NFL Rumors : With Joe Banner In, Is Mike Holmgren Out?
Rant Media Network Featured Columnist/NBA Network Manager , Follow me on Twitter, @RobertCobb_76
BEREA — With the sale of the Cleveland Browns to Tennessee businessman, Jimmy Haslam III official, it appears that current Browns president Mike Holmgren’s time in Cleveland may be over.
Former Philadelphia Eagles president, Joe Banner is rumored to be part of Haslam’s new management team and replace Holmgren as team president.
Banner, who would be Eagles president from 1995 to 2012, was an integral part of the Eagles run to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl.
More of a money-cap manager, Banner was the reason behind the surprise release of popular defensive back, Brian Dawkins, which would alienate Philadelphia’s vocal and rabid fan base.
Banner also reportedly in the middle of a power struggle with Eagles head coach and executive vice president of football operations, Andy Reid, which would lead to Banner’s abrupt departure from the team, his real role in the Eagles front office is much disputed.
Eagles Central writer for Rant Sports, Bryn Swartz would state in regards to Banner, “Joe Banner is an extremely intelligent man who is concerned with the business aspect of football but not the personal side.
You look at the Eagles’ habit of letting veteran stars walk through free agency (Brian Dawkins is the biggest example) and I believe that is Banner’s doing.
I liked his intelligence but I wasn’t a fan of him as a person. From a football standpoint though, he’ll do well in Cleveland. I’m sure he’ll have them as a contender in a few years. He’s reunited with Tom Heckert as well, and that’ll definitely help.”
Under Holmgren, the Browns have gone 9-23 and thanks to three solid drafts which would include Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden, Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Phil Taylor, Greg Little, Travis Benjamin and Mitchell Schwartz, appear to be turning the corner.
If Haslam III decides to go in a different direction under Banner, all signs point to a Eagles front-office re-union in Cleveland.
Banner worked alongside current Browns general manager—and former vice president of player of personnel, Tom Heckert from 2001-09.
Current Browns head coach, Pat Shurmur coached quarterbacks and tight ends coach under Banner from 1999 until 2009.
Whichever way, if Cleveland hopes to become a true contender again, there must be continuity in the front-office first, before one sees stability and results on the field.
Robert D. Cobb is the NBA Network Manager for Rant Media Network, Featured Writer of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Featured Columnist for the Cleveland Browns and Arsenal Gunners.
In addition to covering the NBA, I also cover MLB, NFL, NHL and Champions League soccer news, rumors and opinions, please follow me on Twitter at @RobertCobb_76
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