. Sure. Like not into the end zone. And then because jail and can't escape, now the blocking wasn't great on that play, but still, don't leave that up for chance. And then the same thing, too, when you're in four-minute offense, you're in second and seven.

Don't have a play that can lose 12 yards, right? Like at least keep yourself in third and manageable. So I actually, I might be the only one who at least understood the idea of throwing. Because, you know, everybody said if you give the ball to Sequin three times, you win the game there. Honestly, if you look at the stats in that play or throughout the game, right, he hits the two home runs. He was like 2.7 yards per carry the rest of the game. It wasn't really that much of a success rate game. Now, you might say, okay, don't run the play that loses 12 yards.

Don't run PA boot where he could lose all that yards. maybe run a screen, something a little more high percentage. I actually liked the idea of throwing there. I thought the Rams had a lot of negative plays on defense. I at least understood that one. It just didn't work out. I thought the deep drop in the end zone was clearly. That was the worst call to me, at least.

Zach, Rich, now on the other topic, my man Q, Quignon Mitchell, is obviously going to be another big storyline this week. You guys have been around locker rooms and athletes a lot more than I have. I got very excited when I heard after the game that Quinnion Mitchell said, nah, I'll be good. I'm going to be back out there. How much do you believe a player when they say something like that in the moment, fresh coming off the high of a game versus the, you know, probably tough week ahead?

Yeah, I think the positive in that is that you interpret it's not a long-term injury. Yeah. That when a player's saying that, it's not the type of thing that's going to shelve them for six weeks or a month. And it's, or like a season ending thing that would require surgery. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be able to play seven days later. But you have to see functionally how's that shoulder reacting to it. Now, if it's a stinger, it's one thing. If there's something more structural there, you have to be careful with it.

Now, I will say the Eagles were happy with the way Isaiah Rogers played. One thing that Vic Fangio said is they really liked Rogers in the spring and summer, broke his hand in camp. When he came back, they didn't think he was quite the same player. and he's since returned to the form that he showed during the spring and summer. So I don't think it's, well, it is a major dropout going from Mitchell to Rogers. Sure. But, you know, Slay's something Darius said after the game is that Rogers is a starting caliber corner in this league.

And there was a long period of time during the summer when I thought Rogers would be the starter for this team. But Quinnian Mitchell, to answer the question, when he expresses optimism there, I think that's still, it's like, let's see. Let's wait and see because that, that to me means this isn't something that requires surgery, but it still requires observation throughout the week. How did you make it through the game without Quinn Young? It was tough, but to your point, I think Isaiah Rogers played pretty damn well. You know, just missed that interception. I thought the fumble return was huge there, a great spin move to get like an extra 30 yards.

I thought he stepped up and played a really good game. It was it was such an emotional roller coaster, Rich. wrote about it in your newsletter, which, by the way, let's get a little thumbs up in the chat for Rich's newsletter. It's phenomenal. It's free. Tell a friend, tell a family member, tell a neighbor. It's on LPHLY.com. Subscribe to it. It's sincerely. It's awesome. I know you wrote that like, you know, apologies to my neighbors below me and my cat for what I was going through. I think me and Julia were the two here in the office watching the game emotionally going through it. So there was so much like kind of distraction emotionally that I was okay. Obviously.

I didn't want to lose my main Q, but like so much else was going on that I kind of lost focus on Q. Isaiah Rogers is definitely a good backup. I don't know. Like it's crazy how the Eagles have revamped this entire defense. And credit to Howie in the front office, because that was, that was not a move this off season. That was a move a year and a half ago. I think Kili Ringo is a good backup, sure. Like, okay, probably not on the same level as Isaiah Rogers. But I mean, Isaiah Rogers, even on the catch that DeMarcus Robinson had, like he's running right with him. Sure. Right?

Like, he's not a guy that I'm expecting to get toasted in those big spots. So, I mean, obviously, like, the drop off from Q is real, right? Yeah. He has proven to be an excellent corner, somebody who a lot of times the quarterback doesn't even look his way for most of the games already in his first year. But yeah, I mean, like Isaiah Rogers is about as good as you can do in that spot, as a backup corner. And credit to him, every time he comes in the game, they test him. And I thought, what was it, two weeks ago?

I forget what game it was in particular. He came in for just a couple of. couple plays, and they went right at him in the end zone. And there was a nice pass break up by him. Isaiah Rogers has answered the bell as best a backup can this year. And they'll continue to attack him, too. That's the way it works, and that's fine. Yeah.

You know, I feel okay about that. Yeah, the one thing I'll say, though, is you said quarterbacks aren't testing Coyne. I mentioned one quarterback who did was Jaden Daniels. I thought the worst game he played this year or the game way. It was the one legit touchdown he let up. Yeah, the game down there in Washington. So I think that I don't want to say that's what it will look like on Sunday.

But this is going to be that the Washington passing game, to me, is your biggest concern going into this game is can you pressure Daniels? Are you, how are you on Terry McLaren? You know, Diami Brown's really emerged during this past month. You saw, you know, they have guys like Zakeas, guys like James and Crowder who just, who are just making plays for them. Zach Ertz has been really reliable. and then the way Jaden Daniels is the way he's playing. You know, Vic Fangio said about Jane Daniels today. He was asked about a young quarterback like that.

He said, young on birth certificate and not young on film. Well, he's only, what, a year younger than Jalen Hertz? That's true, yeah, because he was a five-year guy in college, right? Yeah, so he is, you know, I think your brain fully develops at age 25, so he's like right there. So his brain is... I have no excuse, Daniel. Yeah. But, no, it's good... Look, Jaden Daniels, Vic Fangio, was...

He was asked, he was asked, is this the best rookie quarterback you've seen? He said probably so because like, rookie quarterbacks never started in the Super Bowl before. I was just going to say, you're a student of the games, Zach, rookie quarterbacks in conference championship games are 0 and 5. And a lot of those rookies are, you know, Joe Flacko and Ben Rothsburger, guys that have gotten it done later. Do you put much stocker credence in the rookie kind of, you know, atmosphere? It's going to be at Lincoln Financial Field. I know he's cool as a cucumber. The guy's supremely talented.

I hate that we're going to have to deal with him in the NFC East for a decade plus. But how much weight do you, Rich, and you, Zach, put on that rookie quarterback in this spot? I'll let you go first here. I feel like it's different from some of the names you mentioned. Like you mentioned Rathlisberger. That Steelers team was loaded. Oh, yeah. They ran the ball.

You know, it was a very kind of specific game plan for him. Like the quarterback is driving the bus here on this team. So this is. He changed the whole franchise. This is completely different, I think. Yeah, I am blown away, frankly, by the way, he's playing this year. I don't think the rookie quarterback thing is what would give me optimism for the Eagles. I think it's more, I just think the Eagles are a far more talented team than with

Washington. That said, I did not see Washington going into Detroit and playing like that. And this has been, this is not just one game. You know, this has been the past month and a half. Yeah. And you talk about Jayden Daniels, he is so money in late. game situations. You saw that firsthand against the Eagles. Obviously

the hell marry. How many times this year has Jane Daniels led them downfield? You saw it against Tampa Bay in the in the playoffs. He is defying precedent for the way a rookie plays. If we were not a PHLI, if we were at WSTN, let's say, like is that what it would be?

