WDEL: Banner: Reid and McNabb will be back.

[tr1]

By Len Holmquist
http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=S660379575993

In Less than 24-hours after the Eagles season ended with a 32-25 loss to Arizona in the NFC title game, Joe Banner, team president, said Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb will return next season.

Reid will be entering his 11th year as head coach; McNabb, who has taken the Birds to five NFC title games and one Super Bowl, was Reid first-ever draft pick back in 1999.

Banner, however, speaking to Eagles.com after the loss to the Cardinals said this off season would be the toughest since he's been with the team.

The Eagles have seven potential unrestricted free agents including both tackles, Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas.

[tr1]

Why on earth would anyone really think the Eagles would dump Andy? He took them to the second round of the playoffs and almost pulled off a comeback that would have been remembered for a long time.

You can't fire a coach for being successful. And in the NFL, making it into the playoffs is successful. After all, only one team can win the SB.

[DaveMason]

I agree. Eagles fans are the whinest bunch in the world.

Yeah, it sucks that you haven't won a championship, but like tr1 said, it can only happen for one team each year.

And a coach can't control everything. All you can reasonably ask for from a coach is a chance to win the superbowl. Even though they haven't actually won the big one, Reid and McNabb at least give you a legitimate chance to win. 5 NFC Championshp games is crazy-good, I don't care how many you lose. Give them enough chances, and eventually they will win one(like Peyton and Dungy).

I'd kill for a QB/coach tandem like that. Does anybody really think Zorn/Campbell could pull something like that off? Seriously? Come on.

But hey, don't get me wrong. I'd love to see Reid get fired. Good luck with Gruden...

[pointyfootball]

I agree. Eagles fans are the whinest bunch in the world.

Yeah, it sucks that you haven't won a championship, but like tr1 said, it can only happen for one team each year.

And a coach can't control everything. All you can reasonably ask for from a coach is a chance to win the superbowl. Even though they haven't actually won the big one, Reid and McNabb at least give you a legitimate chance to win. 5 NFC Championshp games is crazy-good, I don't care how many you lose. Give them enough chances, and eventually they will win one(like Peyton and Dungy).

I'd kill for a QB/coach tandem like that. Does anybody really think Zorn/Campbell could pull something like that off? Seriously? Come on.

But hey, don't get me wrong. I'd love to see Reid get fired. Good luck with Gruden...

I understand why my fellow fans get frustrated. This, second only to the Tampa Bay NFCCG, was the year we could/should/would have won the SB. I think Pitt is majorly ripe for the picking by the Cards. Fans see it as never going to get better. My opinion is that it might not get better but it sure as hell can get a lot worse, and I'll take NFCCG losses to enduring what we did in 2005 and 2007.

We as Philly fans were spoiled and we forgot how LUCKY we were to be in the playoffs. Winning 3 games on the road from the 6th seed is almost impossible, despite the recent success of Pitt and Indy. The loss sucked, but damn, when Desean made that fumbling catch for a TD...that made it worth my while, IMO. [Side note: tr1 I give you major props for saying he was going to be good/great last spring. I had my doubts but he's a stud.]

PF

[DWinzit]

McNabb may never have the opportunity to play in a city where he is respected or in a run first offense. I would have liked to have seen what he could have done with scenario.......I think he would have flourished in Chicago or Minny last year.

[tone_dubbz]

I hope McNabb leaves. I bet that offense would fall apart without him. If they would have gotten McNugget a big time receiver and dump Buckhalter to get a real running game going that offense would have been beast.

But I hope he leaves, and that team just goes to the crapper.

[SkinsGuy]

Why on earth would anyone really think the Eagles would dump Andy? He took them to the second round of the playoffs and almost pulled off a comeback that would have been remembered for a long time.

You can't fire a coach for being successful. And in the NFL, making it into the playoffs is successful. After all, only one team can win the SB.

What you say is true, but Reid is turning into, or has turned into, another Marty Schottenheimer.

Someone who can get you to the door, but can't get you in (well, they got in once, but were pushed back out fairly quickly :) ).

I guess it depends on how long the Eagles F.O. is content on being also-rans or runners-up.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

This is easily the correct decision for many reasons.

