Mudd: We will win with Bell
Howard Mudd has returned, or as guard Evan Mathis put it in so many words, the principal was back.
Mudd: We will win with Bell
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Howard Mudd has returned, or as guard Evan Mathis put it in so many words, the principal was back.
The Eagles offensive line coach was given the first four weeks of spring practices off so that he could rest and remain fresh once the long slog of training camp and the regular season begin. Mudd, 70, had hip replacement surgery last October and has had trouble standing for long periods.
But he returned to Philadelphia on Monday -- sans cane -- and was at the NovaCare Complex Tuesday for the Eagles' three-day mandatory minicamp. He said he liked what he saw after the first day of workouts, and said he told Jason Kelce that when the second-year center asked.
“I feel like we’re right where we left off last year except you and [right guard] Danny [Watkins] are even further along," Mudd said.
Mudd hasn't had the opportunity to watch left tackle Demetress Bell on the field up close, though. The Eagles have been sending video to the coach, who was splitting time between his homes in Arizona and Seattle. Bell, acquired after Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon in March, still has to completely learn Mudd's very specific blocking techniques.
The real work won't be done until the players can hit at Lehigh.
“He’s very athletic. He’s exactly what I thought we were going to get when we signed him," Mudd said. "Very good spirit about him. Very tough minded, wants to learn. Not satisfied till he learns it.”
But can he replace Peters, who Mudd said was "one-of-a-kind,” or at least fill in without there being a major drop-off?
"Is it hard to replace? I guess … I don’t even think about that. I think this guy will help us win games," said Mudd, who later added: “I don’t anticipate changing the entire offense because we don’t have Jason Peters. Will some of the things be less spectacular? Probably. But I’m going to say it again … we’re going to win games with Demetress Bell.”
Mudd also confirmed that Kelce has assumed more of the pre-snap protection calls to assist quarterback Michael Vick in his reads.
“Yeah, he’s taking on more responsibility," Mudd said. "He understands what we need, taking some pressure off from Mike. Making some calls, maybe the same calls that Mike would have made.”
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-- Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was excused from practice. He was home attending the funeral of a cousin. Eagles coach Andy Reid said Cox should be back by Wednesday.
-- Defensive end Vinny Curry (ankle) was still out of practice. Every other player that was healthy to practice was in attendance.
-- The Eagles invited three players to practice on a tryout basis -- linebacker Ryan Rau, defensive end Frank Trotter and wide receiver Raymond Webber.
Don't you just love Howard Mudd AND Jim Washburn? What a couple of characters-and best friends to boot! I'm excited about the coming year, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we don't get anymore major player injuries this year.— leftylevi- Because I have no reason to disbelieve Mudd's assessment, I'm excited by this news.— Lonewolf11
- I'm more excited about the direction the team is heading now than I've been since the start of Reid's second season as head coach. I see good things on the horizon if we can stay healthy. Go Birds!!!— Drigh13
- its never one guy, but Peters allowed them to not need double teams on top DEs, not so much anymore or nearly as often. Team goes as far as Vick takes them, bottom line....oh but its never one guy, except the QB of course— peteike
- 4 Nice comments. A Miracle.— 2smart4philly
- LIsten when Mudd and washburn talk, I listen!!! The eagles couldnt get them to tow the conmpany line if they tried. The two line coaches are the best in the business, and both love their personal...so that makes me a happy man!
I cant wait to see the run defense. It was a major weakness. This year we will have one of the best run defenses in the league!!!
As long as our players stay healthy, WATCH OUT!— johnGiam - Too much positivity. where is Charlie garner when you need him?— blaqjaq
- what bugs me is i really like charlie garner the player. i'll never forget the monday night game against the 49ers where he ran for 200+ yards. When you think about it we've had some entertaining running backs: watters, byars, buck, staley, westbrook...and now the real mccoy. I liked the o-line play last year....especially after the first 4 games....and i think it was more Vick and the playcalling that made the line look worse than it was.— murdock101
- No one needs charlie garner...— tpizza
- Murdock, I don't know if it is your age showing but, you left out Wilbert Montgomery! But you are right... We have had some pretty good, even special, RBs in the last 30 years. To have Westy and McCoy back-to-back? Outstanding!— Commish
- #22, Timmy Brown. — mccloudmj
- This comment has been deleted. — bedpan
- I think I'd add Duce as #5 to that list, maybe even #4. — gdibig
- How can you forget Tom "Silky" Sullivan? :) Usually on the radio announcer, I forget who it was back then, would say "And Sullivan falls forward for a couple!" Didn't Montgomery rush for 197 yards in the NFC Championship game against the Dallas and that a pulled muscle probably kept him from breaking 200? — DelValLifer
- THe problem last year was the Vick didnt trust his line early on,understandably so. I mean I dont think any quarterback could trust a brand new line with 2 rookies, one being a 7th round center, who basically had NO Training Camp.
do you realize that the Eagles are above average at just about every single position except safety?
They sorrounded Juan with the best line coach in the game...an amazing secondary coach who has good HEAD coaching experience.
The defense got Trampled last year in the run game. This year on rushing downs we will line up Fletcher cox and Cole at the end, Landri and Dixon at tackle, with the THumper Demeco behind them and Kendricks who will be AWESOME and probably Brian Rolle, who once he shores up his tackling ill be a nice player in the run game because he gets behind the line of scrimmage. Fat chance trying to run all over that line up!— johnGiam
