Watching ComcastSportsNet’s Michael Barkann interview Eagles VP Joe Banner on Tuesday night I couldn’t help myself but think this guy really isn’t in touch with reality with some of the things he said. Then again what he said was the samethings he’s been saying for years.Sam Donnellon had a good article about it in Wednsday’s Daily News, so The Sports Den is going to take some of the things he said and compare it to what the reality is.

Joe Banner – Eagles fans are overwhelmingly happy with Andy Reid and Donovan McNaab.

Reality – Since we talk to more Eagles fans than Joe Banner does, we’re going to say there is a 50-50 split on fans who like McNabb and Reid and those who don’t, could be off a liitle bit on that either way not scientific. Here’s my reason for NOT being overwhelmingly happy with Reid and McNabb. I’ve been a season ticket holder (invester) for the last 18 years, and still have not seen a return for my investment (Super Bowl Trophy). The Eagles have had 5 opportunities in the last 8 years and have failed to show that return, would any management team in any company still have a job that didn’t show its investers a return? This includes Joe Banner. So you can probably expect more critizism.

Joe Banner – He doesn’t have a problem with Andy Reid wearing too many hats( job titles).

Reality – The reality here is having that much controll doesn’t work. Don’t think its true? Just ask Reid’s mentor Mike Holmgren how it worked out. he left Green Bay for Seattle foro the control the Seahawks were willing to give him that the Packers weren’t. How did it work out, once Seattle realized it wasn’t working out that well the stripped Holmgren of all his job titles except for coach and guess what? The Seahawks went to the Super Bowl. Weren’t the Eagles in the Super Bowl when Reid was just a head coach and not in charge of everything else?

Joe Banner – Was comparing Andy Reid to Hall of fame coach John Madden saying their coaching numbers were about the same except Madden did win a Super Bowl.

Reality – The jury is still out on wether or not Andy Reid is a Hall of Fame worthy coach. Yes, he is the winningest coach in Eagles history, he has been here longer than any other coach, so he should be the winningest.He has been to 5 NFC Title games losing four, which is making the one win look like a fluke.He has had some good drafts and bad ones, and bought in some good free agents and some bad ones, that happens with every team, since the draft and free agency are just a roll of the dice and hoping you get lucky. Winning a Super Bowl would probably guarantee it.

Joe Banner – He did mention again when asked about a WR that the Eagles did sign T.O. and they didn’t win a Super Bowl, and you really don’t need a big time receiver to win.

Reality – The Eagles receivers are good not great, they did lead the league in dropped passes, wouldn’t it be a nice insurance polcy to go out and sign a big wide receiver you can count on? Just don’t resign L.J. Smith.

These are just a few things that were discussed, there were some more that I’m just not going to get into, not worth it really. The Eagles have a good team, like those other years they just weren’t good enough, and the Eagles said the same old things. The first time the Eagles lost to Kurt Warner in a NFC Championship game, they went on to three straight appearances afterward, will that happn again? With the way the NFC is there is that possibilty. Let’s just hope the Eagles do enough soul searching and evaluating to not let the same results happen again.When they do their soul searching they should ask themselves this question. How do you want to be remembered? Super Bowl Champions or Chokers?

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