Tag: Tra Thomas

Eagles set to induct Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas into their Hall of Fame

Eagles bookend tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas set to enter the organization’s Hall of Fame

Two original staples of dominant offensive line play in Philadelphia are set to be inducted into the Eagles Ring of Honor.

During halftime of the preseason opener against the Steelers, Philadelphia announced that Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas would join Donovan McNabb and others in the team’s Hall of Fame.

A talented and rugged left tackle, Thomas was the Eagles’ first-round pick (No. 11 overall) in 1998 out of Florida State.

Runyan joined the franchise as a free agent after leaving the Titans/Oilers, where he was drafted in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. For years, Thomas and Runyan protected Donovan McNabb, leading the Eagles to five NFC East titles, five NFC Championship Games, and one Super Bowl appearance in 2004.

Both players will be inducted during Philadelphia’s Thursday night matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in Week 6 at Lincoln Financial Field.

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Eagles great Tra Thomas lands coaching job at a top Prep School

Eagles great Tra Thomas lands coaching job at IMG Academy

Tra Thomas is an Eagles legend and former Pro Bowl offensive tackle, so he knows trench talk, and the talented tv personality is now set to play mentor to some of the nation’s most talented prospects.

Thomas took to social media on Thursday to announce that he’ll be accepting the job as offensive line coach at the country’s top prep program, IMG Academy.

IMG Academy has been ranked 5 straight years in the top 10 nationally while placing more than 200 student-athletes placed in college programs since its inception.

Former players include Mark Columbo, K. J. Hamler, Julius Jones, Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond, Shea Patterson, Bo Scarborough, and Grant Wistrom.

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Former Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd has passed away

Howard Mudd has passed away at the age of 78

Howard Mudd has passed away in a Seattle intensive care unit after a motorcycle accident two weeks ago John Clark is reporting.

The legendary offensive line coach was named the offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles after being talked out of retirement in 2011 by then-head coach Andy Reid.

One of the best to ever coach the position, Mudd was responsible for the Eagles allowing 17 fewer sacks than they had the previous season while helping LeSean McCoy lead the NFL in total touchdowns.

In his two seasons with the Eagles, Mudd was responsible for Jason Peters’ initial improvement, played a role in the Eagles selecting Jason Kelce, and helped Evan Mathis become one of the top guards in the NFL.

From 1998 to 2009, Mudd was the offensive line coach for Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, and Indianapolis Colts, with whom he won Super Bowl XLI.

Former Eagles great Tra Thomas has some apprehension about Jason Peters making the transition to right guard

Tra Thomas has some concern about Jason Peters playing right guard

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The Philadelphia Eagles are moving forward with Jason Peters in place of the injured Brandon Brooks, but that hasn’t stopped fans and some analysts from questioning whether or not it’s a good fit.

Peters has openly discussed playing guard if it would extend his career and with Brooks lost for the season due to a torn Achilles, he’ll get the chance to prove his versatility once again.

Former Eagles great and Pro Bowl left tackle Tra Thomas gave his opinion on the matter again recently and told Bleeding Green Nation that “he’s concerned” about Peters making the adjustment.

“To me, he’s been in a left-handed stance for 14, 15 years now. And you’re going to say, alright, let’s switch over and we’re going to move you over to the right side and, oh yeah, we’re gonna bump you down to guard? I think that’s a big ask. Especially when you don’t have any preseason games, any warmup, you’re not going through OTAs, you’re not going through any of that. Training camp is going to be modified. So you’re pretty much going to go from, hey, let’s move you over to right guard from a couple practices and then now they’re just going to throw you in the live fire in a game. That’s a big ask, when you’re asking someone that’s been in a left-handed stance for so long.”

When asked if he was concerned about Peters having success at guard, Thomas was honest and forthright in his assessment.

“I’m feeling concerned. I’m really feeling concerned about throwing JP in there at right guard. Only because he doesn’t have any preseason games to kind of get ready. Now, are you really going to have guys going at him like that in practice? Because that’s what’s going to have to happen. You know, you can’t go from pitter-patter to now you’re going to get out there and it’s going to be full tilt against some of these defensive tackles that are going to be coming after you. So that means practice is not going to be like how it was before, where you could go out there and chill, you have a young rusher that’s not going to really challenge you. You’re playing a totally different position, so now that means you have to get challenged on the regular in practice.”

Thomas brought up a good point in the article and whatever apprehension the Eagles currently have should go away as he continues to work against the likes of Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Javon Hargrave, Malik Jackson, and others.

It also doesn’t hurt that Peters will be insulated with Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson both flanking his inside, allowing the former left tackle to ease into his position switch.

