Eagles clear Mudd to miss OTAs, will return for minicamp

Eagles coach Andy Reid has continually harped on the benefit for his young team of having a full offseason of field and classroom work this spring compared to last year when a 4 1/2-month lockout prevented rookies from even getting a peek at their playbook until the start of training camp. Yet, one of their most important teachers -- offensive line coach Howard Mudd -- was nowhere to be found at the team's three-day rookie camp and the first two weeks of OTAs. The 70-year-old Mudd, who came out of retirement last year to coach the Eagles' offensive line and turned a unit that was one of the team's biggest question marks going into the season into one of his greatest strengths, has been given the green light to stay home in Arizona and pass on the team's OTAs. He will return for the team's mandatory three-day minicamp, which begins on June 12, and then be back for the start of training camp on July 22. It was one of the concessions head coach Andy Reid made ...