Yeah, Washington. I've been thinking about all the Maybe WDC. I don't know. Yeah, they might work the D.C in there. WDC. Yeah, WDC. Yeah, W.S.D.C. I don't know.

We'll workshop it. We'll workshop it, yeah. But if we were doing a commander show, then the reason why people in Washington would be optimistic is because Jaden Daniels, like, you can't even look at the historical president because he is defying historical precedents. Yeah, well, I will tell you two of my groomsmen, two of my best friends in this world. or commander sickos. The optimism, I think they're guarding themselves emotionally, but they think this is an Eagles game. These are college friends?

Yeah, because I did go to school down in D.C. I love in D.C. Great city. Yeah, I love D.C. You made your bones there. Bo will push back when I say that. It's a great city. I love D.C. too.

And we're going to continue talking about this game. And reminder, Trey Thomas is going to be joining us at 240 coming up. We got a little Bo Wolf in the chat action. Love that. Let's get some thumbs up for Bo Wolf as we tell you about some of our friends here at PHLY. And I have been an Ace Hardware Devote for a long time. Why? Just because it's better than the box stores. And the best part of Ace Hardware, when you walk in the door, not only are you greeted by someone, but you're greeted by somebody that knows exactly every project you're working on. They can tell you what parts you need. They can even tell you how to go about doing it. So why would you not want those same

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friends at bet three six five zach would you say is it fair to say that beau wolf is the zach burman agitator uh yeah i think that's probably fair to say that's uh that's uh that's very accurate yes i think we all know what bo is up to on his off day if you've seen a viral post that's going around the city of philadelphia i'll leave that for you to find uh but let's get to uh the other side football and Vic Fangio. Well, we talked a little bit about both, but let's talk about the defense and Vic Fangio because Jaden Daniels is the story this weekend. I'm terrified of this guy.

I'll be honest. I saw somebody in the chat say, you know, Jamie, don't be scared of Jaden Daniels. Somebody else right around that said Jaden Daniels is spooky. What did Vic Fangio have to say about the rookie phenom? He's obviously not going to tell you much game plan, much strategy, but what did Vic kind of have to say here about about Jaden. Yeah, really the the veteran ability

that he's that he's playing with. Like I said the line that's going to really go viral, but it's going to catch steam is when he said he's young by years but not where he's young on his birth certificate but not on the film and that's an accurate statement. And the thing with Jaden Daniels is

you know, if he was, well, when he's playing teams, I haven't seen him yet you're giving all this praise and it can seem like platitudes. In the Eagles case, they've seen it firsthand. And I should also add, the first time they saw him on that Thursday night game, Jaden Daniels was coming off an injury or was dealing with an injury, and he wasn't quite the same. I think what they saw in that second game is probably more accurate to what the, is more representative of what they will see on Sunday. Now, the circumstances are different.

It's a postseason game. I get it now. It's not going to be too cold. It's going to like in the 40s probably. Not like today. Yeah, not like today. And you're not doing with the conditions that you dealt with this past Sunday's game. So my guess is that, well, it's not like, like, Jayden Daniels is where the Eagles are starting and focusing all the attention this week. It's not like, all right, stop Brian Roberts. Yeah, sure.

It's not like this offensive lines, real. It's Jane and Daniels, his ability to make plays. And the other thing I will add to this too, and I ask Vic Fangio about it is you often have to defend him for four downs, right? I mean, this is a team, and you saw this in the Lions game. by volume they're not one of the highest you know in terms of in terms of going for fourth downs or more

because they've been so successful at third down yeah but they are so but when they get there i think like 20 22 where they're about during the season uh they are they're so they you're forced to play four down football and dick fanjo acknowledged that it affects the way you call third down and what so he he was asked about what makes jaden dan so tough and it's it's like it's the movement ability really adds to it. And Cliff Kingsbury, to his credit, has done such a good job calling the games for Jane Daniels. And I also think that's a subplot we can get into this week, is that the Eagles spoke to Cliff Kingsbury for the job. I think the Eagles, at one point, were interested in Cliff for this job. Cliff's been outstanding with Jane and Daniels

in Washington. I think they've won two games, at least over the last month, just because Dan Quinn is so aggressive in fourth down. I mean, I think you can argue last week they might have won anyway with all the turnovers, but they had some huge fourth down conversions in that game. And then the Sunday night game against Atlanta, when they clinched a playoff spot, they were awesome on fourth down in that game as well. So yeah, it's going to be like 40 degrees.

I think Dan Quinn will be able to wear the backwards hat for that one too. You wouldn't have been able to wear the backwards hat today. I mean, that would have been quite a move. That would have been like Jalen. No. And tomorrow's supposed to be colder. I think it's going down to seven degrees tomorrow. As hat guys, I can see both you guys are hat guys. It's a nice way of saying follically challenged.

I appreciate that. Yeah. No, no, HAC guys. Love it. Love HACG. The big hat guys. I didn't put that together.

I just thought you just like the way it looks. Yeah. He's the man in the hat. Not what's under me. Are you backwards? Are you backwards? I had a backwards stage in my life where I did. I collected MLB hats.

So, like, I had old school brewers, Orioles. Like, I loved the old school baseball hat. So I had a phase where I went backward, but only fitted caps. Like, I would never wear a... Okay, the adjustable backwards. The adjustable backwards.

No way. I'd wear the adjustable backwards sometimes. But I think at this point, I'm pretty much keeping it straightforward, which is funny because Dan Quinn is a lot older than me. And there is a lot of like, how do you do fellow kids with that? Anyway, he's been really good for them. He has been. As much as I make fun of that. Yeah, I mean, if it's not for, you know, Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota, Dan Quinn is probably, Zach, I don't know if you were given a vote.

Where would you have voted Dan Quinn for kind of coach of the year, Canada to see this year? Top four? Yeah, certainly top. And look, you don't have to sell me on Dan Quinn. When we were doing our coach rankings before the season, I was real high on Washington staff, and I was getting a little pushback on it. Hey, I'm not going to stop you here, Zach.

Peacock away. Yeah, no. Washington and Pittsburgh, those were the two? Yeah, those are two teams that I was getting pushback on. This is my view on Dan Quinn. I think one of the more underrated coaching jobs I've seen or the job that doesn't get as much attention is coming off that Super Bowl collapse in Atlanta.

