Abandoning quarterback Donovan McNabb, the most significant player in franchise history, in favor of Kevin Kolb, whose name most Philadelphians still mispronounce, seemed like madness. With so many unknowns, from the offensive line to the rehabilitated defense, willfully choosing to trade the most constant entity on the team made little sense.
That won't matter.
Lurie and Banner hired Reid on a hunch, and that played out into five NFC Championship Game appearances, a new stadium and legitimacy in the New Age NFL of corporate image-making.
Reid and his brain trust at the time drafted McNabb and built a team around him, and that played out into the greatest era in Eagles history.
Those two decisions hardly could have been less popular when they were made.
Giving Kolb the keys isn't exactly unpopular as much as it is unwise. Regardless, considering the recent success - not dizzying, but remarkable - of RBL, it can fail for a season or two before any real repercussions are felt.
Besides, it isn't all about McNabb and Kolb.
McNabb, who knows Reid's offense as well as anyone, spent the past few seasons grooming a new corps of weapons. Every offensive starter recently has been replaced. Every one of them had at least one season with McNabb, and Kolb spent three seasons as McNabb's understudy.
McNabb leaves center Jamaal Jackson to run the line, wideout Jason Avant to run the receivers, and tight end Brent Celek, perhaps the best weapon on offense.
If McNabb was going to leave, this probably was the best time for it.
So, no, Reid, Banner and Lurie won't be castigated after one sluggish season.
Now, eight wins in 2012 might be their demise. And that's not out of the question, considering the amount they're gambling on rookies this season.
2. How can you count
on 11 rookies?
. . . especially when two will start in key defensive positions?
Remember: These are burning questions, not concrete answers. So . . .
