Ding dong the witch is dead?
Something like that.
You are waking up this morning to news that Joe Banner is no longer the Eagles’ president.
In an exclusive story on the cover of the Inquirer, the Eagles told beat writer Jeff McLane that Banner will no longer be the team's president. He will become a strategic adviser to the owner and will be allowed to “pursue opportunities outside the organization,” which may include being part of a group that buys sports teams.
Banner will be replaced by chief operating officer Don Smolenski and Howie Roseman will take over contract negotiations, something he was pretty much already spearheading anyway.
Asked if a power struggle, reported by the LA Times this spring, played a role in the move, Andy Reid said:
"There's always a report [about] a power struggle. That's not the case at all. . . . You only have so much time to have an opportunity to be in this business. And so, [Banner has] got goals for himself and wants to do those things. Just like we do with [assistant] coaches – give them an opportunity to move on and fulfill their goals."
One may wonder how a story this big makes the front page of the paper without leaking sooner, and the answer is quite simple: The Eagles have long given exclusives to the Inquirer, and at times used them as a mouthpiece of sorts. This is a perfect example of that.
Daily News beat writer Les Bowen, who once punched McLane in the head, added some color to the topic, saying on his blog that he wasn't surprised by the news… or Banner's choice to – and I quote – "summon a representative from the Inquirer to impart the news": [Philly.com]
At the Eagles' Youth Partnership Playground Build last week, I chased Joe around while he conferred with State Sen. Hardy Williams, then attended to urgent business with a paintbrush, too busy to do anything but tell me over his shoulder that his role wasn't changing. When it came time to admit it was, he summoned a representative from the Inquirer to impart the news, which is Banner's longtime custom.
Press conference today at 2:30 p.m.
One thing you can expect is local sports reporters covering this like it is the end of days. So, I ask you, the reader: On a scale from 1 to wake me when September begins, how much do you care about this?
28 Responses
right up there with the draft, the first 2 preseason games, and ota’s… so, -4?
he enjoyed the cap
I second that chilly.. -4
Lurie’s still the owner. Non-story…
With the Phillies being so depressing, this is a small ray of sunshine.
I like this. We couldn’t win a super bowl with him as president, so a change is now needed.
Kyle, about time you joined the party, you can’t sleep in now that you quit your job, this story broke around 3 am, fuckin toolbag
No more Joe ‘Nickels’ Banner jokes from the one guy with 5 accouns on philly.com. I’ll call it a +1.
Thats a great pic of banner making that face you want to punch.
Joe’s gotta do a better job wherever he lands. Time’s yours Kyle
I like the fact that some Eagles fans are soooo ridiculous that they feel Joe Banner was the reason they didnt win the Super Bowl. Not Mike Vick throwing 20 INTs last year. I hope the whole regime quits soon, so I can actually enjoy football season without the cry baby Eagles fans destroying the season for me.
3-13 team when he got here, 8-8 team when he left, trophy case still empty.
Somebody blow me where the pampers is.
I care about this, as much as I care about Wing Bowl, or Andy Reid eating another Cheesesteak. Nothing changes, it’s the same old fucked up shit show.
for me 0. I know he was a whipping post but I don’t think he has had much input on the on field talent. His lack of personality never bothered me as much as your run of the mill 610 caller
Surprised fat andy has outlasted jewfrey lurie’s chief penny counter. Must have been brutal watching him leave a 12% tip at restaurants all these years.
Les Bowen has to be one of the most crotchity old bastards in the industry. Think he is feeling a little jealous it wasnt he that was “summond”. im starting to think Les is becoming a little insane, have you ever seen his twitter profile pic?
Not going to miss that smarmy little f-er at all.
Andy Reid hates jews
Jeffery stole Paul Holmgren gun
Joe Banner may have been one of the ten most annoying sports figures ever to walk the streets of Philadelphia, but the man knew the salary cap forwards, backwards and sideways and manipulated it better than maybe anyone else in the NFL. This could wind up being a big deal down the road if Smolenski doesn’t have Banner’s expertise.
2! These are the days I hate the Eagles fanbase an media. As a Eagles and Philadelphia sports fan, there is nothing worse the boring ass media, radio, and tv no stop coverage of Eagles news this time of the year.
Is that Banner’s side profile ALL THE TIME? jesus christ, looks like alfred hitchcock if he had downs syndrome! and andy reid looks like he is working with a solid set of D cups… made me for real LOL thinking back to when they showed him as a kid in the punt pass and kick competion and he was like 6 foot and like 225!
Lay off on ripping Coach Reid you nitwits dopes and morons.
Coach Reid has accomplished more in his 13yrs of coaching the Eagles,than most of you dopes have accomplished in your pathetic lives.
I commend Coach Reid for putting up with you people for as long as he has.
1SUPER BOWL appearance,and five nfc title games,and you people are still bitching and complaining damn Eagle fans.
^ Who the fuck does this guy think he is yo?
Of course he loves Reid, he’s a Giants fan… I used the same rational as a Phillies fan to adore Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya.
Andy will never win a superbowl as HC. I promise.
Poor guy I hope he doesn’t have to sell any of his yachts.
Can we get new uniforms, please? I’m tired of the angry bird and want to go back to old days of the classic green wing on the helmet.
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