You know, they lose the 28. the three lead. The next year, they go on the road in the postseason and win and they almost beat the Eagles. And it's really hard to get back after you lose the Super Bowl. As Eagles saw, you know, and as you saw in San Francisco this year, I think I've spoken to players who swear by him. Also, one thing that he did after the Atlanta job that I found as like, I'm kind of like a nerd about self-improvement, he spoke to every, he reached out to every player he coached, I believe, and wanted to get their perspective on what he could have done differently. I think there were a lot of teams in the past who've made mistakes not hiring Dan Quinn

because either you're going for the play caller or there's like a stigma maybe sometimes against the second chance coach. Dan Quinn's been to the Super Bowl. Dan Quinn has had a lot of success in Atlanta. He's put together good staffs. I'm not surprised by Dan Quinn. No, I'm surprised during the NFC championship. Sure.

But I'm not surprised that Dan Quinn's had the success that he's had. How much credit does our old friend Brian Johnson, the passing game coordinator? Sean Desai last week, Brian Johnson this week. How much does he deserve? And if Cliff Kingsbury was to get a job and move on, is Brian Johnson the frontrunner there to become the OC? We've seen that story before. That's a good question. Probably a good chance, right?

Yeah, no, I believe their quarterback coach is Tavita Pritchard. Is that right? The former Stanford quarterback. Yeah, let's go with that. Sure. Sounds great. So, but Brian Johnson's the senior passing-game coordinator. Yeah, I mean, look, Brian Johnson, I'll say this, is that I'm not absolving him from the way last year went.

Is that who it is to Peter Richard? Okay. I'm not absolving him. As if I had to look down there. Yeah, yeah, I trust. I said it. I'm not absolving him for the way last year went, but I think his hands were tied behind his back with the office. I agree.

That's fair. And so if he were, if Cliff Kingsbury got another job. And by the way, Cliff Kingsbury hasn't interviewed elsewhere yet. you know you there was connections to him with the bears but that obviously went to ben johnson there was speculation with the jets but that's my my presumption that's going to go to erin glenn maybe the cowboys are lurking but i'm guessing cliff kingsbury's back but i think brian johnson uh i said this at the time and i stand by this i still think brian johnson's going to be a good coach in the nfl whether it's offense i still think his head coaching material um and i i i don't know his level

of involvement in the success in Washington, but it's not surprising to me that a team he's working with has success. I also think with the Eagles, the past games, inconsistencies, let's call it that this year, that Brian Johnson, maybe his body of work looks a little bit better.

You look a little bit kinder on that. Speaking of the Cowboys, that great game for their fans, Kellyn Moore on one side, Dan Quinn, on the other side. I saw a great meme going around. It was Jaden, Daniel, the last time the Cowboys made the NFC Chamber, championship game and now the commander's making it.

They're the only team since 1996. The Cowboys are not make a championship game. That's very great. But Jaden, Daniels, and Jalen Hertz have both been born, gone to high school, college, and now the NFL careers since the Cowboys have last made the championship game. So that's pretty funny to think about. Yeah, I think I don't think Dan Quinn and Kellan Moore were the problems. No, Dan Quinn didn't get fired, but I don't think Dan Quinn and Kellan Moore were the problems in Dallas.

Yeah, I mean, coordinators are your high. hired to be fired as scapegoats, right? Like, that's ultimately what's going to happen. And then Joe Witt, Jr. He's the decorinator with the commanders. He was, uh, the position coach. What's that? Yeah.

He was with the cowboys. Uh, yeah, I mean, this is, the, the commanders are just, it's, it's a formidable opponent. I just don't think that they have the talent to match up with the Eagles. I think if they beat the Eagles, it's before the reason we mentioned that they got a hot quarterback and a hot quarterback. It's kind of like, you know, the goalie in, in hockey or, you know, standing on his head or you know the ace in baseball is that I say it all the time it's not a seven game

series here it's one game and if you have a hot quarterback in one game and you saw this against Detroit I still think if the lions play the commanders in a seven game series the lions probably went four to one uh that's my personal view but it would be awful seven games series it would take two months yeah it's kind of like the college football playoff right um but um watch this anymore but the uh the the in one game when a quarterback gets hot or you turn the ball over, that's the biggest threat to the Eagles is Quignan looking good. Oh, I'm sorry.

Is Jane Daniels looking good and the injuries to Jalen Hertz and Quina Mitchell affecting the Eagles? Yeah, you said it. And I do want to ask you about Darius Slay and, you know, how he's playing. But you just mentioned the turnovers. Wild, you know, how NFL just goes. It's a way, it's a league of trends. And sometimes it's cyclical. And sometimes it's just weird.

And one of the trends this postseason, this past weekend, every team that won didn't outgain their opponents, but they won the turnover battles. And I think that's, unfortunately, Jaden Daniels is also very good at this, but Jalen Hertz's ability to protect the football. Now I know the safety is technically a turnover. I feel like this game is just simply going to come down to turnovers because the Rams, that changed the game on Sunday.

And if it's not for Jalen Carter, punching that out and saving me and Rich's sanity. I know you're a professional and you're in the box. You know, me and Rich are losing our damn minds over here. And Jalen Carter punches that out and it changed everything. And it almost was like, all right, here, the turnovers have begun. Apparently the Eagles didn't play in the snow. Only the Rams were affected by the snow if you listen to the national media.

But it does feel like this is just going to come down to a turnover battle on Sunday. Yeah, I mean, I don't know what it says about you when you can like start of finishing someone else's sentences, right? And I don't know if it means you think about them too much or spend too much time with them. But like I can, I'm at the point now, four years covering Nick Siriani, where like I've heard all those stories.

I can finish his sentences. If Nick's watching this, he's probably like planning a restraining order against me right now. But no, I mean, I've heard the amount of times that I've heard Nick say, the double, you know, you have to win the double positive. You have to win the double positive. And for him that that means you have to win,

the turnover differential and you have to win the explosive play differential. And since the buy week, what the Eagles have been so money in is winning the turnover differential. And they've been forcing turnovers on defense. Janwin has, what, one interception since the by week here. Now, the ball was on the ground last week and they recovered it. But yeah, like this is, it's not a coincidence. And Nick knows off the top of his head the Eagles record in games when they've won the turnover differential.

It is so impressive. And this isn't just tying. It's winning the turnover differential. It's not like, you know, it's one of those things that makes sense. But, I mean, the clip that they're winning at, it's probably like an 80, 90% clip when they win the turnover differential. That will be reinforced even more. And Washington, that's a ball hawking team. And, you know, Mikey Sandler still someone who I loved coming out of Michigan because he's a converted receiver.

he's a little raw in some areas but man he is tough and he makes plays on the ball you saw that last week they have the linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Louvo who can absolutely who can you know who can hit take the ball away Jerry's way of saying being a dirty player no I just mean they're not Bobby Wagner

they're tough they're instinctive yeah the other guy Jeremy Chin has been on top of things you know Quinn Martin's I've been you know he He was the nickel guy last year. Now he's playing safety.

