Latest news with #TheExcitingMics
USA Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Zack Baun hints at the Eagles defense being even better than top ranked unit from 2024
Zack Baun hints at the Eagles defense being even better than top ranked unit from 2024 During a recent appearance on The Exciting Mics podcast, All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun told Cooper DeJean and Reed Blankenship that the Eagles defense is miles ahead of where they were last year The Eagles were one of the most physical teams in the NFL last season, and their change in identity began with their late-season collapse in 2023. Vic Fangio entered as defensive coordinator, while Howie Roseman signed Saquon Barkley, Zack Baun, and Mekhi Becton, among others, to help bring physicality and attitude to a Super Bowl contender. Fangio's addition led to more padded and physical practices, which resulted in a 10-2 team and eight straight wins to start the previous season. Fangio's presence helped the Eagles become the No. 1 defense in the NFL, and the defensive coordinator was a finalist for the Assistant Coach of the Year award. During a recent appearance on The Exciting Mics podcast, All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun told Cooper DeJean and Reed Blankenship that the Eagles' defense is miles ahead of where they were last year. The defense has undergone an overhaul after defensive tackle Milton Williams (New England), Josh Sweat (Arizona), cornerback Darius Slay (Pittsburgh), cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (Minnesota), and linebacker Oren Burks (Cincinnati) all departed via free agency. In year one under Fangio, the Eagles (278.4 ypg) led the league in total defense for the seventh time in team history, having previously accomplished the feat in 1991, 1981, 1953, 1949, 1945, and 1944 (excludes the 1943 Steagles). Philadelphia was the second team since the 1970 merger to feature the NFL's rushing champion on offense while showcasing the league's No. 1 defense, joining the 1992 Cowboys (won Super Bowl XXVII). Philadelphia ranked 1st in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (174.2) for the second time in the last three years (also 2022, 179.8). Furthermore, the Eagles finished with the NFL lead in defensive points allowed per game (16.9 — their best figure since 15.8 in 2008), opponent three-and-out percentage (39.0%), and FFs (18, tied). Including playoffs, the Eagles were +27 in turnovers since Week 8. In that span, Philadelphia has 138 points off turnovers (6.6 per game).
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Eagles' star CB reveals he received over 30 prank phone calls during the 2024 NFL draft
Eagles' star CB reveals he received over 30 prank phone calls during the 2024 NFL draft During the debut episode of The Exciting Mics podcast, Eagles star cornerback reveals he received over 30 prank phones during the 2024 NFL draft Cooper DeJean talks about getting over 30 different prank calls on draft night 😳 — Exciting Mics (@excitingmics) May 15, 2025 Colorado star quarterback and Big 12 Player of the Year Shedeur Sanders was still on the draft board entering Round 4 after six other quarterbacks were selected in a shocking development. The biggest storyline of the draft came when the NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 over the leak of Sanders' phone number. Ulbrich's son, Jax, took the number from Ulbrich's iPad and used it to prank Sanders during the draft. Amid the fallout and calls for some consequence, the NFL began looking into the situation, specifically how Sanders' private number leaked, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Falcons said in a statement Sunday that 21-year-old Jax Ulbrich wrote down the number from his father's open iPad while visiting his parents' home "to later conduct a prank call." Most of the pundits defending Ulbrich focused on the fact that other players in 2025, and in past drafts, have been the victims of prank phone calls, and no repercussions were handed out. Cooper DeJean was one of those victims, and during the debut episode of 'The Exciting Mics', DeJean confirmed that he was pranked over 30 times while waiting for Philadelphia to select him in the second round of the 2024 draft. DeJean got the last laugh, becoming a finalist for the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award after he was among the highest-rated players in the slot, holding opponents to 50 receptions. He had five pass breakups, and quarterbacks had an 82.2 passer rating against him. DeJean logged 51 tackles (38 solo) as a rookie, including 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries across 16 regular-season games in 2024. DeJean's biggest and best moment came in Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs, when he picked off Patrick Mahomes for a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown on his birthday.
