Where’s Kyle Eckel ?
After weeks and weeks of watching the pathetic running game of the Philadelphia Eagles, I would like to pose one question. Where’s Kyle Eckel ? The former All American Fullback out of the Naval Academy and graduate of Philadelphia’a Episcopal Academy, Eckel has yet to run the ball. Coach Andy Reid continues to use Dan Klecko as the fullback. Klecko, was a defensive lineman in college. It doesn’t matter anyway to Andy, who continues to throw the ball on short yardage situations as a result of watching his backs fail to pick up the necessary yardage. Can Eckel get those yards? I think so. While at the Naval Academy, he was called upon what seemed like hundreds of times by head coach Paul Johnson, now at Georgia Tech, to gain those tough yards. As an avid fan of Navy sports teams I’ve watched Johnson gamble many times on fourth and short yard situations regardless of field position. The results were mostly positive when Eckel ran the ball. When Eckel was first acquired in October after being released from New England, Reid said that Eckel needed time to learn the plays. Although I highly disagree with that reasoning since Eckel is a graduate of the Naval Academy, I’ll give Andy the benefit of the doubt. Eckel should be in there now. He can get the tough yards. Those familiar with Academy athletics, Army, Navy and Air Force, know that there are size limitations for the athletes that compete at those institutions. When Eckel ran for the Midshipmen the offensive line of Navy was much smaller and lighter than that of the opposition. Yet Navy consistantly pounded the ball right in the face of their opponents behind the strong running of Eckel, who gained 1,147 yards as a senior while scoring 11 Touchdowns. I can’t imagine what the native of Haverford, Pa would do patrolling behind a legitimate NFL offensive line. Can you say, “First and Ten”.
THE “Bank” Takes The Loud Out Of The Crowd
The World Series is finally over and congratulations to the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies. I attended several post season games and the fans were really into the games.
Yes, it was loud inside Citizen’s Bank Park, but not as loud as when the team played across the driveway at Veteran’s Stadium. That, my friends was loud, real loud. You could not hear yourself think, yet alone talk to the person next to you. It was very intimidating for the opposition.
The stadium appeared to shake. What causes such a thing like this to happen? How about total enclosure of the stadium. The circular cookie cutter stadium with no place for the noise to exit. No open air spaces as is the case with the Bank’s center field area.
The same thing holds true for Lincoln Financial Field. When the Eagles played at the Vet, the visiting teams wanted no part of it. In addition to the shape of the stadium, the so-called dreaded Astroturf was a huge factor and was always in the minds of the opposition. It was a big psychological
advantage for the Eagles. If the Birds want a real home field advantage, they better find a way to completely close up the two end zone portions of the stadium.
CHASE UTLEY’S COMMENT
Yes, I realize that Chase Utley was probably feeling no pain when he stepped up to the podium after the parade and used the infamous “F” word. I’ll even give him the benefit that he was caught up in the moment and couldn’t control himself, whether he had alcohol in his system or not. Plus it was obviously in reference to what had transpired at the 2008 All Star Game in New York.
The thing that bothers me is that there was no apology by Utley or even a statement by the Phillies organization. Maybe the Phillies haven’t noticed, but there are more Chase Utley jerseys worn by young kids than any other player on the Phillies. Chase is an infielder. Most Little Leaguers or the ones that are talented usually play the infield and as a result want to wear the shirt of their professional teams star infielder.
Once again shame on Chase and the Phillies for no apologys. I guess it’s OK to throw around “F” bombs when an enterprise is run by a group University of Pennsylvania graduates that could care less about “Real Little People.”
