Banner's contract extended by Eagles The president will stay until at least 2010. Despite the off year, he said this was still his "dream job."
By Bob Brookover
Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles extended another contract this week, but it wasn't a move meant to excite the fan base.
That's never going to be Joe Banner's role with the Eagles.
The team president has the thankless job of managing the daily operation of owner Jeffrey Lurie's football team and also serves as a lightning rod when things don't go as planned.
Last season, of course, was a perfect example of that.
Despite the long hours and criticism, Banner loves his work and was more than willing to accept a contract extension that will keep him with the Eagles at least through the 2010 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.
"I appreciate the continued confidence Jeff shows in me," Banner said yesterday from his office at the NovaCare Complex. "I love what I do. If I could choose to do any job in the whole world, I have it.
"Some people like life on an even keel. They don't want to deal with the downs and they aren't all that moved by the ups. But I'm pretty intense and passionate and I don't fear the downs. I have enough confidence in the people here to withstand the nature of the job. For me, it really is the perfect job."
Even at the worst of times when the criticism has come his way, Banner said he never has considered leaving the Eagles.
"It upsets my wife, and my kids are at an age now where they hear about it, so that makes it difficult sometimes," Banner said. "I sometimes think it's an unfair burden to them, but it's such a small part of things... . I'm not going to let it drag me down."
At the moment, Banner is executing the Eagles' draft plan along with head coach Andy Reid and general manager Tom Heckert. He spent much of yesterday in meetings with those two, and it's not a reach to believe that the Eagles are trying to figure out if there's a way they can make a trade with Green Bay to acquire wide receiver Javon Walker before next week's NFL draft.
Denver, which flirted with the idea of signing Terrell Owens, is considered the Eagles' most intense competition for Walker, who is coming off major knee surgery. Banner could not talk about any specifics regarding the draft, but he did admit that his juices were flowing yesterday.
"We're just sitting here trying to figure out this puzzle of the draft and free agency," Banner said. "I love the chess game."
Banner, 53, joined Lurie as his top business associate even before the former Hollywood producer purchased the Eagles from Norman Braman in 1994. The two had been boyhood friends in Boston and Banner knew Lurie wanted to buy a professional sports team. He just didn't know how badly he wanted him to be involved in the daily operation.
Lurie initially wanted to buy his hometown New England Patriots, but his bid failed. Banner steered his friend to go after the Eagles, who were put up for sale by a beleaguered Braman.
"I had lived in Philadelphia right after college, and I knew this would be a great place to own a team," Banner said. "I knew it would be a tough place because they care so deeply, but I knew it would be a great place, too."
When Banner accepted Lurie's offer to be part of a professional sports franchise, he left his job at City Year in Boston.
"My last two years before I joined Jeff, I worked four days a week working for City Year and one day a week working at a children's hospital, where I was basically a playmate," Banner said. "I'd play chess and monopoly and just visit with kids."
Banner is now the chairman of the Philadelphia chapter of City Year, which encourages service in the community, nation and world by people of all ages. Banner has also been involved in the Eagles Youth Partnership.
There is one thing Banner would like to give Philadelphia more than anything else.
"I want to keep this franchise strong and play whatever role I can in having that parade that everybody wants, including us," Banner said
might have been thrilled with this the last time... but the gazillion dollars left under the cap and his constant need to get attention is getting old.
Brookover's right: this news excites no one.
did he negotiate his own contract?
i wonder if he tried to lowball himself.
Now he can afford to buy that new calf-developing machine he's been eyeing.
(http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/DIPGNHBHGMOD/banner_357_060421.jpg)
ha
i just want to punch him in the nose. not exciting at all.
Not exciting, but it beats the alternative.
...which is watching me masturbate to pictures of me masturbating...in an Eagles jersey on a Dallas jersey.
Quote from: FFatPatt on April 21, 2006, 11:24:39 AM
(http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/DIPGNHBHGMOD/banner_357_060421.jpg)
"Hahahaha.....suckers."
Quote from: Wingspan on April 21, 2006, 09:44:35 AM
did he negotiate his own contract?
i wonder if he tried to lowball himself.
:-D
Now we know where all the saved cap money is going.
Good.
