Exciting Mics Ep. 12 Summary

Podcast: Exciting Mics
Hosts: Reed Blankenship & Cooper DeJean
Episode: Eagles WIN vs Cowboys, Jalen Carter Spitgate, Super Bowl Rematch & More
Date: September 11, 2025

Overview

This episode of Exciting Mics sees Super Bowl champion defensive backs Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean breaking down the Eagles' season-opening victory over their divisional rival Dallas Cowboys. The duo candidly shares locker room stories, analyzes key moments from the game, reflects on special team efforts, and looks ahead to a Super Bowl rematch. The vibe remains lighthearted and authentic, mixing serious football talk with playful banter about pregame fits, pregame rituals, and what it means to be back in front of Philly fans.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Winning the Season Opener (00:54–03:28)

• Cooper and Reed kick off with excitement about starting the season 1–0 against a key rival:
  • “1 and oh. 1 and oh, there we go. Got off. Off to a good start.” — Cooper (01:00)
  • “It’s the only thing, bro.” — Reed (00:58)
• Both acknowledge room for improvement, especially penalties and first-half execution. Coach Nick Sirianni emphasized celebration but stressed growth.
  • “That was kind of the message at halftime, you know, was to clean up the penalties.” — Cooper (01:57)
• The emotional high of escaping training camp and finally facing another team.

2. Pregame Rituals & Locker Room Dynamics (03:28–05:01)

• Reed and Cooper share their low-key, consistent routines: arriving together, pregame meal, warming up together.
  • “We usually leave together, walk into the stadium together. We get warmed up on our own, but then we do together warm up together on the field.” — Cooper (03:53)
• Reed stays chill, but Cooper ribs him about his game-day intensity flipping up.
• Snacks matter: “I drink Pedialyte, dog.” — Reed (04:48), while Cooper prefers energy drinks.

3. Banner Night & Philadelphia Game Day Atmosphere (05:06–07:17)

• Both missed the moment the Super Bowl banner dropped—too focused on the task ahead.
  • “I didn’t even notice the banner until I looked up for ... the national anthem.” — Cooper (05:18)
• Vivid stories about Philly game day culture: fans lining Broad Street from 5:30am, a city that halts for the Eagles.

4. Pregame Fits: Fashion in the NFL (07:11–11:08)

• In a lively segment, the duo rates player fits:
  • Jalen Hurts as “always business, like, classy.” (07:11)
  • Saquon’s “Birkin bag” and style get props.
  • Smitty has “his kids, like, and fiance stitched in his hat” (08:41)
  • AJ Brown pulls up in a Rolls Royce, cowhide shoes, double-breasted suit.
• Cooper and Reed reflect on stepping up their fit game, including Abercrombie jackets and Air Forces.
  • “This is out of my comfort zone, though ... We're trying new things, bro.” — Reed (10:28)
  • “If you didn’t wear the shades, bro, it wouldn’t have ... looked as good.” — Cooper (10:56)

5. Game Breakdown: Penalties, Momentum Shifts, and Resilience (13:31–19:35)

• The first half was rough with self-inflicted penalties and nerves. Improvement and “settling in” defined the second half.
• Addressed Jalen Carter’s ejection early in the game and what it means for the locker room: “We got his back though.” — Reed (14:25)
• The devastating injury to Ben Van: human side of football and appreciation for support staff.
• Key third quarter turnover after a lengthy run was a momentum swing: “Zach chased him down...crazy.” — Reed (15:49)
• Secret team celebration: the “tush push” goal-line play was kept under wraps, even among teammates.
  • “Don’t keep secrets, bro... Well executed, though.” — Reed (16:47)
• Handling the 30-45 minute weather delay, comparing it to Super Bowl halftime and keeping “locked in.”

6. Sideline Snacks and Restarting After Delay (18:36–19:35)

• Light-hearted segment on locker room snacks (“GoGo Squeez,” bananas, Uncrustables).
• Reed and Cooper note the strength staff’s role in getting them re-warmed after delay, drawing on Super Bowl experience.

7. Final Defensive Stand (22:52–25:56)

• Breaking down a pivotal fourth-down stop:
  • Cooper praises Reed’s range (“that Curry range!”) for breaking up a key pass.
  • “Pain and it’s just like when you say the ball is incomplete, it’s like whole weight just lifts off your shoulder.” — Reed (25:09)
• Celebrating second-half improvements: focus on playing “our type of ball,” cleaning up penalties, and not overthinking the Super Bowl rematch.

8. Highlight Play & Handing Out Game Balls (26:16–28:37)

• Citizens Play That Matters Most: Zach Baun’s hustle to chase down Miles Sanders—a “seven point play.”
  • “That is relentless effort right there.” — Cooper (26:54)
• Game Balls:
  • Offense: Jalen Hurts for improvisational playmaking.
  • Defense: Zach Baun for effort and impact.
  • Special Teams: Punter Braden Mann, Jake Elliott’s 58-yard field goal.
    • “I think he could have went a little bit more, too.” — Reed (28:40)

9. Super Bowl Rematch & Brazil Trip Recap (29:13–31:38)

• Reminiscing about Eagles–Chargers in Brazil, the first NFL game in South America.
• Stories about the long flight (“I've never been on a plane that long before.” — Cooper), unique lay-flat seats.
• Brazilian fans brought loud energy: “When they say, I think they sang ... their national anthem ... That was sick.” — Cooper (30:36)

10. Looking Ahead / Weekend Plans (31:39–end)

• Enjoying extra rest after a Thursday game and looking forward to watching film and prepping for week 2.
• Acknowledging the hype around the Super Bowl rematch but vowing to stay focused: “We just got to focus on us.”
• Reminder for fans to leave questions and possibly appear on an upcoming episode.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s always good to, you know, come away with an opening week win.” — Cooper (01:08)
• “There's definitely like a different vibe...on game day in Philly.” — Cooper (06:48)
• On Reed’s game-day focus:
  “You see him on game day, this dude literally does not want to talk to anybody.” — Cooper (03:44)
• On defensive teamwork:
  “Reed came over. Give me a little extra love out of the post. That boy’s got range out of the post. That Curry range.” — Cooper (24:24)
• “Pain and it’s just like when you say the ball is incomplete, it’s like whole weight just lifts off your shoulder.” — Reed (25:09)
• “We talk about relentless effort all week long...and that is relentless effort right there.” — Cooper (26:54)
• On Brazil crowd:
  “It was a cool experience. ... When they say, I think they sang...their national anthem. ... That was sick.” — Cooper (30:36)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------|------------------| | Game excitement / Season opener | 00:54–03:28 | | Pregame rituals | 03:28–05:01 | | Banner night / Philly fans | 05:06–07:17 | | Pregame fits / Fashion talk | 07:11–11:08 | | Game breakdown / Penalties | 13:31–19:35 | | Sideline snacks after delay | 18:36–19:35 | | Final stand / Defense breakdown | 22:52–25:56 | | Highlight play / Game balls | 26:16–28:37 | | Brazil trip recap | 29:13–31:38 | | Looking ahead / Fan interaction | 31:39–End |

Tone & Feel

The episode blends unfiltered locker room banter with sharp football insights. Cooper and Reed's chemistry is palpable, offering fans a unique, inside look at the Eagles, balancing self-deprecating humor (“I don’t think we could pull off that hat”) with thoughtful breakdowns of game moments. The gratitude for the Philly fanbase and their sense of football brotherhood stand out throughout.

For Listeners

Whether you missed the game, want to relive the highs, or just love authentic football chatter, this episode is your front-row seat to the Eagles’ locker room and the heart of Philly football culture. Go Birds!