Exciting Mics Episode 16: "Cooper & Reed on Getting Back on Track, Vikings Preview & More"

Podcast: Exciting Mics
Hosts: Reed Blankenship & Cooper DeJean
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Theme: Bouncing Back, Locker Room Culture, and Vikings Preview

This week, Super Bowl champion defensive backs Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean return after a tough couple of games to talk about their mindset, locker room energy, and how the Eagles are preparing to face the Minnesota Vikings. The conversation is packed with honest reflections, playful banter, and a deep dive into Philly life and team spirit. There are lighter moments on pumpkin carving, Philly slang, and, as always, a sharp look at NFL fashion and pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting Back on Track After a Tough Stretch

• Post-Bye Reflections

  • Reed shares the team's need to create positivity but also "be real" about their practice habits:

    "It starts in practice... If we're not doing the little things in practice, how are they going to show up in games?" (01:24, 09:25)

  • Cooper emphasizes energy, execution, and finishing:

    "The only thing that bothers me from that Broncos game is...we had the chance to get a stop and get the ball back...and we didn't do that." (04:00)

• Handling Losses

  • Both hosts admit they didn’t put together full games in weeks 5 and 6 and discuss how staying focused is critical:

    "You can’t take any snaps off and you just gotta continue to work, man." (03:51)

  • On the controversial strip sack:

    "I thought it was a fumble...but even in that scenario, you gotta move on, you know?" (05:21)

2. Mindset, Energy & Locker Room Culture

• Finding Energy After Setbacks

  • Cooper:

    "You still gotta find a way to get stops, create turnovers, and we didn't do that." (04:49)

  • Reed:

    "Still have the juice, you know. Regardless of what's happening...turn little wins into bigger things." (05:06)

  • Maintaining focus:

    "We've been there before...If you don't keep teams down, then they're just going to keep climbing back up and that’s going to give them life." (09:22)

• Practice Makes Perfect

  • Reed:

    "It starts in practice...the way you approach a tackle in a walk-through setting—every little detail matters." (09:25, 11:49)

  • Cooper builds on this:

    "Everything matters. The way you approach, the way you approach a tackle in a walk-through..." (11:48)

3. Relaxing During the Bye & Philly Life

• Bye Week Banter

  • Reed enjoyed a lazy weekend: "Watched Hocus Pocus. Got pumpkins to carve too." (12:44)
  • Cooper’s take: "Maybe I'll come over and carve a pumpkin with you someday. We'll carve an Exciting Mics pumpkin." (13:18)

• Adjusting to Philly

  • Reed jokes about language barriers:

    "It's gotta be the word john. Is it a verb or a noun or both?" (14:10)

  • Cooper:

    "As two guys who went from farmland to the big leagues, there are a lot of things we can't make sense of." (14:15)

4. Fashion, Philly Sports, and Pop Culture

• Exciting Fits Segment (17:09)

  • Cooper on rocking the "Canadian tuxedo" (denim on denim):

    "Denim de Jean in the jeans...I didn't know how it would look, but it turned out not too bad." (17:26)

  • Reed and Cooper rave over Sixers throwback jerseys and Flyers hockey:

    "I want the Sixers to just go crazy this year, bro... those are freakin' sick." (21:16)

• First Impressions: NHL and NBA

  • Reed hasn’t been to a Flyers game. Cooper:

    "You gotta go watch, like up on the glass though. That's the best freakin' part." (19:34)

  • On Sixers’ mascot:

    "Hip Hop the mascot is back for the Sixers. Looks like the bunny off of...Space Jam." (23:05)

5. Vikings Game Preview & Opponent Scouting

• Facing Minnesota
  • Cooper:

    "We're looking forward to starting our preparation...They obviously got a lot of star power. Their receivers, their o-line can run the ball really well." (27:14)

  • Reed:

    "They haven't named a starting quarterback yet, but we have film on both...the offense isn’t going to change a lot." (27:55)

  • Cooper on Justin Jefferson:

    "I think he's right up there with the top receivers in the league." (29:13)

  • Reed:

    "He can make some plays, bro. They move him around, use him a lot of different ways." (29:13)

6. Around the League

• Kansas City Sunday Night Fight

  • Cooper:

    "It's an emotional game...You just gotta find a way to hold back in situations like that." (32:34)

• Coaching Carousel

  • Titans and UCLA both fired head coaches. Reed:

    "It's tough, but you just gotta lean on each other, man...Really when your camaraderie and locker room gets tested." (33:21)

7. Fan Q&A Segment (with Caitlin from Drexel Hill)

• Cool/Weird Fan Items Signed
  • Reed: "I've signed a few people's legs or arms to go get tatted." (35:25)
  • Cooper: "Pretty sure I've signed a baby's arm before...that's weird, kinda." (35:58)
  • Reed: "I signed a loaf of bread before...He was comparing me and you, so he's like, you're the butter...I'm the bread." (36:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Still have the juice, you know. Regardless of what's happening, you gotta make little wins into bigger things."

  • Reed Blankenship, 05:06

• "Everything matters. The way you approach a tackle in a walk-through setting—every little detail matters."

  • Cooper DeJean, 11:48

• "It's gotta be the word john. Is it a verb or a noun or both?"

  • Reed Blankenship on Philly slang, 14:10

• "I thought it was a fumble...but even in that scenario, you gotta move on, you know?"

  • Reed Blankenship, 05:21

• "I signed a loaf of bread before...He was comparing me and you, so he's like, you're the butter...I'm the bread."

  • Reed Blankenship, 36:44

• "You gotta keep that childhood experience alive, bro."

  • Reed to Cooper about pumpkin carving, 13:11

Key Timestamps

• 01:24 – Reed on practicing with honesty and focus
• 02:50 – Game week mindset: Eagles vs. Vikings
• 04:00 – Reflecting on loss to Broncos and missed defensive stop
• 05:21 – Discussing the strip sack fumble controversy
• 09:25 – Practice habits and team culture
• 12:44 – Bye week relaxation & pumpkin carving
• 14:10 – Philly slang: "john"
• 17:09 – Exciting Fits: NFL fashion talk
• 21:16 – Sixers throwback jersey hype
• 27:14 – Vikings scouting report
• 32:34 – Around the League: Sunday night fight
• 35:25 – Fan Q&A: Weirdest items signed

Episode Tone

• Candid, upbeat, and authentic—lots of playful banter and genuine self-reflection
• Real locker room insight into how pro athletes bounce back and build team culture
• A love letter to Philly and team traditions, plus relatable moments from two small-town guys on the big stage

Conclusion

In this episode, Cooper and Reed show their leadership and perspective as they look to get the Eagles back on track. Whether breaking down X’s and O’s, laughing about pumpkin carving, or recounting unusual fan encounters, the duo brings listeners behind the scenes of life in the NFL with heart, humor, and plenty of Philly flavor.