The thing is, as long as Reid, Heckert and Lurie are on the team the philosophy will stay the same. So even if Joe wasn't extended and they got a new prez, it guarantees nothing.
So keeping him is good.
QuoteKFFL.com reports
Sat, 22 Apr 2006 10:46:09 -0700
Reuben Frank, of PhillyBurbs.com, reports Philadelphia Eagles team president Joe Banner said the team will not change its philosophy of bringing in whatever players the coaches feel will best help win games. Banner crafted the trade that brought former Eagles WR Terrell Owens to Philadelphia. Banner added, "We want to make sure we stay aggressive. We took a chance on the Terrell Owens thing. (But) you don't want to let that slow you down or deter you from being as aggressive the next situation that comes up. Our belief is teams that have significant successes are teams that aren't afraid of making mistakes or taking chances."
(http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/DIPGNHBHGMOD/banner_357_060421.jpg)
"Ha! They actually bought that shtein!"
Link (http://blogs.foxsports.com/adamschein/)
QuoteBanner Season?...
The Philadelphia Eagles smartly gave team president Joe Banner a contract extension through 2010.
In talking to Banner on Friday, he offered up a couple of very interesting nuggets for the Eagles pertaining to the draft. (Now, being fair, who the heck knows if Banner is telling the truth a week before the draft. But look, we asked the questions, he gave the answers on the record, so we write about it).
Banner made it perfectly clear that the "big back" is hardly a priority for the Eagles. I think that is a mistake. The Eagles need an in between the tackles runner to compliment Brian Westbrook.
The team president also said he values the current group of receivers much more than perhaps those on the outside do. I would be very surprised if the Eagles draft a wideout in the first round. It just doesn't make any sense. They already have young and talented players such as Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis. What they need is a veteran.
On that note, Banner did acknowledge the team could make a trade. I asked Banner about the perception that the Eagles simply don't trade picks for players. He stated he absolutely would if the price was right. I specifically asked about Javon Walker and Ashley Lelie. Banner couldn't comment directly on the players, but did say he wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger, and depending on compensation, wouldn't necessarily need these free agents to be to sign a contract before the deal is done.
Banner also stressed how much Andy Reid likes to build his team from the inside out, starting on the offensive and defensive lines. Winston Justice will be the choice if he is on the board, but I don't he will be there for the Eagles at 14.
He said some of the same things when he was on with Howard the other day too. He explained the big back thing in depth and said that they like Westbrook, Moats and Perry. But he did say that adding some size wasn't out of the question in the draft. He denied any interest in Stephen Davis though.
I don't know who Adam Schein is though, but he might be the only guy who thinks Greg Lewis qualifies as talented.
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on April 23, 2006, 02:40:03 AM
I don't know who Adam Schein is though, but he might be the only guy who thinks Greg Lewis qualifies as talented.
He hosts a show on Sirius with Randy Cross called the Afternoon Blitz.
QuoteWinston Justice will be the choice if he is on the board
which means Justice wont be the choice.
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on April 23, 2006, 02:40:03 AM
He said some of the same things when he was on with Howard the other day too. He explained the big back thing in depth and said that they like Westbrook, Moats and Perry.
I like Westbrook, Moats, and... okay I like Westbrook and Moats too, but I'll be seriously pissed if we don't enter the season with someone who can pick up a half-yard when we absolutely need it.
i definitely dont want another small back but the big back theory is overrated imo...the key word here is they need another RUNNING back...westbrook is a great weapon but no one fully respects his running game...
id love to see them have a majority running back in the backfield with westbrook or even have a single set with a running threat and westbrook in the slot...
westbrook by himself creates mismatches because of his athletic ability but a formation like that would create serious problems for the defense as they would have to respect westbrook and the threat of a run..
splitting westbrook out more would also make up a little bit for the awful wr corps (if they dont plan on getting another wideout)
you bring up a pretty good point because, Id actually like to see another back in there so Westbrooks not running fly patterns on one play, then running a pitchout the next. He'll wear down bigtime as the game flows. The best running teams have a 2 headed monster, and one that is lethal in the slot is even better
We might be asking too much though
is banner the big back we've been looking for?
Why are we talking about RB in this thread?
Then again, why does this thread even still exist?