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OK, so Ive got some RARE Time this morning to kinda get into the meat of some of the recent remarks by Banner and Reid yesterday and it's kinda got me wondering.

Whats to be made of Banner's public endorsement of FB and 5?

Smokescreen to up 5s value?
(The plausie D is there in the way he carefully worded his endorsement, stating that he cant imagine a scenario in which 5 wouldnt be their QB in 2008- but could he imagine an offer that may come along that would blow their socks off?)

Is it to be coupled with Reids backing of McNabb yesterday, sayin that he's their QB the rest of the way out?

If you take both these statements and pair em up and believe them, then it begs the question:

Do they think they have enuff to make ONE LAST DITCH RUN AT THE WHOLE SHABANG?
I don't know HOW they could, but they do keep saying that they just had some bad breaks this yr, how they're a hair off etc.
Couple that with McNabbs injury this yr and the beleif that he'll be much better next yr, and that they have a marquee back in Westy who'll be in his prime next yr, and some names on D who are likely good for another year (THIS IS THEIR THINKING- NOT NECESARILY MINE) like Dawkins? Spikes? There's some age along the OL at the tackle position, but they could likely get one more year outta each of them as well. They're goin to have money to spend this yr, both in the cap goin up, and ditchin the Howard and Kearse money.

They go against the grain, spend big on a couple players who have tread left on the tires and will be here after this last ditch run, they sit Kolb another year (and then you look back on 2007 draft and just shake your head)and you hope for a rebound year from McNabb 1 yr removed from his surgery, Reid 1 yr removed from the drama with his sons, and make the most of their high seeding in the draft in 08, puttin a team on the field that will compete with the Cowboys for the NFC East and beyond?

Again, i wouldn't endorse this and would just as soon start the new era in the final 2 games of this season, move McNabb etc.....

But this is TWO times in the last 4 days that we've been told to expect McNabb back as well as Reid in 2008.

One thing this team does do is try to influence/control public sentiment by bracing them for what they've got coming in the media. This could be more of that and wonder what you all think.

Nice to be able to post for more than 1 minute here or there in the bleeds for a change. When I do post @ length anymore, it seems Im usually sucked into the concourse. I far prefer the bleeds.

They're going after Terrell Suggs

See, I think they try and use smokescreens instead of bracing people. They never really let it known ahead of time people like Hugh or Trotter are being released, or that TO or Kearse will be signed. I think they try and do things under the radar, then barely comment on it.

You think? I'd rather have Jared Allen, for the record.

I am starting to believe they are going to give it one last crack with the core intact. It's a sad, sad truth to comes to terms with.

I think Howard is gone for sure and Kearse has a slight chance to stay.

I think they'll attempt to trade for a WR...Fitzgerald would be the perfect fit if he's truly available (because of his "character").

I think they'll leave the LBs as they are. I think the O-line stays as is. I think they will potentially tag LJ. I think they'll draft a CB with their first pick. I think they'll try to trade for a safety or sign one (like Bob Sanders, if he ends up being available).

I think it will ultimately be fruitless, though they should be able to get back to the playoffs pretty easily.

Some good examples (tho I seem to recall both Hugh and Trotters exits bein forshadowed by 'critical commentary' on the EMB by Spuds re: their decline in play. In 54s case it was all but flat out assasination of how heavy he got, how slow footed he was etc- over and over and over).


There is an element of surprise to thier moves at times, yes. More in the acquisistion dept. id say and with good reason.
Acquiring players can be cut throat.
See one Staph Infectioned Center currently residing in Cleveland.


I think with a guy like McNabb and Reid as well, such key/central figures, they'd likely wanna get a feel for how the reaction would be, etc, and try to influence it before making any moves.

I have never seen a more image concious sports franchise, honestly.

I don't think Allen will hit the market, and there is a rumor from an employee they'll go after suggs

Sorry, my post was for KB.

FD, I think Ive come round to that feeling as well and as I stated, its definately takin the edge off what I thought could be a very interesting offseason.
Agree they could make the postseason, but whats the point really?

Gillick have a nephew in the Eagles F.O.?

I'd be alright with Suggs, sure. Like I said, they're goin to have some cashola this yr unlike last yr.

Seth, they still didn't out and out say what they were doing with those guys, though, and they tried to keep Trotter with the franchise.

I've said this 100 times, I don't think they care what the fans think, which is why popular players leave here, why they took McNabb instead of Ricky, why they only ever went after a WR once, why they've never really addressed the LB position, why Kolb hasn't taken a real snap (besides those 3 carries in the blowout), etc.

FD, I think Ive come round to that feeling as well and as I stated, its definately takin the edge off what I thought could be a very interesting offseason.
Agree they could make the postseason, but whats the point really?

I agree it's pointless, but you're asking Reid and Heckert to make a rational decision on the team they built from top to bottom. This is the first team they constructed almost start to finish. Other than Tra and Dawk, I don't think there is a player on this roster that Reid or Heckert didn't hand pick.

If you have to walk into the bosse's office and tell Lurie what the future looks like are you going to say "Geez...we really blew these last 5 or 6 years and we've got to start over" or will you say "We're really close, Boss. We need a couple players to turn this thing around and go all the way".

Those two should be canned on the spot if they are honest (specifically Heckert) about where this team is.

