Banner's contract extended unitl 2010

[bobbyinlondon]

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

[MURP]

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.

[Diomedes]

Brookover's right:  this news excites no one.

[Wingspan]

did he negotiate his own contract?

i wonder if he tried to lowball himself.

[Zanshin]

Now he can afford to buy that new calf-developing machine he's been eyeing.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

[ice grillin you]

ha

[mussa]

i just want to punch him in the nose.  not exciting at all.

[General_Failure]

Not exciting, but it beats the alternative.

[hbionic]

...which is watching me masturbate to pictures of me masturbating...in an Eagles jersey on a Dallas jersey.

[reese125]

"Hahahaha.....suckers."

[MURP]

did he negotiate his own contract?

i wonder if he tried to lowball himself.

[Geowhizzer]

Now we know where all the saved cap money is going.

[PhillyPhreak54]

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.

[Feva]

KFFL.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."

"Ha!  They actually bought that shtein!"