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Why the Philadelphia Eagles are moving Jason Peters to right guard

Why the Philadelphia Eagles are moving Jason Peters to right guard

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The Eagles seemed prepared to move forward with Matt Pryor in place of the injured Brandon Brooks, but that didn’t stop fans and some analysts from clamoring for the return of Jason Peters.

Peters had previously openly discussed playing guard if it would extend his career and with Brooks lost for the season due to a torn Achilles, the question had been asked about Peters possibly switching positions.

Now that question is a reality after the Eagles signed Peters to a one-year deal to replace Brooks at right guard while continuing the Birds dominance up front.

Peters was PFF’s sixth-highest graded tackle in 2019 (83.4) and the Eagles are hoping that such efficient play will transition with him as he kicks down inside.

Peters knows the offense, he knows the system and what offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland expects from his group.   He can continue to mentor and help develop Andre Dillard without making the second-year pro feel nervous about his job status.

Former Eagles great and Pro Bowl left tackle Tra Thomas had previously weighed-in on Peters possible return and he wasn’t a believer.

“The skill isn’t the problem, it’s the wear and tear on the body,” Thomas explained. “If you are getting beat up out there playing defensive ends, you’re definitely going to get beat up playing offensive guard when you’re dealing with defensive tackles.”

“Everyone just thinks you can mix-and-match and just move around – it’s not that easy, to just move to different positions like that,” Thomas stressed. “Especially when you have been in a left-handed stance for so long, its takes a long-time to get that muscle memory to change.”

The future Hall of Famer was a tight end before moving to left tackle and has always been lauded for his extreme athleticism and nimble feet.

He’ll be covered by playing next to Lane Johnson, thus making the right side of the line dominant thanks to his familiarity with the All-Pro right tackle.

By bringing Peters back, the Eagles greatly improved their depth, add another swing-tackle to the lineup in case Dillard struggles or gets injured while ensuring that the 2019 first-round pick and Pryor continue to learn and develop under the best tutelage in the game.

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Former Eagles great Tra Thomas weighs-in on whether Jason Peters could replace Brandon Brooks at RG

Tra Thomas unsure Jason Peters could replace Brandon Brooks at RG

The Philadelphia Eagles seem prepared to move forward with Matt Pryor in place of the injured Brandon Brooks, but that hasn’t stopped fans and some analysts from clamoring for the return of Jason Peters.

Peters has openly discussed playing guard if it would extend his career and with Brooks lost for the season due to a torn Achilles, the question has been asked about Peters possibly switching positions.

Former Eagles great and Pro Bowl left tackle gave his opinion on the matter recently and told 97.3 ESPN, that Peters would have a hard time making the adjustment.

“The skill isn’t the problem, it’s the wear and tear on the body,” Thomas explained. “If you are getting beat up out there playing defensive ends, you’re definitely going to get beat up playing offensive guard when you’re dealing with defensive tackles.”

“Everyone just thinks you can mix-and-match and just move around – it’s not that easy, to just move to different positions like that,” Thomas stressed. “Especially when you have been in a left-handed stance for so long, its takes a long-time to get that muscle memory to change.”

Pryor, the likely choice to replace Brooks, has experience from the NFC Wild Card matchup against the Seahawks last January and his physically similar to the All-Pro in size.

Thomas liked what he saw from the former TCU star.

“I thought Matt Pryor came in and held his own,” Thomas said. I thought he was really good at protection, to me I don’t feel there was a major drop-off.”

The third-year guard has the chance to make himself a lot of money this season and could put himself in-line for a big deal on the open market or for potentially replacing Brooks if the Eagles decide to move on.

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Former Eagles star says Doug Pederson is to blame for Carson Wentz’s Struggles

Tra Thomas believes Doug Pederson is the reason Carson Wentz is struggling.

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Anytime the Eagles struggle or lose, the blame usually falls at the feet of quarterback Carson Wentz. For the franchise’s star signal caller, criticism comes with the big contract and Wentz has been getting a ton of it lately.

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One former Eagles legend is placing the blame on head coach Doug Pederson, though.

During his morning radio show with co-host Marc Frazetta, Tra Thomas, one of the greatest left tackles in franchise history (behind Jason Peters), blamed Wentz’s struggles and regression on Pederson.

“When I watch him on tape, I see him only looking to one side of the field, it tells me he’s taught that way,” Thomas said on 97.5 The Fanatic.

Wentz has had a penchant for staring down targets since his days at North Dakota State, but from Thomas’ viewpoint, Pederson gets paid to correct bad habits.

This season, Wentz has completed 210 of 343 passes (61%) for 2,274 yards and 16 touchdowns with four interceptions. He’s struggled as of late, but he’s the least of the Eagles’ problems.