Reid has had success in this division for 10-11 years. He had success when the division was weak and he's still having success when the division is considered strong. Leave him alone. As for McNabb, he's a very, very good QB. It may be that he's not a Super Bowl champion QB, but how many QBs are? Plus, even if the short-term (next 1-2 years) plan is to transition the team to Kolb, look how much it helped players like Rodgers (GB), Brees (SD), and Romo (Dal) to watch for a year or two prior to taking over as the starter.

I'd keep things the same in Philly since, with the exception of 2 years in the last 10, they've been a shoe-in for the post-season. As we've seen, once you get in any result is possible.

I fully expect this team to be an annoying thorn in the Redskins' side for years to come under Reid.

Edited to correct some HORRIBLE grammar.

[CPortJGibbs89]

I hope McNabb leaves. I bet that offense would fall apart without him. If they would have gotten McNugget a big time receiver and dump Buckhalter to get a real running game going that offense would have been beast.

But I hope he leaves, and that team just goes to the crapper.Watching the game Sunday and I am just thinking if they had a legit #1 top reciever in the league they would be incredible, add a everydown running back and they would be unstoppable. If I was a philly fan I would be begging the team to trade for a big time reciever. The one time McNabb had one of the best recievers in the game they went to the super bowl. I see no problem with either of them coming back.

[BigMike619]

well thats good news for us then!!

one dimensional and full of excuses!!

[pointyfootball]

Watching the game Sunday and I am just thinking if they had a legit #1 top reciever in the league they would be incredible, add a everydown running back and they would be unstoppable. If I was a philly fan I would be begging the team to trade for a big time reciever. The one time McNabb had one of the best recievers in the game they went to the super bowl. I see no problem with either of them coming back.

WB's an everydown back, he just has trouble staying healthy. Are you saying add another one to take some of his work? I personally think on O they need a real FB, a playmaking TE (someone who can play like Celek did on a consistent basis) and another running back who Reid will USE (good luck).

Additionally, they're going to have to figure out if Andrews is really going to return to the force he was/canbe and figure out if Runyan/Thomas are the answer for next year.

[sideshow24]

Why on earth would anyone really think the Eagles would dump Andy? He took them to the second round of the playoffs and almost pulled off a comeback that would have been remembered for a long time.

You can't fire a coach for being successful. And in the NFL, making it into the playoffs is successful. After all, only one team can win the SB.

See: Mike Shanahan
Games over .500: 48
Super Bowl Wins: 2
Overall Championships: 2
Conference Championships: 2
Division Championships: 4

[RenegadeTK]

masochists.... i dont know why they put themselves through it

[CM916]

Philly fans vow to riot all offseason until McNaab is traded and Reid is fired or until the city is burned to the ground.

[Westbrook36]

I love Andy Reid and McNabb. As much as I get mad at them, they are really our only hope with the current collection of talent to win it all.

[The-Rock]

If Andy Reid ever got (and kept) a top 5 WR for McNugget to throw to, and ever got a power runner and stopped throwing the ball 56 times per game he would have won the superbowl by now.

[CPortJGibbs89]

WB's an everydown back, he just has trouble staying healthy. Are you saying add another one to take some of his work? I personally think on O they need a real FB, a playmaking TE (someone who can play like Celek did on a consistent basis) and another running back who Reid will USE (good luck).

Additionally, they're going to have to figure out if Andrews is really going to return to the force he was/canbe and figure out if Runyan/Thomas are the answer for next year.I think if they employed a more two back system with a guy that can pound the rock every down and bring in westbrook as a change of pace and screen guy. I just dont believe he is a 20-25 carry a game guy against top defenses in the leauge. I think he is good with 10-15 carries as a change of pace and at least 10 passes a game the guy is an incredible reciever did you see that rocket he caught from McNugget.

I honestly thought they should have used Buckhalter more of a runner that game. He seemed to break off longer runs when there was a hole. He just looked like the better runner that game but no doubt Westbrook is one of the most dangerous in the league out of the backfield.

I just think they need a legit #1 reciever and they would be amazing. I just dont understand why they continue to throw #2 recievers on the field with McNugget. Give the guy a stud # 1 along with Jackson on the other side it would be amazing. I hope the eagles FO doesnt figure it out.