They have a lot of guys who can take the ball away. And I don't love their pass rush, but I'm really impressed with what they have in the back seven right now. Yeah. And Rich, in the AFC, two of the cleanest seasons from start to finish in terms of turnovers, interceptions, fumbles, loss, sacks taking, all that stuff is Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. And it's not a coincidence that they're playing on Sunday also. No, and I mean, Lamar threw, what do you throw? Four picks this year?

and then, you know, he, the turnover issues, get them. Obviously, if Mark Andrews makes a couple plays in the fourth quarter, maybe he gets that game in overtime and they win. But yeah, no, those were definitely costly. I mean, obviously, there's a balance, right? Sure. When people say, like, take away the negative plays, well, some of those sacks might have been three-point plays in that.

Oh, yeah, yeah. Obviously, I think there was eight points basically left off the field because of penalties and sacks taken. So there is a balance, but I also, like, I completely agreed with what Bo said after the game and that, like, That was a crazy game. Just the, the snow, Jalen got hurt, there were drops, there was all this crazy stuff happening. I don't really want to analyze that game specifically, even though I do agree.

Like Stafford had more success throwing the ball as well in those conditions. But yeah, I mean, Washington gets five turnovers last week against Detroit. I mean, Detroit was moving the ball up and down the field against this team. This should be a team that you're able to run the ball against. My hope is that the Lions were just an awesome spot for Washington where you get this team. that their defense is like almost almost historically banged up. They're really, they did not have much

for Daniels who was terrific, but that's a team that had to play a track meet game against you. This Eagles defense is going to be a much different test for him. Yeah, absolutely. And Zach, one of the keys on Sun, or last Sunday, I should say, I thought Darius Slay was phenomenal. I thought he played a great game

for a guy that's 34 years old. Yeah. I mean, at 30, I was like hurting my shoulder while sleeping. So I can't imagine playing an NFL game at that level. What he's done is impressive. What did Uncle Vic have to say about Darius Slay today? So first off, so a good question.

There's some behind the scenes here on Slay. I'm in the locker room on Friday. Was this the gas can day? Yes. I love that picture. Yeah. So there's a gas tank. You know, if you ran out of gas,

what you would get to fill it up, like a small gas tank, buy his locker. Now, do you have one of these in your garage at home? No. Do you cut the grass? I'm not very handy. I'm not very handy. So, so Darius, like, so Christian, so Christian Parker, the D-Backs coach, has, you know, he puts a sign up like, you know, how much gas or like how much do you have left in the tank, right? And that's kind of like the message to slay right now.

I don't know if he's going to be back next year. His comments were at the locker. or was that yesterday? Yeah, sounds like he's, you know, considering, yeah,

this could be the swan song. He recognizes it. He says there's some gas left, but not too much gas left. He says he has kids at home. He wants to get home to be with his kids. You look at the Eagles Young Corner, so there's a chance this might be

Slay's last home game. But anyways, you're right, Slays played really well in the playoffs in particular, these past two games. He's making plays on the ball. He's been tight on coverage.

And so I asked, and that's a position where players don't age gracefully sure for him to be doing this at 34 jumps out it's wild and so i asked vick about it and vick said and i'm gonna um be careful with how i frame you're speaking a viral quote yeah vick said like he's he's like a nice you know red italian wine he gets better with age okay um and vangelo probably has enjoyed you know a glass or two of red italian wine that that come up with this reference here uh and he he he said that he keeps himself and in good shape, you know, he keeps himself

a good shape, he still moves well, and you're seeing that out there. Like, he's running the interception he had two weeks ago against Green Bay. He ran stride for stride there. His recovery speed is there. And then he also said, and this is something that I can attest for, is he said how much he enjoys the game,

and that's important too. Darius Slay loves football. Darius Lay, he's one of these guys, you know, like there's some players who aren't watching the Thursday night game. Darius Lay is watching every game. Darius Slay, Darius Lay was watching film on Quinyon Mitchell last year going into the draft. He has the corners that he likes.

So there's really something to that that Slay enjoys playing football, which might seem like an obvious statement. But the Trey Thomas, guys get to a certain point in their career where it starts to seem like a job. Darius Lay enjoys it. I was watching the game last week and thinking back to, oh, are there any eagles that played in the last Snowball in 2013? And I was like, well, BG's hurt, so he can't play. in this game. I believe Lane was a rookie in that game. But the other answer is that Darius Slay was playing

on the other side of the field in that game. I mean, it's just crazy, Zach. I wrote about this in the newsletter, but Xavier Rhodes got picked, I think, like eight or ten slots ahead of Slay in the drift. Xavier Rhodes had an excellent career. He made a pro bowl. He made, or sorry, he made three pro balls. He made an all pro team at one point. He was done playing in 2021 as a full-time player. And that's like the norm at that position. Like, that's not. crazy. The guy had an excellent career. So for Slay to be at this level for a Super Bowl contender at 34 years old, it's bonkers. Also, real quick, just like no, in the 2013 draft, when the Eagles were drafting, I think 35 overall, 36 overall, they were down to two players.

Do you know who those two players were? I have a feeling one of them was Darius Slay. And the other one was Zach Ertz and both are in this game. Wow. Yeah. That's good stuff. All right, don't go anywhere. Trey Thomas is coming up next. But first, let's tell us tell you about some of our friends here at PHLY. A few weeks back, I got my first Hello Fresh box, and I was like a kid on Christmas morning because, look, the worst part of family life is meal prepping. What do you want to make this week? What do you want to do for this? What are the kids going to eat?

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with code PHLY. Over 300,000 people have rated ShadyRays 5 stars. So use code PHLY today at ShadyRays.com. All right. This is the P.H.L.Y. Eagles podcast, Jimmy Lynch, Rich Hoffman, Zach Berman. And I haven't talked to this man in a long time. And I love him dearly. I can't wait to talk to him. Let's bring him right in. Eagles Hall of Famer Mr. Trey Thomas. All right. Let's up. Man. How's everything? Man. That's awesome, man. So good to be able to sit down and just top it up with you. How's everything? It's good. Are we currently at the art studio? You working on something? you back home. I was headed to the R-CIO. I was like, man, let me go home and get some work done. So I'm just down in my basement right now, just hanging out, watch a film. That's a beautiful collection of game balls you got behind you there, Trey? Yes, yeah, yeah. At one time my mom took one, and I went home and saw it, and I was like, hey, look, I need you to give that back.

There's way too much work to get one of those that's offensive linemen, so I need that back. I was going to say, those are probably tough to come by. But Andy always respected the offensive alignment, so maybe he was a little more prone. Yeah, no, no, because if I had a good game, Westbrook had a good game or McMan had a good game. So, you know, for us to be single, I need that on my wall. So, Trey, tell us about your experience on Sunday. I believe you were with Trot, and congratulations to your son, Jake, who's going to Lehigh to carry on the Thomas tradition of bulldozing people.

