Eagles' Mudd Ready To Retire Again
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Eagles' Mudd Ready To Retire Again
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
If Andy Reid wants another NFL head-coaching job after the Eagles let him go later this month, he’ll have no trouble finding one. Wherever he winds up, though, he’s going to need a new offensive line coach.
Howard Mudd acknowledged to the Daily News Thursday what most people had already suspected – he’s calling it quits after the season.
``I decided quite a while ago,’’ the 71-year-old Mudd said. ``I gotta go be a grandpa. That was the plan two years ago and Andy talked me out of it. But this time, it’s going to be permanent.
``I told my wife last night, I really like coaching. But it’s time.’’
Mudd is one of the league’s best offensive line coaches. He’s been coaching NFL offensive lines for 37 years. Spent 12 years with the Colts before retiring after the ’09 season.
Reid coaxed him out retirement last year after making the controversial decision to switch Juan Castillo from offensive line coach to defensive coordinator.
The offensive line was one of the Eagles’ biggest concerns at the start of the ’11 season. By the end of the year, it was one of their greatest strengths.
Injuries wreaked havoc with Mudd’s unit this season. He lost All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters to a ruptured Achilles tendon last spring. Center Jason Kelce tore his ACL in Week 2 and right tackle Todd Herremans suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 9. Right guard Danny Watkins also was out for more than a month with an ankle injury.
Is he glad he came back?
``Oh yeah,’’ Mudd said. ``It’s all about the people. The players you coach. The coaches you work with. The owner. But it’s time.’’
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz another novel idea by Reid, where he only outsmarted himself— main liner- I don't know Paul... with all due respect to Howard Mudd, I think most everything about the end of last season was indeed 'fools gold.' His unique methods did not produce unique success, and if I were the owner I would be moving on to a new scheme wether Mr. Mudd was retiring or not.— Mr. Magee
- Mudd's unique methods produced unique failure. Aside from the injuries (which every team deals with) the play, scheme, and discipline of the O Line is not NFL caliber.— Mike Boryla
- His players retired weeks ago.— ghostofozark
- ``I decided quite a while ago,’’ the 71-year-old Mudd said. I think it's fair to say we can all see that.— Frank Peterson
- Just one less coach for Lurie to have to fire!— oneway
Go NOW!'— HappyBob- Cut the guy some slack. Peters, Herremans and Kelce are all injured. Also injured this season were Dunlap, Watkins and Reynolds - and those guys weren't even starter-quality to begin with.— p-diddy
- If I recall correctly, he was semi-retired this year, since he did not attend OTAs in the off season. What bugs me is that we cut 4 decent linemen because they were either too big or had short arms and didn't fit his system. Well three of those guys are starting for Indianapolis and blocking beautifully for Andrew Luck. Shipley, McGlynn and Justice make up the right side of their line. Indy was in 1st place in their division last time I looked.— miket47
- I guess the last time you looked was 2010. If I recall the Texans are 10-1 and about to lock that division up. And they say Philly fan are knowledgeable. You my ignorant friend dont even know what teams are in what divisions and then lie to get your point across. — eagle fan for life
- This is why coaches need to adjust their systems and approach based on the players' strengths, not vice versa.— Progressive215
- The 2 biggest problems for the Eagles...a totally useless O line and Pee Wee Roseman running the show. Something about that name "Howard" which has turned the Eagles into a laughing stock.— kelprod2-freemarket
- When Howard was signed along with Washburn, the same fanbase here was excited about what a great coup it was to get the two. I certainly was. It's safe to say that the people scouting and drafting our defensive and offensive linemen are the real failure. You can wash and wax your clapped out Hyundai Scoupe all you want, in the end, it's still a piece of junk. Ditto our linemen. Ditto our scouts and GM.....— DelawareRiverRat
- Get rid of them all...Vick, Reid, Washburn..this is the worst Eagles team in FIFTEEN YEARS...get fresh new people and ideas..— jim35
- Not so good without Peyton ay!!— Geno D
