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.’’
It's sad that the present Eagles coaching staff is where antiquated guys come to retire. Lurie probably has some sweet retirement plan in place....
all of this moves means nothing to me until Reid gets fired.— z03mbm- Mudd's system that required 'small, quick' O-linemen may haunt us for a few years. at least we can begin digging out of the hole he put us in!— fillyfan
- mudd's system requiredd small, quick o-lineman who play against big strong, quick d-lineman really easy to see who will win that battle.— only 9
- I think Mudd had a raw deal this year with all the injuries he's had to adjust & overcome (which he honestly hasn't). What OL coach could replace 4/5 of their line after the season started?
On the other hand, Washburn hasn't had that problem. He hasn't had to overcome injuries or make those kinds of adjustments. He just hasn't done a good job. Basing your whole defense around the Wide 9 is just a bad idea.
That's on Reid.— yobill626 - I totally agree about keeping Duce, he's the man! I was always a big fan of his.— WestonF01
- Are we sure he actually ever came out of retirement?— Scope33
- shoulda stayed retired the first time...— jabac
- These comments are all dumb. The o line was fantastic last year. This year, not one starter remains. Find another scapegoat to hate.— Fritz and Alice
- "The o line was fantastic last year"- Really? They got better the last couple of games, but were a hot mess MOST of the season. I would never consider them fantastic
- Thank God!!!!!!— 4thand10
- Last year??? I seem to remember Vick running for his life most of the time last year also. I acknowledge he's not the best at seeing anything down there anyway but... Other than Peters who has been AR's best (only?) talent pickup, the OL was way overrated by our so-called eagle expert press. Kelce? Let's wait a few years before we decide he's an all pro.— dval
- Sad to see such a great career end like a turd in a punch bowl.— beefbre
- Mudd has done nothing to make that line better. See you later.— Jeff C.
- Mudd has actually been "pretired" the last couple of years. It means that technically, you're still working, but really, you're not.— drbob1
