Banner Out As Eagles President
By Jim Melwert
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Joe Banner is no longer president of the Philadelphia Eagles. A team spokesman confirms a report, saying the team was informed in an e-mail early Thursday morning.
There have been off-season reports of a power struggle involving head coach Andy Reid, something he has denied. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie tells the Philadelphia Inquirer this move has nothing to do with any power struggles and it's merely what he calls a front office succession plan.
But some Eagles fans aren't buying that.
"No, this is definitely Andy Reid. He wants the power. He wants to be able to say who stays, who goes and what free-agents come in."
Banner figured out the NFL's salary cap using a formula most teams in the league have copied. He was also key in working deals to build the Linc.
The report says Banner will stay with the team in a consulting role, but is free to pursue other opportunities.
Chief Operating Officer Don Smolenski will run the day-to-day operations, and General Manager Howie Roseman will take over juggling the salary cap and contract negotiations.