Tell us about your experience on Sunday watching with Trot at the game and all that. It was awesome, man, just sitting in there with my brother's man. My middle son, Tristan, was with me. So just being able to sit down and just taking that atmosphere, man. For anybody that says that we need to put a build a dome in Philadelphia, this is why you have an open stadium. That was such a whole field advantage being in that atmosphere. The way the field was, the way the energy was in that stadium,

you need to keep it just the way it is. I have really thoroughly enjoyed myself on Sunday. I want to ask you, Trey, first off, yeah. I would say congratulations on your son as well. I was in the locker the other day, and Lane Johnson, by his locker, has a sign up after the All-Pro ballots came out, and he's comparing himself to the first-team All-Pro, and one of the stats he has up there is Island rate, the amount of times that he's on an island. And him and Jordan Milana, this Eagles offense, those tackles are on an island more often than any other tackles in the NFL.

What does that mean for an offensive tackle when he doesn't, have help. When you go into a game and you know it's if I don't stop them here, that's a sack. I mean, that's what's expected of great tackles. I mean, Lane Johnson is a Hall of Fame of no doubt, you know, but that's what's expected when you're a good tackle. You're expected to go out there and play on the island. All the help is putting on where the center goal. So, I mean, if you're going to be the number one guy out, I enjoy my lot and Lane Johnson, they both hold their own out there and they're extremely great athletes here. Like I said, man, Lane

is a Hall of Fame of First Ballad, man, because he is just having an incredible season and has put on a really good run. And just as this offensive line as a whole, you know, I always put the 2017 Super Bowl performance as an offensive line as like one of my best performances,

like the top echelon. But right now, I think, man, this offensive line is probably the best you've ever seen in this organization. Wow, big words. You know, you mentioned Jordan Milana, and I'm actually thinking about the Jalen Hertz touchdown run where he's pulling through the hole and he has nobody to block because it's blocked so well. Trey, what are you seeing in general from this offensive line? Like obviously, Sequin Barclay, once he gets to the second level, can make guys

miss, can take it all the way to the house. But, I mean, what are you seeing from these guys working as a five-man unit and consistently getting him into those advantageous spots? One of the things that sets up the run is just how good they are in fast blockers. You know, they are really good that when you say, all right, you know what, my five have to take on your five and they get out there and they can hold their own by man, that helps because now that shows that, hey, we can pass protect. That means that you're going to have to pin out that box. And if you get out there and you play us with just five guys in the box or six guys in the box,

then you're operating at Coach Stoutland's wheelhouse because when you say, all right, man, we're going to get out here and get combination blocks. I mean, I just watch this game. You're just seeing simple inside zone runs. But when you're seeing that when you want to, to see who's dominating the line of scrimmage, watch the sideline view of a game. And when you see this offensive line, get all of that push with combination blocks right up the middle, I mean, you know, they're just mowing over guys.

And then when they have to, they can get out there and protect. And I think that's one of the things that has really taken this offensive line to the next level is just their ability to protect. And did, Big Micah? Man, that right there, what, Coach Stoutland, like, this is by far one of Coach Stoutland's best performances as a coach by what he did with Beckton. Being able to take him from a left tackle, someone that's always been a love tackle

and put them in at right guard and the way he has adjusted, and he is the one that's in charge of the silent count and everything else. That adds an extra dynamic to it. What he did with Beck then and his performance and how he's been able to hold it is just being the biggest feather in his cap.

So, Dre, on the other side of the ball for the commanders, he just mentioned right guard. They lost one of the best of the game in Sam Cosme this weekend. going up against the birds. What does that do to a unit? How difficult is that going to be for the Washington commanders to overcome? Well, it's going to be extremely difficult because, I mean,

you got an animal right down our defensive line with Jalen Carter, man. I mean, dude, like, you know, you know, I was sitting there. Like, I talked to self-Jorna before about, you know, Jerome Brown. You know, I've thrown out there, you know, I played against Reggie. I didn't lock up against him, but I was throwing that era. I never saw Jerome Brown play. man, I'll see Jalen Carter, the way he is is a disruptor in the interior of this defensive line, man.

It's good luck, you know, because I mean, that dude is an animal. You know he's going to always get a double dean, and he's going to move from side to side. So that means that the center, that controls the way your center is going to slide. When you're talking about pass protection and slide protection, it's all about which way the center goes. So if you know that the center is always going to go to Jalen Carter,

then all right, then, hey, then you got your other defensive. attackers that's going to go out there and eat against anybody else that you put inside? I'm curious about what it's like to play in a conference championship game because, you know, I've spoken to people about this. A Super Bowl is totally different in that, you know, it's a neutral site. It doesn't always seem like there's a home field advantage. But in a conference championship game, there's something about the crowd when it's going well. They're really into it.

When it's when things are bad, the crowd gets really tight. as a player, how would you describe what a conference championship game is like to play in? Because, you know, this is it. You know, this is the biggest game going into the Super Bowl. Everything is right on this. And if anybody has a pulse and they system that dope, this is the game that you're going to give everything that you've got

so you can get out there and make it to the next level. And especially with it being someone that you've already seen twice, you know, so that just adds to the dynamic. And, you know, it's kind of like, all right, that's a revenge game aspect to the, that too because the last game that was playing, you had Jail and Hurts go down. We end up losing that game. So this is something that I feel like these guys are really prepared and going to come out fired up. Trey, what do you think of, what have you seen from Jaden Daniels? What makes him so

difficult for a defense to stop just from afar? And what are the Eagles going to have to do to keep him in check this weekend? You don't have to be disciplined with your rush. I mean, I think that one of the things that's good about him is that he's just, he's a great passer. and then he's athletic and he can get up field and he can make some plays with his legs. And I think that that's one of the things that as a defense, you're going to have to be, you'll have to be disciplined with your rush lanes.

And, you know, and then Nolan Smith, you're going to have to make sure that you don't lose contain. And if you don't lose contain, that you got a looper that's coming around. But I think that one of the major thing about playing with them, the secondary, I feel, is extremely tight. So this isn't something that's foreign to our defensive front and what we'll have to do.

I think the strength of our defense is our secondary. So if we continue to do what we need to do on our secondary, with on the back end, then our defensive line to eat. So, Dr. You talked about going up against Jalen Carter, and he's ridiculous. But one of the things him and Nolan Smith and some of these Georgia guys have is that unspoken language, where they understand each other on stunts and different, you know,

variants that they can pull off on you. If you're blocking against those two, who kind of just understand each other without having to speak. How difficult is that as an offensive lineman? It makes it extremely hard, you know, because you have to start reading stances and everything else that plays into it. So it makes it extremely difficult

when you have a group that they can make a little hand signal or whatever it is that they kind of just feel vibe off of each other. And then a lot of the games that if you know, all right, so most of the time, if you know that, all right, Jalen Carter is going to get the double team, or if that's where the center is going to slide, then you know that the other side is going to be man. So then you bring your games to the man side.

So that's where it started playing in. If you start to understand, okay, all right, the center is going to come to Jalen. All right, Dan, hey, we run our game to the other side. If Nolan knows that, all right, because Jalen's on the other side, that the center's going to go there, then now you know inside moves are there because the center isn't there to help the guard to come back inside.

