Eckel signs with Eagles
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Eckel signs with Eagles
Daily News staff
The Eagles apparently do need a real fullback after all.
Epsicopal Academy product Kyle Eckel is coming home. The Birds signed Eckel this afternoon and released safety J.R. Reed.
How long will it take for Eckel, who has no background in the West Coast offense, to get ready?
“Hopefully, quick,” Eckel said, when asked to estimate a time frame for learning what he needs to know to be effective. “I’m going to work hard ... I’ll be 100 percent dedicated to learning it.”
The Eagles released Tony Hunt last week and had previously moved Dan Klecko back to fullback. Now the possibility exists that Klecko could return to defense once Eckel has learned enough to get in the lineup.
Eckel, also a graduate of the Naval Academy, spent the 2007 season with the New England Patriots. After being promoted from their practice squad on Oct. 1, he played in 12 regular-season games and two postseason games. He gained 90 yards and 2 touchdowns on 33 carries and notched 12 special teams tackles.
Eckel (5-11, 237) was originally signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent in 2005, but was released following training camp that year. He was claimed off waivers by Miami, but spent the parts of two seasons on the reserve/military list with the Dolphins.
While at the Naval Academy, Eckel became the third player in school history to post two 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his career as he finished with 2,906 yards and 25 touchdowns.
The Eagles released fullback Jed Collins from the practice squad and signed guard Nevin McCaskill.
McCaskill was originally signed as an undrafted free agent from Hampton by Buffalo in 2007 and spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.
Its karma baby. Did anyone else see the video of the moron wearing Rays gear in the locker room,— JFranklin- You know why the cut reed? Because he was wearing a Tampa Bays Jersey yesterday..haha..Honestly who really cares about the Eagles right now. Last place team in the best division in football, its going to be a long season. LETS GO PHILLIES!!!!— captain24
- Hey, we did not get Gonzalez, but at least we got Eckel. GO PHILS!!— JoeC
- makes complete sense to sign a fb on the tuesday AFTER the bye week. no need to get him in here early and learn the playbook. dopes.— timm2
- E-C-K-E-L-S ECKELS!— guyguy4
Comment removed.- heckert,banner,reid =dopes!— whatthe?
- I agree timm. Are they even trying? Or do they just think that a new fullback really only needs about 3 practices to be ready?— RichNC
- Comment removed.
- I heard Howard Eskin really likes this pick-up.— BigDawg13
- eckels is that larger back at 237 that most eagles fans wanted— Dave76
- i'm glad to see the gold standard is really "going for it" this will set the nfc on its ear this franchise is pathetic— nittany4
- Comment removed.
- I guess it is a wait and see on the new guy. J R Reed was ok and I think Andy is still doing a good job. I am glad Westbrook and Curtis are back. GO PHILLIES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— 1200harley
- KARMA JR...BIOTCH! Watch out for those fences!!— rothstein12
