Eagles fire senior VP of communications

The Eagles fired their senior vice president of communications, Rob Zeiger, on Tuesday, a source close to the situation said.

Zeiger oversaw the team's public affairs department and was part of the Eagles' executive administration. He was the liaison between owner Jeffrey Lurie, other members of the Eagles front office and the media.

Zeiger's name was already removed from the Eagles' online employee directory as of Tuesday evening.

Messages left with the team and Zeiger were not immediately returned.

Zeiger was hired in May, 2011. The Eagles have had trouble finding someone to occupy that role for longer than just a short period. Zeiger was preceded by three communications directors in about ten years time.

His dismissal comes at a tempestuous time for the Eagles. Many have been calling for the firing of long-time coach Andy Reid with his team a disappointing 3-7. Lurie has not spoken publicly about Reid's future, although he said before the season that his team needed to show "substantial improvement" upon last season's 8-8 record for Reid to return next season.

Zeiger was director of communications for Amway before he came to the Eagles. He was often be seen by the side of Lurie, his ex-wife and co-owner, Christina Weiss Lurie, and team president Don Smolenski at public functions.

When the Eagles increased the sound level of the speakers at Lincoln Financial Field for the last home game and some fans complained, it was Zeiger that spoke for the team, for instance, going on WIP (610-AM) to answer questions.