Following In Dad's Foot(ball) Steps

By Phil Brame July 12, 2010

When Kevin Matthews did not hear his name in April's NFL Draft, he sat down with his dad to determine his next step. 

Nothing out of the ordinary, except Kevin Matthews' father happens to be a Pro Football Hall of Famer: former Titans offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. The decision took around thirty minutes. Matthews would sign with the Titans, his father’s only stop during a 19-year pro football career.

"It was an easy choice," Matthews said. "When draft day came around and I didn’t get picked up, it was basically between here and the Texans since my dad is with the Texans now. I talked with him for awhile and we both decided that this would be my best fit and my best place to contribute and make a roster spot."

Bruce Matthews joined the Texans last season as an assistant offensive line coach.

His son said his personal comfort level with the city of Nashville and the coaching staff made the decision even easier.

"Coach Munchak is his best friend and I’ve known all these guys for so long and been around for so long," Matthews said. "It was just a comfortable situation for me and my family."

As the rookie worked through June's OTA practices, he got fatherly advice via phone and one-on-one advice from Munchak. The long-time Offensive Line Coach inducted Kevin Matthews' father into the Hall of Fame three years ago. The two teammates combined for a dizzying list of awards: 23 Pro Bowl selections, 13 First Team All-Pro selections, and 7 Second Team All-Pro selections.

"I always call my dad after practice and talk to him about what I’m struggling with," Matthews said. "He’ll give me his advice, then tell me go ask Coach Munchak."

Continuity in the Titans organization also helped Matthews adjust more quickly to life in the NFL. When his father played his last season, 2001, Jeff Fisher had completed his eighth season as Head Coach. Mike Heimerdinger held the position of offensive coordinator. Fast forward to 2010, and both men, along with Munchak, still occupy the same posts.

"It’s interesting to coach guys when I’ve played with their dads," Munchak said. "It makes you feel old I guess. But it’s exciting to have him. He’s an undrafted free agent, but has a good chance to play here and develop over time."

Signing Matthews as an undrafted free agent might seem like a tribute to the only franchise Hall of Famer to suit up as a Titan. But the younger Matthews gained acclaim at Texas A&M where he started every game of his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, he earned an honorable mention for the Big XII Coaches All Conference Team and appeared on the “watch list” for the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the nation's top collegiate center.

"He’s a guy with that flexibility of going at center or guard,” Munchak said. "He’s comfortable at both spots so that’s a big plus."

That kind of versatility in positions has been a mainstay of Munchak's offensive lines overt the years.  Matthews will compete with Troy Kropog and Ferdando Velaso to replace Leroy Harris as the team's utility backup when training camp opens later this month. Harris will replace Kevin Mawae in the starting lineup.

Matthews can look to his dad, who could be considered one of the most versatile offensive linemen to every play in the NFL. The senior Matthews went to the Pro Bowl at every position along the line, a fact that hit home with Kevin Matthews at the 2007 Canton induction ceremony.

"My favorite part was playing his highlight video and when Coach Munchak was talking about how big of an ass he was," Matthews said. "He talked about all the backup spots he held and being the backup punter and the reserve quarterback.  For someone to take up so many spots without them having to bring in another guy is unbelievable. Hopefully I can do half of the stuff he did."

As he prepares for the battle, Kevin Matthews will dig into the playbook and his father's memory bank. Matthews said his father’s familiarity with the offense hasn’t decayed much, if at all.

"He’s got the memory of an elephant and he still remembers every single play," Matthews said. "I’ll be describing one to him and he’ll go ‘yeah that’s such and such play’."

Kevin Matthews understands his father's legacy. Now, he said his time has arrived to see what the NFL holds for him.

"I definitely feel more comfortable after going through multiple OTAs," Matthews said. "It’s a comfort level. You get up here and it’s very intimidating because you’re playing with guys that are eight or nine years older than you."

"To make it in the NFL you can’t make mistakes and that’s something I feel I’ve gotten better at as the OTAs progressed."