When Philadelphia Eagles team president Joe Banner moved on from his role a few weeks ago, everyone involved said it was a mutual decision. The truth is always a little more complicated.
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Banner, general Howie Roseman and coach Andy Reid had different ways of conducting business. Roseman and Reid's ways won out.
A great example might have been DeSean Jackson's recent contract. Despite a down 2011 season and some concerns about Jackson's focus, the Eagles gave the receiver a big contract this offseason.
In a recent column, Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe wondered whether Jackson got his five-year, $47 million in large part because Banner "had his contract power usurped." Bedard guessed that "Banner would have never done that deal."
Banner came from the business side, but eventually had plenty of say over football matters. When that say was taken away, Banner moved on. Jackson's rap label "Jaccpot Records" might have been one of the beneficiaries.
UPDATE:Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday that Banner "did not tell the Boston Globe that he wouldn't have done" Jackson's deal. McLane reported that Banner would have been in favor of the contract, though he did have some reservations about the price that Jackson had asked for previously.