So I think that that's one of the things that really helps with this officer light, and understanding how everybody's trying to handle Jalen in the middle. I got to ask you about Seekwan because when I... If you weren't, I was. Yeah, because I speak to these old linemen and they talk about like the excitement they see when 26 runs by, right? And, you know, Sequant's giving these guys a lot of credit, got them golf carts as a Christmas gift. But you played with Brian Westbrook.

You played with Duce Dale. You played with work done in college. What stands out to you about Seekwan? And what would it be like the block for Sequin Barkley? I think that Sequin is really good at being patient and giving them time to get to their blocks. I think that he presses the hole and when it opens, he's gone. And that's one of the things that he's not back there dancing, he's not back there trying to shake. He's like, all right, patient, patient.

And then he hits it when he's gone. And I think that that's just assorting he runs hard. I mean, you know, he's a physical runner. And he's really good between the tackles. and as an offensive line, that helps because now you're getting two combination blocks. So anytime as an offensive line, if I can get two combination blocks

and we're getting push up the middle and then Seypuan can just stay right in there. And then when he hits it, he's gone. Man, you know, he's just a phenomenal athlete. And I think that it took a couple games for him to get that time because, you know, the first couple games, it wasn't as smooth. So, Trey, Jalen hurts.

He's not going to be 100%. Few guys are this time of the year. He's got the banged up knee. how much, yeah, how much does that change what your job would be? As far as game plan goes, as far as blocking schemes goes, for a guy that uses his legs as a weapon, how much changes on that front on Sunday? I don't think it changes anything.

I mean, our job is always going to be to try to keep that our players off of him. So it's not going to change anything. You always want to just be able to run him off field. And then if Jalen Hurst can get up field, go ahead and get whatever you can. Don't be back there dancing around. I think if anything, I would need our receivers to get open a little quicker so that he can get rid of the ball. So we can get some of those little short throws,

get the ball out of his hand so he's not back there feeling like he has to hold it, hold on to it and put us in a bad situation. So, Trey, NFC Championship game Sunday. We need your prediction, man. What's going to happen? Tell us. Oh, we win this, man. We win this.

You know, there's no way we're losing this. You know, as putting a score, I have no idea. idea. I don't care about it as long as we're winning this. I think that man, the energy that's just going to be in that stadium. Look at how this worked out, man. Isn't it crazy how this worked out? It's perfect. You just spent every game at home in the playoffs. This has just been, it just, everything just fell in the place, perfectly for this team. And I think Coach Siriani is doing an excellent job with his players and making sure that he can. keeps them focus on the task at hand and allowing them to play with their personality and let them be whatever they are.

So these guys can stay focused and handle business when it's time to go get to work. So, Trey, I don't want to put any pressure on you, but you were there on Sunday. I'm going to go ahead and say you were a little bit of a good luck charm. Are you making a return back on Sunday? Even if I have to sneak in the stadium somehow. They got to let you in Trey. How would a Trey does go about sneaking in a stadium? You're not very easily hideable.

I'm going to see it all right. Because you know, I'll definitely be there. So there's no way that I can miss this game, man. It's going to be awesome. I think that Hall of Fame jacket will get you in the gate. No problem. Yeah, maybe. Yeah, maybe.

You know, sometimes, you know, maybe, you know, depending on who's at the gate. I don't know. Yeah. Trey, well, it's been awesome catching up with you, man. We're overdue to do this in person. Thanks so much for the time today. And I hope I see you soon, man. All the best of the family.

All right, my brother's going on. Go birds. There he is the great Trey Thomas. He is the absolute best. Yeah, I think his Hall of Fame jacket will get him entry at the gate, no problem. Yeah, he's not sticking in. I promise that. I can sneak in behind him, right?

I'll give him my press pass and then I can. You know how they sneak Taylor Swift around in like the catering things? I'll be like sprawls there. I'll sneak in behind him. Yeah, Trey is the best. Let's look at a little thumbs up for Trey in the chat there. All right. Also, we've been spoiled so much with our tackle play.

So. For my entire life. I mean, from Trey, Runyon, J.P., Lane, now my lotta. I mean, hall of favor after hall of favor. Demetre Spell is what, no, I'm sure. But seriously, it's been crazy. If I can crowdsource here, I appreciate Jamie getting Trey here on the PHY Eagle Show. If there's a former player you want to hear from, there's a guest you want to hear from,

leave it in the comments in the chat, leave it in the comments after the show if you're listening back we have if the Eagles win on on Sunday

there's two weeks until the next game we're going to get a lot of guests on here if the Eagles if they don't win on Sunday after the therapy the morning if you will we have a whole

off season so there's a guest you want to hear there's a former player you want to hear let us know and Jamie's got a bigger role decks than you can possibly imagine. Like, this guy knows everybody.

I have like one or two people I can call. So yeah, so we'll, yeah, so let us know. Tom Brady got mentioned in the chat. Jamie was driving Tom Brady around. We just learned this today. Yes, after the incident with Ohio State. And to everybody that was watching on TV, we love you. We appreciate you.

If you want to continue watching the show, head over to all p.gly.com to continue watching. Yes, the viral incident of Will Howard and Ryan Day. Ryan Day has to dye the beard, right? On another note. You think so? It looks a little too black, right? Okay, okay.

There's no gray's in there at all. It's like jet black. I'm not a beard guy, so, you know, I... I would love to see bad boy, Zach, with a little goatie or something. You see, this is the thing is that I'm on air. I'm on air every day. They're in the off season. If the Eagles win the Super Bowl, will you grow a mustache for one week?

No, no, no, because I'm on air. So look, if I wasn't on air, you know, it used to be, I would like, I would grow the scruff out. But this is a visual medium. I need to be presentable every day. Yeah. Musashes are in. Yeah. Yes, the viral incident of the golf cart crashing into the wall.

And I mentioned to you two, I, during my years of Sunday night football, you know, as a low-level grunt worker, some of my jobs was to drive celebrities around. And I got to, in Indianapolis, drive Tom Brady for about, I don't know, 253, 300. hundred yards because god forbid tom brady walked 300 yards you know you can't allow that i had to them so i didn't talk to him but i did drive them and i'm not gonna lie i was a little nervous any tight turns involved no i was a pretty straight shot okay yeah i didn't have to austin powers k turn it in any hallways so tom brady's calling the game this this this weekend yes the fox crew's putting together his prep work for him he sent you know they're like that the top eagles podcast, the Top Eagles online show.

You've just got to watch this. This will clue you in on the team. He puts us on. He's like, that's the guy who drove me in Indianapolis. So here, funny story. One year, I drove Dan Patrick at the Tampa Bay Super Bowl around it. And Dan Patrick is the nicest, coolest guy in media.

He's exactly what you would want him to be. After Rich, yeah. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And not that I got to know him, he wouldn't have really known me. the following or actually the previous year, I was up in Hoboken, New Jersey. I was driving back from a game, I believe, in New England,

and I stopped off at my cousin's place, and they were doing a Santa crawl. And I stopped by, and they were like, oh, we're all dressing up as Santa's. And I was like, well, I'm not going to do that. Ended up getting pretty drunk. And they were like, well, we have this chicken suit. And I was like, all right, I'll wear the chicken suit.