I don't think Allen will hit the market, and there is a rumor from an employee they'll go after suggs

I'd be happy they are giving it a shot (if they make a run at Suggs), but I think it would ultimately be a mistake.

He hasn't played on the line in 5 years or so and his numbers have been declining. since a fast start. I just wonder if he's goign to be worth anything sloe to what he'll get (Probably $20+ million signing bonus?)

I've said this 100 times, I don't think they care what the fans think, which is why popular players leave here, why they took McNabb instead of Ricky, why they only ever went after a WR once, why they've never really addressed the LB position, why Kolb hasn't taken a real snap (besides those 3 carries in the blowout), etc"
-KB


I agree that they ultimately wont let the fans desires/attitudes dictate to them what they do.
But I think they'd like to have as many on board with what they're goin to do as possible, hence the stuff that you get in the press etc that paves the way for some bigger moves.

Trotter was too slow, fat. That was parrotted by MANY fans after they continued to hear it/read it.

The Eagles aren't cheap. How many times does Banner go on the tube or radio to dispell these notions? Its part of his job description; "4 times a year you will appear on a form of electronic media and detail how it is that the organization is not cheap."

Probably not, he'll fit right in

That all came out after they tried to keep Trotter, and it got ugly. That wasn't typical in how it played out.

As for how Banner says they're not cheap, that's not being up front about possible moves. It's him saying how much money they spend.

Seriously, I can't think of one move that was done to placate the fans, other than TO, which was more for McNabb, IMO.

Everything they do pisses off the fans, so I don't see how it can be said that they're worried about their image.

They're extremely arrogant, and consider us complete morons, so they weight what we say with as much importance as we do with F_B.

The most important thing right now is "Lose".

Their are 8 teams that currently sport a worse record than the Eagles. There are another 8 teams with the same record as the Eagles or 1 win ahead of them. All of those teams have a very realistic shot of finishing ahead or behind the Birds in the final standings.

If they lose out or at least lose 2 of 3, they should be in line for a top 12 pick. If they win a couple games (please no), there is a chance they pick in the 16ish range.

In the draft, that's the difference between Suggs and McDougle.

The most important thing right now is "Lose".

For the fans, sure.

For the company, no way. They will scratch and claw at any chance to finish near .500. Finishing 5-11 would be seen as hurting future marketability. 7-9 would be so much more respectable to them.

Granted, they can sell the "McNabb was hurt for awhile, remember?" line a bit next year. Maybe even a little hype about settling some scores.

Will they drop games on purpose, though? Not likely. And they can't even get Kolb some garbage time for fear of adding to the increasing belief in the press that McNabb is fading.

I dont think theyve every tried to placate the fans either.

And the JT stuff was off and running the day after they lost to N.O. in the playoffs and was ever present throughout.

Perhaps its cos it was JT that I was more in tune to it, but I noticed it THROUGOUT. The smear campaign was there, likely cos they suspected he was shot and would potentially have to move him outta here- him being 1 of the most popular Eagles of the past 15 yrs or so.

I don't remember it that way. It would be weird for them to smear a guy they were trying to sign and placed the franchise tag on. I remember towards the end, when he was disgruntled.

But even afterwards, the fans were pissed off, especially when the most notable replacement was Kirkland.

This is a good article about the Trotter situation. They tried to sign him to a $25 million contract. He declined. They tried to keep him by franchising him, and he got pissed and started ripping Reid.

That's when all the BS started.

Oh, I think you and I are discssin two dif. Trotter situations.

I was talkin about last offseason, ("right after they lost to N.O.), not the 1st time around.

Oh, well yeah, I think this pre-season we could all see he was out of gas, especially after last year. It would have been silly for anyone to act like he was a Pro Bowler again.

Again, agreed- but they took steps to grease the skids for his departure as I feel they do consider backlashes and the release of someone like JT coulda easily been seen as a catalyst by the F.O. for just such a reaction.

I can see them going another year with McNabb, but IF he comes back the way all ecpect him to and leads the team back to the top of the NFC, what do they do in the off season?!? IF he returns to PRO BOWL caliber QB do they still trade him? I know it's the best time to get the highest value but IF they get back to the NFCCG or even the SB can they move their QB and risk Kolb not being the guy they hope he is?!?

as far as the money for next year I agree Howard is gone, and wouldn't be surprised if they renegotiate with Kearse and keep him at a lower, more in line with his ability salary... I also would almost be willing to bet IF the senario I layed out above comes to fruition then it will be a direct result of them going after a #1 WR again in the offseason, like CJ from Cin or Fitzgerald(although I doubt AZ lets him go, 1st time I've even heard he might make it to FA)

Like Fitzgerald I know Bob Sanders isn't leaving Indy... he is Dawkins(in past seasons) on their D to valuable..

I wouldn't be surprised if (I think it was fd that guessed DB in the draft) they trade Lito and draft his replacement in the draft.

First time around they smeared him with the gimpy knee, for the record. They were trying to sign him and smearing him at the same time.

Stuff like "The Eagles would love to bring their ALL-PRO MLB back into the fold with a long term contract, but the question remains...can they pay top FA dollars given his balky, 40 year old knees. How long will those knees hold up?"

Same thing they did with Stallworth when they publicly leaked his reefer madness while still trying to sign him. The idea was to hopefully get a a better price both times.

They also replayed that first campaign when he was doing he FA tour after the Super Bowl season.

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