Banner talks McNabb's future, 'best roster' comment
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Banner talks McNabb's future, 'best roster' comment
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Eagles president Joe Banner joined 950 ESPN's Mike Missanelli this evening and touched on a variety of topics: Michael Vick, the perception that he's arrogant, Donovan McNabb's future and more.
Where to begin?
Let's start with McNabb.
Missanelli painted a scenario in which the Eagles did not win the Super Bowl this season. He asked Banner if McNabb would still be back.
"I can't envision a scenario in which Donovan McNabb is still playing and we won't be doing everything we can to keep him a member of the Philadelphia Eagles," Banner said.
Missanelli pushed him to be a little more specific, and Banner gave McNabb a pretty strong vote of confidence.
"Now if you tell me he tore his ACL and the doctor thinks he may never walk again, I mean I'm not going to tell you that that's an absolutely positive, but I can't envision a scenario, knowing what we think of him and his capabilities, in which he's not leading this team, not even just for the next year or two, but for as long as he's wanting to play."
And as things go nowadays, we'll follow McNabb with Vick. Banner offered his thoughts on why the Eagles brought in the troubled quarterback, but no new ground was really broken there.
What was more interesting was his response when Missanelli brought up the theory that the Eagles made the move to steal attention back from the Phillies, who are preparing to defend their world championship in a few weeks. Let's just say Banner didn't buy that theory. In fact, he sounded flat-out offended.
"Frankly, it's both insulting and absurd," he said. "And it has to just completely ignore any facts about the interest that there is in the Philadelphia Eagles. And I really don't know how people could be that misinformed other than obviously the media is not actively covering our popularity."
Banner added that their research indicates the Eagles' popularity is pretty much at an all-time high. He cited sales, hits on their Web site, training camp attendance, TV ratings and more.
He also referenced the tremendous popularity of NFL blog, Moving the Chains.
OK, I made that last part up.
"You have to be massively misinformed, having nothing to do with the interest and excitement about the Phillies, you just have to be so massively misinformed about the reality of the interest in this team and the factual existence of information to support that to think that we probably ever are going to be in a position with Philadelphia where we have to do something to prop up the interest of the team," Banner said.
While I thought his defense was a bit much, it's tough to disagree with Banner here.
Meanwhile, you get the feeling that he is going to be asked about the whole "best roster in the NFL" comment during every interview he does the rest of the season. Maybe even the rest of his life.
At least Banner seems to understand that's how it's going to be.
"What I said was I believe that at this moment we have the most talented roster in the NFL," he said "And then the second sentence was that statement becomes irrelevant after the first day of training camp. And I was asked 'Well why does it become irrelevant?' I said because what really matters is how well the people perform, how well does the team mesh, how many injuries you have. So if you take the first part of the sentence, it's a very arrogant, really meaningless statement, and frankly one if we don't have a good season, that will probably be thrown into my face many times."
And finally, Missanelli asked Banner if he is aware people consider him arrogant. Banner said he doesn't believe it's a large group of people, but it is something he thinks about from time to time.
"It's a small minority, and it bothers me because it's not a description that I would welcome, nor do I think is fair, but I am aware that there are people out there that believe that," he said.
How about the question, "arrogant Banner, why did you sign a dog killer?"— Dr. Michael
Comment removed.- Every time I read or hear Banner, Lurie, or Reid comments I just think to myself "way out of touch." It is true, only a small minority of people think he is arrogant, but that's only because a small minority of people have even heard of him. Out of those who have, a large majority think he is arrogant.— jtj06
- Well Dr. Michael; he did a very bad thing; but he did his time; so can he be free know and just play ball; why don't you hunt down your friends that stole pensions and 401ks and didn't do no time.— TDW 21
- Can we talk about Banner's future? SHORT future hopefully— pflynn20
- Banner is a classy guy. I like how he handles himself.— MD20202020
- Joe Banner... you are the man!— Sillies
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I never thought I would see Dawk in another uniform either but it only goes to show the insincerity, arogance and lack of respect during the Lurie/Banner/Reid tenure for the sacred public trust that our Birds are.— Earl J- Listen, I hated to see Dawk go to, especially watching him play against the Bears in another uniform...but hey! That's business! Lurie and Banner deal in Eagles business. Everything they do will not please the fans. The Vick signing? Pleasing! I wouldn't say he's a classy guy but he does know business.
