Kyle Eckel

Infobox NFLactive
name=Kyle Eckel


width=250
caption=Eckel runs for a touchdown in Navy's homecoming game against Delaware
currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=--
currentpositionplain=Fullback
birthdate=birth date and age|1981|12|30
birthplace=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=237
debutyear=2007
debutteam=New England Patriots
college=Navy
undraftedyear=2005
pastteams=
* New England Patriots (2005)*
* Miami Dolphins (2005-2007)*
* New England Patriots (2007-2008):*Inactive and/or practice squad member only
status=
nfl=ECK309504

Kyle Eckel (born December 30, 1981 in city-state|Philadelphia|Pennsylvania) is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Navy.

Eckel has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins.

Early years

Eckel attended Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was a student and a letterman in football and baseball. In football, he was a two-time first team All-Area and All-League selection and as a senior, also garnered first team All-City honors.

College career

Eckel attended the Naval Academy and, going into his senior year, was ranked as a preseason All-American and the top NFL fullback prospect in the country by draftboardinsider.com. He rushed for 1,147 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior, notably rushing 26 times for a career-high 179 yards and one touchdown against Army en route to being named the Philadelphia Sportswriters Most Valuable Player of the Army-Navy game for the second consecutive year. Eckel collected 13-career 100-yard rushing games, the fourth most in school history, and became just the third player in school history to twice gain 1,000 yards rushing in a single season. He finished his career with 2,906 rushing yards, which ranks fourth all-time at Navy, and registered 25 career rushing touchdowns, the fourth most in school history. He majored in Economics.

Professional career

First stint with Patriots

Eckel was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2005. He was waived by the team on September 3.

Miami Dolphins

Eckel was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins and subsequently placed on the Reserve/Military list on September 7, 2005 - just days after being claimed by the Miami Dolphins. He continued to serve the Navy until October 31, 2006. A spokesman for the Navy described the separation as an involuntary "administrative separation"cite web|url=http://www.navytimes.com/legacy/new/0-NAVYPAPER-2346524.php|title=Navy gives ex-football star the boot|author=Philip Creed|publisher=Navy Times|accessdate = 2007-03-05|date=2006-11-27] from the service, and Eckel told the "Miami Herald" that he "was given the opportunity to submit a letter of resignation, which was accepted." [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/dolphins/2006-11-22-eckel_x.htm|title=Dolphins look at ex-Navy star|accessdate = 2007-03-05|date=2006-11-22|publisher=USA Today|author=Gary Mihoces] [cite web|url=http://www.belleville.com/mld/miamiherald/email/sports/16044329.htm|title=Saban using bag of tricks|author=Armando Salguero|accessdate = 2007-03-05|publisher=Miami Herald|date=2006-11-18]

The Dolphins received a roster exemption from the league for Eckel in 2006 (so he could practice with the team, so long as he was not added to the active roster). He was not activated during the season, and was an exclusive rights free agent in the 2007 offseason. He was re-signed to a one-year contract on March 19, 2007, but released on September 1 during final cuts.

econd stint with Patriots

Eckel was signed to the Patriots' practice squad on September 3, 2007, [ [http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2007/09/2_to_practice_s.html 2 to practice squad] Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Accessed 2007-09-03.] at a salary of $125,000, significantly higher than that season's base salary for practice squad players ($79,900). [ [http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/09/19/nfl_hunting_on_fox_leak/ NFL hunting on Fox leak] Boston.com Reiss' Pieces. Accessed 2008-07-26.] He was promoted to the active roster on October 1 when starting running back Laurence Maroney was ruled out for that night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Eckel made his regular season debut in that Monday Night Football contest, playing on special teams for much of the game and getting his first carry (for three yards) in the fourth quarter. He scored his first NFL touchdown in the final minute of the Patriots' Week 6 game against the Dallas Cowboys, and a second in their Week 10 rout of the Buffalo Bills.

The Patriots released Eckel on August 26, 2008, in the first round of preseason cuts. He was re-signed to the Patriots roster on September 15, 2008, the day after their Week 2 game. The Patriots again released Eckel on September 22, 2008.

Legal issues

In late 2006 in Anne Arundel County District Court, Eckel was charged with two counts of assault-and-battery and one charge of sexual assault. The charges were dropped by November 2006. According to Navy spokesmen, the charges had no bearing on Eckel's dismissal from service.

References

External links

* [http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=30951 New England Patriots bio]