So I went out on a Santa crawl in a chicken suit, ran into Dan Patrick at a bar, asked him to take a photo with me before I worked with him. Yeah. And he was like, absolutely not. And I was like, that's probably the right decision, man. I respect that. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You see, the problem I run into is, well, I never wear a chicken suit. No, I wouldn't recommend it. I don't have to worry about that. But I have, like, a pretty good memory. So, like, you know, if I've met someone before and they're good with faces. Yeah, I'm real good with faces and names. And so they're like, you know, it's nice to meet you. And I'm like, actually, you know, Super Bowl, 2010.

We were in an elevator together in the New York Sheridan. I said, hello, you were wearing a blue shirt. And I, yeah. You were late for lunch. Exactly. I see a couple Malcolm Jenkins in the chat. I actually texted Malcolm yesterday. Now, my Rolodex does not guarantee that people get back to me.

So I have not heard back from Malcolm. But I am working it. I promise you, I saw Chris Long in there. I actually DMed them. Haven't heard back, but I'm working the angles. All right. So we are going to do our best to get some of these great Eagles legends. So anybody else you want to see on the show,

please let us know. We'd love and we will do our hardest to bring them to you. We have a super chat here from Aaron Widman. Let's see if my old man eyes, it says, I'll read this. Yeah, you take that. He rewatched the game. He rewatched, but rewatched the game last night.

Moore had three good quarters. The bootleg just worked before that. That wasn't a problem in thinking. So Aaron Widman, who's Kellynne Moore's agent leading into the Dallas negotiations. Well, my question was... We appreciate your contribution, Aaron.

Was the bootleg prior on a healthy knee? No, no. No, it was injured. Then he was injured there. He threw a couple bootlegs that were like, you know, like six-yard gain, something like that. So I don't know what to make it. The first play of the game, interestingly,

the first play of the game was under center rollout bootleg, completion to Dallas Goddard. That was the last time they went under center in the game. or I'm sorry, the last time they threw out of Undercenter. If you want more intel like that or analysis like that, make sure you check out Professor Selman on Friday's show.

Yes. I see a shout out for the Trot Man. I can guarantee you that Anthony Gargano will be getting the Trot Man on as they are good friends. I saw a Todd Harriman's shout out. We can absolutely get Todd on. That one is extremely doable. Todd is the man.

All right, something to throw by you guys that I think is a no-brainer because when the Eagles win on Sunday, picture the field, picture the photo opportunities. Now, Zach, correct me if I'm wrong, but the Eagles, by NFL rules, can wear the Kelly Green this weekend. They are permitted to pull out the alternate jerseys

once in the postseason, I guess. Do it. You would do it? The NFC chance. The field is so much cooler. The photo opportunities, this is a mush-free, jinks-free conversation. The boys holding up,

Kelly Green. Because, you know, a lot of the pushback I hear against the Kelly Green is, oh, that represents a losing time, a losing organization. You can change all of that by hoisting an NFC championship with those beautiful helmets in the Kelly Green jerseys this weekend. Your thoughts? Since they came, since they brought them back last year, they are undefeated. Four and O, right?

In the Kelly Green, four and no. So look, I care about the. visual component of this quite a bit and i need to say you know make sure you're a diehard on all p hl y dot com the photos oh they pop oh yeah they pop with the kelly green so yeah look the photos from this past weekends game with the snow we're awesome amazing um the photos with with with with with with with those photos would pop so you're in support uh you know what i'll i'll for the aesthetics a while i'll leave the tire up to you. You know, I'm not, yeah, I'm indifferent to it.

But if it matters to you, then by all means, do it. Rich? I think it would be cool. You're talking about photo ops after the game. I would love to see Trot Senior and Trot Jr. If not, recreate the picture. If not, recreate the picture. If not, we're Trots, Jr. picks them up and holds him in his arms.

I don't know if Trots. That would be. I can still do that. It would be a big ass, though. His son is an NFL linebacker. I know a little bit smaller. But at least them standing next to him. each other.

Absolutely. Let us know in the chat if you want the Kelly Greens this weekend. Let's go. Let's do it. So this is something I'm curious about, right? Is they haven't pulled out Kelsey yet, right? What I mean by that is like Kelsey's been at games, but it hasn't been like. Not dog coming out of the tunnel.

Yeah, the honorary captain coming out, you know, he's, he's been there cheering them on. They showed on the board when he's with like former teammates. He obviously did the Monday night game earlier this year. But it hasn't been like, like it was Dawkins coming out of the tunnel. last week. I wonder if this is the week they pull out Jason Kelsey. So what did that do to the stadium? When Dawkins came out, did that take it up a level? Oh, yeah, for sure. For sure. I mean, and look, Dawkins coming out of the tunnel.

That's like Ray Lewis coming out of the tunnel, right? There's, and it was unannounced. And yeah, that, yeah, Dawkins coming out really brought them up. So I think, I wonder if this is the week they bring out Kelsey. That would be pretty cool. Is there a harder flex than Jason Kelsey to drink a garage beer on the sidelines of Lincoln Financial Field? Like that is the ultimate I can do whatever I want status.

If you say so. Right? I mean, drinking a beer on the sidelines of Lincoln Financial Field? Just give the man the keys to the organization. I've seen Kelsey drink a beer a hundred twice or it's not like a stirring visual. No, but like just the vaguely has a beer on the sidelines.

It's like, I like blew my mind. I was like, what's going on here? We're not giving these guys enough credit. Trey can get into the, Yeah. Trane in the stadium very easily. Kelsey could drink a beer pretty easily. So, Zach, I know you'll appreciate this one.

I don't know if I've ever told you this. A little flex on my part. I once was a part of a Ray Lewis Ravens Huddle on the field. I didn't know where you're going with that one. Yeah. No, I got out of it unscathed. But yeah, I was in the huddle. Guess what?

He didn't curse. Really? Which blew my mind. He's respectful. Yeah. So you're in the huddle. Yeah. I was the only non-raven with the cameraman.

That is awesome. That is pretty cool. Were you like at the coin flip of us? I was at the coin flip for the Cardinals Steelers Super Bowl in Tampa. I'm telling you. And I'm wearing a backwards, backward hat conversation, full circle. You can see me in the picture of the coin toss. I'm wearing a Phillies 2008 World Series cap backwards.

Jamie is like the sports version of a harsh-guyen. Yeah. Yeah, seriously. He knows everybody. He's got, I joked with him over text. He's up there with John Clark. Like he's, he's got connections everywhere. Jamie knows what's up.

It's been a fun career. Yeah. It has been a fun career. All right. Last thing I want to get out of here, Sean Hockely calling the game this weekend. Anybody know the record with the Eagles and Sean Hockey League games? What is it? It's good, right?

Do you know it? I don't know it exactly, but it's good. Six and no. Yeah. No big deal. So the fix is in. Birds win. And then the last.

one, a little bit of line movement in this game. The line on Bet365 are presenting sponsor and use code P-H-L-Y-365, and you can find out why it's never ordinary at Bet-365, has moved from the opening minus four and a half up to minus six. So what's your read on that? That's a good sign. It's a good sign. Yeah.

