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Jeffrey Lurie and Joe Banner May Be Engaging in a Pissing Contest for the Ages
By Kyle Scott
Published:
Does this hat make me look like a penis?
You remember that scene in Austin Powers 2 where Scott Evil got jealous when Dr. Evil started treating Mini Me like a son, something Dr. Evil never did with Scott?
Yeah, that. That’s kind of how I imagine Joe Banner feels about the relationship between Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman.
Earlier this week, a story by Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports painted Roseman as an incompetent roadblock to the Eagles hiring a new coach. It was obviously wrong, since Roseman has been credited with sealing the deal with Chip Kelly (a modern day Scott Proefrock, Roseman is). In the story, La Canfora cited unnamed sources who said that coaching candidates hated Roseman. One of the sources was thought to be Banner, who is now with the Browns.
Lurie was among those who thought Banner was the source.
Speaking to CSN’s Reuben Frank, Lurie put forth the following:
“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 said.
“And, you know, if there are league sources that are really based in Cleveland, that’s not right. We see through it all.”
Banner caught wind of those comments and, well, he wasn’t happy about them:
“It is always difficult to comment on a quote that may or may not be accurate or in context. In this case, from the comments which 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 La Canfora’s story is completely false, outrageous and borders on being libelous.
“I had absolutely no conversation with Jason La Canfora. 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 since the day I left the Eagles.”
This probably won’t be the last we hear about this feud. After all, Roseman did kill Banner the first chance he got.
Kyle Scott is the founder and editor of CrossingBroad.com. He has written for CBS Philly and Philly Voice, and been a panelist or contributor on NBC Sports Philly, FOX 29 and SNY TV, as well as a recurring guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, 94 WIP, 106.7 The Fan and other stations. He has more than 10 years experience running digital media properties and in online advertising and marketing.