Banner backlash boils over
This one has been simmering for a while. Credit Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com for getting Jeffrey Lurie to yank the lid off the pot.
Banner backlash boils over
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
This one has been simmering for a while. Credit Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com for getting Jeffrey Lurie to yank the lid off the pot.
Frank asked Eagles chairman Lurie about the perception that his childhood buddy, former Eagles president Joe Banner, has been the source of a lot of the negative press Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is getting. Roseman, once Banner's protege, usurped Banner last year, with Joe landing in Cleveland, where he has the organizational control he sought.
Lurie didn't outright accuse Banner of being the main "league source" arrayed against Roseman, but he definitely issued a warning.
"I'm very supportive of Howie, and if there's any criticism coming from afar about Howie, it's just off-base, and so I will support Howie completely, because that's not right," Lurie told Frank.
"And you know, if there are league sources that are really based in Cleveland, that's not right. We see through it all."
The final straw might have been a venomous Jan. 14 piece appearing on CBSSports.com, from reporter Jason LaCanfora, in which the Eagles' coaching search was described as "meandering and bizarre," and Roseman was said to be "drunk with power" and "woefully out of his depth."
Before that, in another media forum, there was the midseason "league-sourced" revelation that the Eagles had extended Roseman's contract back when Banner left -- leaked at a time when the Birds' personnel flaws were bringing scrutiny on Roseman -- and a "league sourced" report that somehow Roseman was responsible for the disastrous hiring of now-fired defensive line coach Jim Washburn. We don't know whether Banner had a role in either of those stories, but the Eagles' brass certainly believed he did.
Banner's response Friday, released through Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis, was as follows:
"It's always difficult to comment on a quote that may or may not be accurate or in context," Banner said. "In this case, from the comments Jeffrey made that were communicated to me, it is necessary for me to make this clear, unambiguous statement. Any implication that I had anything to do with Jason LaCanfora's story is completely false, outrageous and borders on being libelous.
"I had absolutely no conversation with Jason LaCanfora. Having demonstrated my character over the last 44 years to Jeffrey and the last 14 to Howie, it is beyond disappointing that they would suggest such a thing. As tempting as it is to go further, other than defending myself, I will continue to take the high road on all such matters as I have done since the day I left the Eagles."
Later Friday, Banner was asked about the situation at a news conference announcing Mike Lombardi as the Browns' new personnel guy. Banner declined comment.
While Lurie went a little overboard Thursday -- almost to "gold standard" level -- in describing how much the Eagles and Roseman are respected by what he called "iconic figures" in the league, he was right about criticism of the Eagles' search. Their journey to a new coach was neither longer nor less focused than anyone else's. Five of the eight NFL openings didn't get filled until this week, and the Birds ended up with the guy everybody in the league insisted was their top candidate going into the process. Every interview they undertook made sense.
There are some people in the media, even right here in Philadelphia, who might owe Roseman an apology.
Which is not to say the GM has proven he is great at his job, or is one of the best young minds in the league, or worthy of any of the superlatives Lurie likes to bestow. But it's a fact that the media biz today seems to be more and more about "look at me and my report!" rather than sifting through agendas, trying to figure out what's true and passing that on to readers/viewers.
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On a more pleasant note, maybe you heard Chip Kelly talk Thursday about the time Nick Foles, playing for Arizona, completed a pass lefthanded while Kelly's Oregon Ducks were trying to sack him. Here's the video.
This Jason LaConfora guy doesn't seem the most credible in the world right now. Howie obviously didn't cost the Eagles their first choice and if plan b was Gus they probably could have had him over Jax anyway.— TongueWagger- It was Banner's idea to let Juan Castillo coach the defense?— ricciaje
- did banner cut solid veterans like winston justice, AQ shipley and mike mcglynn, leading to the disastrous demtress bell signing when there were injuries on the line, leaving no depth at the position, although jeff lurie was 20mm under the cap?
— hannibal barca - Ok first with cap space thing currently the Eagles are over the cap by 18,120,825 before releasing any players,Now if your little mind can comprehend any business acumen than you would know about planing for the future. And the Eagles as a business have to plan to stay competitive for least two reasons 1)to keep selling tic's and merchandise 2) because football is entertainment that is all. And weather or not they win a SB will effect your life about as much as who wins American Idol, Hells Kitchen, or even the Voice. So if you need a sports team to give you a good feeling about your self than you are a truly sad and pathetic person.
— eagle fan for life - So you're one of the "Shut up, Pay Lurie Money, and Support the Eagles" kind of people? — fmMD
- It was Washburn calling all defensive line play and Bowles running the secondary. Juan was just a title. Didn't have any real control of defense. He was made to play Washburns style. But he took all the blame.— jfarm
- JB stays with his repugnant personality and his inability to be a decent man and get along with others.....But who cares....Soon enough the cleveland press and the Dogpound will see thru his smoke and he'll be hated there.....Hahahahahahahahah......Go for it Joe....You are a loser....HR might be all that and we shall soon see.....but you failed here, so jsut shut up and go away...— nuggett
- I don't see what the big deal is? Roseman is in over his head and probably Lurie also. Hiring Kelly was to all intents an ego trip run amuck. Kelly will be a bust with the Eagles and will be back in college ball within two years. The pursuit of Kelly reminds me of the man at the auction who ends up buying something at three times it's value because ego says he must have it at all costs. C'est la guerre!— obergruber
- Stay in Cleveland Joe.. We hate you here in Philly... Arrogant little Hobbit!!— elfman
- The Philly writers write the same things this Jason guy is writing. Who needs a source when you're just giving your opinion and trying to stir the pot?— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Wow Les you are giving credit to Roob? This is not a story, it's Jeff being a little baby. I remember listening to WIP Sunday and they were saying CSN's Reuben Frank is reporting Gus Bradley will be in town and be the next coach of the Eagles. Monday he reported Gus will sign the contract to be head coach of the Eagles on Wed. Roob hasn't broken a story ever !!!!!!!— AJL99
- Yeeeeeeeeeah....right— greenblood4200
I have formed my own thoughts about this, but I'm still not sure... Maybe CharlieGarner25 can let us know what his infallible opinion is on this subject. Because his opinion is obviously the only one that counts. All kidding aside, the odds are pretty good that CharlieGarner25 is an unemployed tard that splits all his time on philly.com and being on hold on 610 and 97.5.— DixonBunz- lol.
love it.
new front office rivalry zzzzzz.
eagles vs browns.
banner = sore loser.
eagles got kelly. browns fail.
waaa!
— bloodymess - Banner is a very twisted and selfish person. Years ago we had a suite at the Linc and despite paying over $100K per year, individual seat holders were put in the lotter for SB tickets. When I called Banners office and complain, I was told 'he' said if we renew our suite for 5 more years he'll see what he can do. There you go. That's Joe Banner— alwaysphil1