I would agree. I mean, the Eagles are, like, I've said it all week. This isn't me being a homer reporter. I'm just being honest. I said going into the playoffs, the Eagles should want the commanders in the first round. And I thought the commanders were a better matchup than Green Bay. I certainly did not expect the commanders to beat the lions. I think the Eagles are more talented on both sides of the ball.

I usually judge things based on the line of scrimmage. I think where Washington's week is the O-line and the D-line, especially you take out Cosmy. He's been their best offensive linemen. The only way I see them losing this game is if Jane and Daniels is hot and if Jaylon Hertz is injured. But I just think the Eagles are the better football team. Them missing Cosmy feels like a big.

deal. It's huge. But by the way, and I know Fran talked about this yesterday, the play that Jalen Carter made on. I was blown away by Fran's film work on that. Well, just the idea that he completely won that with his brain. Yeah. Like, like as talented as he is, faking the stunt and getting two guys, getting the center, Bo Limmer to look to the left, but also Dotson to go away from him and say like, all right, here's a stunt. I mean, Bo Limer can handle a Jomo on the loop or whatever. And then like Half a second later, he's planning. Now, I might be giving him too much credit here, but it was almost like he saved it for the most important part of the game.

It's so good. He set him up all game long just to have it in the bag when it mattered most, and he won the game. It reminds me when he almost caught the spike. Yeah. He's just thinking the game at a very high level. Yeah. A nugget from Vic Fangier,

they actually ran the stunt that he faked in the previous game against the Rams. So they were kind of in the bag. They were holding it. And yet, I've spoken to a number. number of people about Jalen Carter and that's the one thing that people say doesn't get brought up enough is how smart he is as a football player. So, Zach, I have a question about Jalen Carter and I feel like you're the man that would have the answer to this. His Twitter handle is the breadman. He's got the breadman on his forearm tattooed right there. What the hell is the bread man? I will find that out

this week for you. I will ask him and I will find that. I don't know. I don't know. I will find that out this week. I'm like, yeah. Does it just mean get the paper? That's my guess. Yeah. But I will find that out. He's going to get some paper all right. Oh, give that man. whatever the hell he wants. I will find that out this week. Okay. He also has bread man. He has breadman merchandise as well.

Hmm. We might have to buy some breadman merchandise to wear the Super Bowl parade. But we also have a great baby rhino shirt here at the all-P-H-L-Y locker room. If you yourself want to get a little baby rhino gear. And we have another super chat from our man, real-prince, real time with Prince Blue. What up, Prince Blue? He says, is this the Jaden Daniels fan club? No, this is perfect.

I said it on the post game show. The narrative nationally this week is going to be all high and mighty on Jaden Daniels. I think last week was Washington's Super Bowl. No rookie has ever gone to the Super Bowl before. I think this is all setting up perfectly for Jaden Daniels to lose in the NFC championship game. I mean, I know we get- Right the way, Zach. Lean into it. I know we get ridiculed when we praise other quarterbacks real-time with.

with Prince Blue was probably on me for praising Jordan Love. Jayden Daniels is legit. Jayden Daniels is legit. There's nothing wrong with complimenting another player, right? Like two things can be true. The Eagles are the better team, but the Eagles should win this game, not because Jayden Daniels is getting too much credit,

but because the Eagles are the better football team. Yeah. I'm with you, though. I would love the Jayden Daniels hype training. Oh, yeah. To just go off the tracks this week. I saw NFL network yesterday, one of the Kairons said,

Eagles don't win this game if it's not. for snow and I was just like yes make the Eagles feel like underdogs this week get this Washington narrative out of control make the Eagles feel like underdogs as the line continues to creep up and people in Vegas have inside injury info on them I said this a few weeks ago the Eagles cannot play the

nobody believes in us card like the Eagles the Eagles are heavy weights sure they should view themselves that way they should view that way the Eagles are are not your your plucky underdogs this is not the 2017 team this is this is a team that That is like they're loaded on both sides of the ball.

They've lost one game since September. The Eagles are bona fide heavyweights. And by the way, they have the high Super Bowl odds right now. Is that right? Yes, they are favored ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs. Because their path is easier to get to the Super. I would think that has more to do with it. Yeah.

But it's also to me as just an NFL fan, the Chiefs are there for the taking. Like this isn't the same Be careful what you say there I know and I'm kind of pulling for Buffalo To be honest with you Because I would love to see a Philly Buffalo series Both games are going to be hard No matter how you slice it

It just Kansas City is hung around all year And pulled it out And that's a credit to them Much like the Eagles have done the same thing It just feels like Kansas City's there For the taking this year I mean that's like saying The Chicago Bulls are there for the taking

In like 92 And no you know You don't want to see Mahomes You don't want to see my home. Cousin Grace says not underdogs, alpha dogs. Hell yeah, Cousin Grace. That sounds like a good book title. Oh, follow that one away, Zach.

All right, that's going to do it for us here today at the P.H.L.Y. Eagles podcast. Let's get a little thumbs up here, a little hard emoji, a little comment on the way out. We love and appreciate everybody that hung out here with us today. A big thank you to Trey Thomas for hanging out with us as well. Now, Zach, let me get this correct. 2 o'clock tomorrow, 8 p.m. tomorrow as well, a little bonus edition. Double-dip on last day. And Vinnie Curry is going to be joining you guys at 8 p.m. as well as possibly some others.

Yes, we'll have some guests tomorrow night. We'll talk to Vinny Curry. We'll have some of Bo's favorite conversation, which is Josh Harris. But then tomorrow in studio... Let me guess. The whole show, Bo is just going to go... Probably so. And you're going to have to do all the talking?

Yeah, yeah, probably so. I'll try to keep it somewhat professional. And then... Good money. And then tomorrow afternoon, we'll have Fran in studio, I believe, and we'll... A little send-off. Yeah, we'll kind of break down Washington and give you everything you need to know ahead of that game.

Thursday's Bo and me in studio. Then Friday we have the professor with Bo. I will chime in from Novacare before practice. Love it. We're going to hopefully be your one-stop shopping for everything, Eagles, through the parade, through everything, because the Eagles are winning it. I'm not speaking about the other options here.

How about beyond the parade? We got free agency. We got traffic. Yeah, every day. Yeah. They got the 30 second pick to make, man. Yeah, absolutely. And don't forget, if you want to become a diehard, which you should,

because what Fran Duffy is about to do this next two-month period, alone, I promise you is worth $4 a month, not to mention Zach and Les and Bo and Jim Salsbury, and Kyle and Derek and Charlie, some of the best writers in the entire city, all for less than $4 a month? Like, come on, that's a bargain. Limited time deal. Hit that QR code. Head to all p.hly.com.

That's it for us today. Thanks for hanging out with us, and we'll see you soon here on the PHY Eagles podcast.