Last week was rough for the Philadelphia Eagles.
It was bad enough they had to sit home for the Super Bowl and watch the Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots.
Days earlier, they also lost longtime offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland.
“Philadelphia, I’ve decided my time as coach with the Eagles has come to an end,” Stoutland wrote on social media. “When I arrived here in 2013, I didn’t know what I was signing up for. I quickly learned what this city demands. But more importantly, what it gives back.
“The past 13 years have been the greatest privilege of my coaching career. I didn’t just work here, I became one of you. Stout out.”
Notice that his statement did not include any thanks to coach Nick Sirianni, general manager Howie Roseman or owner Jeffrey Lurie.
Stoutland’s departure was reportedly prompted by Sirianni’s decision to reduce and ultimately take away his role as running back coordinator during the season. And the recent hiring of former Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion as offensive coordinator would mean having to learn and teach a new offensive system.
It marked the end of a productive reign that spanned 13 years and three head coaches in Chip Kelly, Doug Pederson and Sirianni. Stoutland coached and developed a group that became one of the league’s best offensive lines.
Centers Jason Kelce and Cam Jurgens; guards Brandon Brooks, Lane Dickerson and Evan Mathis; and tackles Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata and Jason Peters were all either voted to the Pro Bowl or earned All Pro honors.
“There is absolutely no one I credit more with the career I had than Jeff Stoutland,” Kelce said via social media. “The consistent passion and his eagerness to teach pushed my teammates, me, and our room to amazing success.
“More importantly, we became incredibly close as people. It was more than just coaching and teaching, it was his presence and sense of urgency that was unaccepting of mediocrity and potential left behind. He will undoubtedly be missed inside the building, and everyone that played for him. I am incredibly grateful to have played for Stout, 1 of 1 coach and person. I love you coach.”
Perhaps no one represented the impact he had on the franchise more than Mailata, a former Rugby player from Australia who was drafted as a 20 year old in the seventh round in 2018.
Mailata had never played football before he arrived in Philadelphia. He was so raw that he did not know how to put on shoulder pads or buckle a chin strap.
“I was fidgeting with my helmet,” Mailata said after his first minicamp workout in 2018. “My head felt like it was being choked. I had to pop it off once in a while and take a breather.”
Eight seasons later, he’s one of the best left tackles in the NFL.
Mailata deserves the bulk of the credit, but Stoutland was also a major factor.
“I’ve been crying about (Stoutland’s departure) to be honest,” Mailata told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Guy’s like my father. It hit me hard.”
It could have a profound impact on the Eagles’ offensive line going forward.
Both Johnson and Dickerson are said to be contemplating retirement. Johnson, who just finished his 13th NFL season, has been beset with injuries. Same for Dickerson, though he’s only 27 and a four-year NFL veteran.
As the saying goes, sometimes it’s better to walk away now than limp away later.
Less than a month has passed since the Eagles’ season ended with a first-round playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers and it’s already shaping up to be the their most tumultuous offseason since Pederson was fired at the end of the 2020 season.
Stoutland’s exit, Johnson’s and Dickerson’s uncertain futures, the decision to fire offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, and wide receiver A.J. Brown’s desire to play elsewhere could just be the start.
Local boxing takes a step forward
Regional boxing promoters Alex Barbosa of R&B Promotions, Larry Goldberg of Boxing Insider Promotions and Thomas and Debra LaManna of Rising Star Promotions have all played integral roles in Atlantic City’s mini-resurgence as a boxing town.
Barbosa just held his fifth show in the last year at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino last Saturday, Goldberg will stage his sixth card at Tropicana Atlantic City March 7, and the LaManna’s celebrated their 10th anniversary on the Boardwalk with a show at Bally’s Atlantic City two months ago.
It’s also gotten the occasional boost from major promoters such as Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, and Professional Boxing Champions (PBC).
It’s about to take another step forward on April 11. ProBox, in association with Sampson Boxing, will bring a card featuring world-ranked middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. (22-1, 13 KOs) to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Ballroom.
Mielnicki, from Roseland in Essex County, will take on Omar Ulyses Huerta (15-0-1, 13 KOs), of San Ysidro, California in a 10-round main event.
The 10-round co-feature will pit unbeaten welterweights Yan Marcos (14-0, 10 KOs) of Miami against Paterson’s Dwyke Flemmings Jr. (11-0, 10 KOs).
The entire card will be live streamed on Pro Box TV, which was founded in 2023 as the world’s only streaming service dedicated exclusively to professional boxing.
Speaking of boxing, Mays Landing heavyweight Rodney Brooks (6-0, 5 KOs) and Atlantic City light-heavyweight Christian Figueroa (2-0, 2 KOs) both earned wins at Hard Rock last Saturday.
Brooks, an Oakcrest High School graduate and former professional basketball player, posted a second-round knockout over Darius Lesane (3-1, 3 KOs), of Charlotte. Brooks landed a pair of big overhand rights that caused Lesane to fall through the ropes and out of the ring.
Figueroa, younger brother of unbeaten super-welterweight Justin Figueroa, netted a second-round TKO over Philadelphia’s Avonte Barr (1-4, 1 KO).
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