- Panthro22......Yeah, that is business, but at some point in time the monetary bottom line isn't the most important thing in business. If the bottom line wasn't waived for Dawk, the bottom line will never be waived. Dawk brought a lot more to the team than money could buy. I would therefore disagree with you when you say he does know business and say he only knows the monetary side of business.— Voytas
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- Get used to it Joe you are the second team in town now and with you as GM this team will start to fall apart. 7-9 this year and a string of bad years ahead. Letting Dawkins leave over a couple million was a joke. How is Demps working out now?— fthebirds
- The Birds would have been a better team this year with Dawkins on the field AND in the locker room. Banner tried to play poker with the ultimate Eagle and got his clock cleaned like everyone else dumb enough to cross Dawk's path.— Earl J
- I picture philly10 as one of those old guy muppets that sits up in the balcony and heckles kermit.— BudSelig_isthenext_MrBurns
- its funny how you momo's on this board bash banner and the FO. the guy has helped bring numerous winning seasons to this town. who cares if he's arrogant or not, he's got a young core here without settling for losing seasons, and a great coaching staff. It's up to the players to bring it home.— sore richard
- What is PHYCHO?— P Even
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- 8-8 this year if they're lucky!— bcmojo
- jdmadda.......Who is providing leadership? McNabb? Give me a break.— Voytas
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- This is all so hilarious. Joe Banner will preside over the Eagles falling apart? Earth to idiot: Joe Banner has presided over the most successful period in the Eagles Franchise history! The Eagles don't need to steal attention away from the Phillies. He's right - the idea is absurd, and completely ignorant of all existing data on the Eagles' popularity. You know getting rid of Dawkins was smart since everyone in Philly thinks otherwise. Watching Dawkins play is the ultimate proof the Eagles did the right thing. He was unreliable because he was constantly injured. He was COMPLETELY UNABLE to cover a WR, TE or RB. Guess what? If a safety gets beat, there is no one behind him to recover the mistake. And, truth be told, Dawkins ALWAYS STUNK at coverage. He could blitz. That's nice, but if he could cover, they wouldn't have had to blitz so often. He could hit hard. Just ask Dawkins, he'll tell you. See, Dawkins inflicted more pain on himself than any of his opponents. That's how he gave himself a neck stinger not so long ago. He has a broken hand now, and hasn't played all pre-season. He'll be on the field very rarely this season, and when he is, he'll be getting burned by all the athletes he can't cover. And so much for his "leadership". Under his "leadership", the defense cost this team AT LEAST TWO NFC championship games. Anyone who watched AZ's last drive, cutting through the defense like butter, knows that Dawkins and his leadership meant nothing in the biggest moments. And Demps won't be replacing him. Sean Jones will be, or Macho Harris. Dawkins was a liability. Kudos to Banner for realizing it. And who really cares if the GM is arrogant? You weren't invited to be having drinks with him anyway! Comparing Banner to the fans, I'd rather be arrogant than completely stupid!— montgomeryhopkins
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- He has to be arrogant not to think he's arrogant. What a weisel.— ALJ
- I heard that interview. Banner couldn't even bring himself to say ANYTHING nice or positive about the Phillies when that issue came up. Anyone who heard that interview could tell that the success of the Phillies eats at the Eagles' organization. And Banner and/or Lurie will never explain why it was necessary to split his fan base the way they did with the Vick signing. The Phillies treat their fans great, and "get it." The Eagles see their fans as nothing more than money in their pockets.— rw55
- The Eagles were supposed to get clearance from the fans before signing Vick? The notion warrants no response. And as far as a "split" with the fan base, judging from the reaction of the fans in the seats, there's no split. As for Banner not bringing a SB trophy to the team: You seem to be suggesting the Eagles HAD THE TALENT ON THE FIELD to be able to win one. AND THAT'S THE GM'S JOB! He has provided the coaches with enough talent to win a championship. The coaches and the players have to execute consistently to get it done. That's not Banner's fault. The talent has been there. LJL - you must have missed every NFC championship game, and most of every season. Because to any knowledgeable fan, the most frustrating thing has been that championship-caliber rosters have not lived up to their full potential to win ONE SB out of five trips to the NFC champ. And they were one efficient 2-minute drill away from winning the one SB they played in. According to your logic, practically every front office executive throughout the league in the history of the game has been abysmal, because 99% of them don't work for championship teams. I dare say you couldn't even manage the salary cap properly, let alone everything else the front office does.— montgomeryhopkins
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