Props to the Inquirer for their in-depth look at the Eagles decision makers. In an article that explores the relationship between Andy Reid and Joe Banner, it becomes clear that coach does not make all the decisions. In fact, Joe Banner is the man.
According to an internal source quoted in the article, “Joe’s the guy. Case closed.” Now, we are taking that out of context, but that is a strong quote. In context, the source discusses what irks Reid about banner is what Boston Joe says publicly sometimes. Still, the source indicates that Joe rarely loses any real internal debates.
Joe Banner and Andy Reid have worked to make the Eagles a top NFL franchise. Who has the final call? A source says it's Banner.
There is plenty of other juicy stuff in the article — and some boring crap as well. For now, let’s read into this one little portion. If Joe wins out on everything, and he is the one who says what the Eagles can offer players — as Sheldon Brown is quoted as saying — then you’d have to think that if Reid had his way, Brian Dawkins and, possibly, Donovan McNabb are still in Eagles uniforms.
Reid won with Dawkins and McNabb. You think he likes the prospect of entering next year without either guy?
While Reid may or may not have though McNabb was mentally right for Philly, you can bet he’d feel more comfortable with mcnabb behind center, especially if his job could be on the line. And, make no mistake, it is.
Banner is the one who said last offseason, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.”
If you don’t think that quote had something to do with McNabb being shipped to Washington, you’re kidding yourself. Banner basically took the Tampa Bay Bucs mindset that caused Tony Dungy to move to Indianapolis. Dungy had turned around the franchise but couldn’t get the Bucs past the NFC title game. They fired him, traded for Jon Gruden and won a Super Bowl. I’m sure we all remember that year as it was the Eagles second of four straight NFC Title game appearances.
Tampa made an unpopular move and won a title. Honestly, the Eagles run to the NFC Title game in 2008 likely kept McNabb and Reid here last year.
Now, how was moving McNabb Banner’s decision and not Reid’s? Reid said after the year that McNabb was the starting quarterback. He knows what Mcnabb can do. He, like the rest of us, don’t know Kolb’s full potential or lack thereof. Two games does not make a career. Last year at this time, we all though Kolb was the next second round bust in the Reid era.
Our guess is that, all things being equal, Reid would have made another run with McNabb. But, he also wasn’t going to put his job on the line to keep the only QB he’s known. Banner wanted McNabb dealt and once he inserted his own protege, Howie Roseman, as GM, No. 5 received a one-way plane ticket out of town.
Hard to believe it, but this pipsqueek is the most powerful man of our NFL franchise.
Reid is the guy who brought good football sense to Philly and he’s publicly touted as The Man at the NovaCare Complex. But, Banner is the guy who ultimately determines how the roster is constructed in terms of dollars and cents, and that does play a role in who is on the team. If not, Dawkins, Brown and McNabb are likely still here.
Sunday’s article confirms what we’ve all known for the last three years — Banner runs the team, not Reid. The only question now is this: Is it Super Bowl or bust for Reid? Is there a Jon Gruden on Banner’s radar?
