PA Season Ticket Holder
06-05-2003, 02:15 PM
There's mounting speculation in league circles that Eagles president Joe Banner could try to pull a Modrak on coach/G.M. Andy Reid if the Birds don't soar past the NFC title game in 2003.
Though we've heard nothing directly from Philly to substantiate this possibility, league insiders carefully are watching the relationship between Banner and Reid as training camp approaches.
Some are attaching much significance to the fact that Banner has remained conspicuously quiet in connection with the string of adversities that the Eagles have faced this offseason, pointing most recently to the contract-fueled absences from voluntary workouts of running back Duce Staley and cornerback Bobby Taylor.
It's a common theme that we've noticed over the past couple of years. When all goes well, the cap-and-contracts guys thump their chests. When the toilet bowl starts to rumble, however, the guys who don't make the football decisions crawl under the closest sheet of Teflon and wait for the dust to settle.
In the end, the Joe Banners of the NFL world typically will still have a gig. The Andy Reids won't.
And the past experiences of Tom Modrak and Ray Rhodes make the present situation in Philly even more intriguing. Banner is close enough to the owner to know when traces of dissatisfaction start to emerge -- and Banner likewise is smart enough to run for cover at the first hint that heads could be rollin'.
Of course, it's hardly a one-way street. We've previously heard that Donovan McNabb's candid remarks regarding free-agent departures occurred at Reid's behest, presumably in an effort to focus attention on the fact that Banner had a fairly significant role in the fact that several Eagles flew the coop since March 1.
So brace yourself for a possible explosion in Philly, if the Eagles sputter this year. Though Banner has been able to survive past purges, we expect Reid to fight hard for his turf.
TRAYLOR IN, TED OUT IN CHITOWN?
Though it once appeared that defensive tackle Keith Traylor would be released by the Bears, we're now hearing that Ted Washington could be the one who draws the short, fat straw.
Per one of our Chicago moles, word is that G.M. Jerry Angelo is disappointed by Washington's weight and health. In contrast, coach Dick Jauron remains high on Traylor.
It nevertheless is possible that both Traylor and Washington will go. Traylor's fate ultimately could be tied to the status of Bryan Robinson. If/when Robinson's expected four-game suspension expires, Robinson could be moved inside -- and Traylor could be out like Richard Chamberlain (or insert the name of any football player who comes to mind . . . not that there's anything wrong with that).
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm
Though we've heard nothing directly from Philly to substantiate this possibility, league insiders carefully are watching the relationship between Banner and Reid as training camp approaches.
Some are attaching much significance to the fact that Banner has remained conspicuously quiet in connection with the string of adversities that the Eagles have faced this offseason, pointing most recently to the contract-fueled absences from voluntary workouts of running back Duce Staley and cornerback Bobby Taylor.
It's a common theme that we've noticed over the past couple of years. When all goes well, the cap-and-contracts guys thump their chests. When the toilet bowl starts to rumble, however, the guys who don't make the football decisions crawl under the closest sheet of Teflon and wait for the dust to settle.
In the end, the Joe Banners of the NFL world typically will still have a gig. The Andy Reids won't.
And the past experiences of Tom Modrak and Ray Rhodes make the present situation in Philly even more intriguing. Banner is close enough to the owner to know when traces of dissatisfaction start to emerge -- and Banner likewise is smart enough to run for cover at the first hint that heads could be rollin'.
Of course, it's hardly a one-way street. We've previously heard that Donovan McNabb's candid remarks regarding free-agent departures occurred at Reid's behest, presumably in an effort to focus attention on the fact that Banner had a fairly significant role in the fact that several Eagles flew the coop since March 1.
So brace yourself for a possible explosion in Philly, if the Eagles sputter this year. Though Banner has been able to survive past purges, we expect Reid to fight hard for his turf.
TRAYLOR IN, TED OUT IN CHITOWN?
Though it once appeared that defensive tackle Keith Traylor would be released by the Bears, we're now hearing that Ted Washington could be the one who draws the short, fat straw.
Per one of our Chicago moles, word is that G.M. Jerry Angelo is disappointed by Washington's weight and health. In contrast, coach Dick Jauron remains high on Traylor.
It nevertheless is possible that both Traylor and Washington will go. Traylor's fate ultimately could be tied to the status of Bryan Robinson. If/when Robinson's expected four-game suspension expires, Robinson could be moved inside -- and Traylor could be out like Richard Chamberlain (or insert the name of any football player who comes to mind . . . not that there's anything wrong with that).
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm