Article on Eckel from the Globe

[PatsRI]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/11/18/troubled_waters/?page=1

Talks about his "troubles" in the Navy. Has one guy talking about his dismissal but the article has Kyle saying 'Scherrer's characterizations of him as "completely false."'

I always wondered why didn't hear about him being station in Newport or anywhere else.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Great article. I have no lingering concerns about Eckle after reading that. First Lt. Scherrer sounds like the kind of prick you'd just love to serve under... Just like Saban who nearly single handedly scuttled the guys long shot at an NFL career.

That Steve said this kid was the real deal is good enough for me. That his teamates at Navy have his back as they continue to serve also speaks volumes. Lots of young guys find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time more than twice. If that and a speeding ticket are the worst transgressions he ever commits, God bless him.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

On 'Patriots All Access' BB was analyzing kick coverage using the infamous Bellistrator. He showed Eckle making the tackle single handedly on one play and then commented that "Eckle was in on the tackle on EVERY coverage play." Every. It's apparent that Eck is gonna stay on the 53 unless Maroney goes down and probably not even then. BB's said he likes the backs he has.

BTW upon reflection ST coverage and Welker's returns played a huge part in field position and winning the game against the Colts.

 

[Gwedd]

Great article. I have no lingering concerns about Eckle after reading that. First Lt. Scherrer sounds like the kind of prick you'd just love to serve under... Just like Saban who nearly single handedly scuttled the guys long shot at an NFL career.

That Steve said this kid was the real deal is good enough for me. That his teamates at Navy have his back as they continue to serve also speaks volumes. Lots of young guys find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time more than twice. If that and a speeding ticket are the worst transgressions he ever commits, God bless him.

Freind,

That's not entirely true. For more on the situation at Annapolis, see here:

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2006/11/usna-serious-institution.html

Read the Navy Times article linked from that post, as well as the comments below it. Those comments are from many current and past Navy men.

As a Patriots fan, I can certainly appreciate Kyle's great play. As a Navy veteran, however, I cannot fathom his behaviour during a time when our nation is at war. He was a serving Navy officer, and in short, placed himself above the needs of his nation and service.

There is much more to this story than the Globe's article suggests.

Respects,

 

[aabtec]

I have the feeling that there is alot more to this story.

His discharge from the Navy may include a cause that he must remain silent.

My question is though, why would he choose the Naval Academy. He must have known going in what it is like.

 

[BrianPat]

Freind,

That's not entirely true. For more on the situation at Annapolis, see here:

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2006/11/usna-serious-institution.html

Read the Navy Times article linked from that post, as well as the comments below it. Those comments are from many current and past Navy men.

As a Patriots fan, I can certainly appreciate Kyle's great play. As a Navy veteran, however, I cannot fathom his behaviour during a time when our nation is at war. He was a serving Navy officer, and in short, placed himself above the needs of his nation and service.

There is much more to this story than the Globe's article suggests.

Respects,

First off, I have great respect for the people who have served and are currently serving. I have 1 nephew in the Rangers and one the ROTC at Auburn.

Having said that, I didn't see anything new in that blog. The Globe story has more information concerning the assault charge against Eckel, the blog failed completely, only saying the charges were dropped. Of course I have no idea what really happened with this guy, but I refuse to pass judgement based on a blog or the lack of information. That would be like excepting Greg Easterbrook's stories as pure fact.

No disrespect, but unless you can provide something not contained in either the blog or the Globe story, you can't claim it's not entirely true, especially when his follow players who have and are currently serving in combat situations still support him. Who's to say the writers of that blog don't have something personal against him ?

Thanks to all to have served and are currently serving, your efforts allow me to have my say !

 

[cstjohn17]

The guy seems like a grade A prick, an entitled little brat. But the NFL is not about any of that (see Lawrence Taylor, 90s Cowboys, etc.)

I am glad I only have to watch him on tv and don't have to live beside or associate with such a creep.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Could Eckel be the ST captain of the future when Izzo hangs them up?

 

[DaBruinz]

Freind,

That's not entirely true. For more on the situation at Annapolis, see here:

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2006/11/usna-serious-institution.html

Read the Navy Times article linked from that post, as well as the comments below it. Those comments are from many current and past Navy men.

As a Patriots fan, I can certainly appreciate Kyle's great play. As a Navy veteran, however, I cannot fathom his behaviour during a time when our nation is at war. He was a serving Navy officer, and in short, placed himself above the needs of his nation and service.

There is much more to this story than the Globe's article suggests.

Respects,

The Navy Times article has been removed. I don't know what it said, but who are you to be judge and jury without knowing the circumstances?

Same with that blog. It was done just after Eckel got to Miami and makes NO mention of the fact that the assault charges against him were dropped or that Eckel was actually the victim.

I read the blog and I have to say that there are 47 comments there. There were only 15 different posters... Some were defaming Eckel, but others were upset at the USNA and the idea that D-1A football is important. And there were 2 posters who defended Eckel.

You do not know if he placed his needs above that of his nation and its cowardice on your part to say so without knowing all the facts of the situation.

Also, did you ever stop to think that maybe Eckel shouldn't have been an officer to begin with? That's right. I am saying that maybe the Navy made a mistake by keeping him at the Academy. If he was that much of a screw-up and the Navy knew about it, why did they keep him? And believe me, they'd have known if he was.

Where we don't know the details of his discharge, its unfair to judge Eckel on it. Especially since it was not a dishonorable discharge, to my knowledge.

 

[DaBruinz]

I have the feeling that there is alot more to this story.

His discharge from the Navy may include a cause that he must remain silent.

My question is though, why would he choose the Naval Academy. He must have known going in what it is like.

A free ride to college can entice many people.

Also, as you said, there is more to this story. Heck, Eckel could have just been discharged because the Navy might have had too many Junior Officers. We don't know.

 

[DaBruinz]

The guy seems like a grade A prick, an entitled little brat. But the NFL is not about any of that (see Lawrence Taylor, 90s Cowboys, etc.)

I am glad I only have to watch him on tv and don't have to live beside or associate with such a creep.

WOW.. talk about pulling something out of your arse. Gee, sherlock, what led you to those conclusions?

Could it be him being attacked by a drunk b!tch and defending himself? Or could it be his walking in on his buddy sleeping with a female midshipman..

Hmm..

Since that article went into such great detail about the agreement that Eckel had with the Navy about being stationed in Newport.. OH WAIT.. they didn't mention that.

How about showing why the Navy rescinded its agreement with Eckel when Saban claimed Eckel off waiver... OH wait.. they didn't mention that either.

How about you show why he was given an administrative discharge and not a dishonorable discharge? OH wait.. You can't do that either.

So, tell us again how you jumped to such an assanine conclusion... .

 

[cstjohn17]

So, tell us again how you jumped to such an assanine conclusion... .

Captain homer to the rescue! I am sure if he was a Bengal you would have the exact same perspective.

I am sure the Navy dismissed him because he was found to be of too high character. We will never know the whole story so maybe I am dead wrong, maybe you are, who cares anyway.

By the way Mr. Smarty Pants, you did not spell 'assanine' correctly...

 

[PonyExpress]

WOW.. talk about pulling something out of your arse. Gee, sherlock, what led you to those conclusions?

Could it be him being attacked by a drunk b!tch and defending himself? Or could it be his walking in on his buddy sleeping with a female midshipman..

Hmm..

Since that article went into such great detail about the agreement that Eckel had with the Navy about being stationed in Newport.. OH WAIT.. they didn't mention that.

How about showing why the Navy rescinded its agreement with Eckel when Saban claimed Eckel off waiver... OH wait.. they didn't mention that either.

How about you show why he was given an administrative discharge and not a dishonorable discharge? OH wait.. You can't do that either.

So, tell us again how you jumped to such an assanine conclusion... .

Not to disagree with your main points, but anything other than an honorable discharge is bad news.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

While we all know the good of the team is the most important thing for Belichick, it wouldn't surprise me if there were an element of guilt working here--there's a decent chance that, had Belichick kept Eckel on the active roster, none of the incidents mentioned in the article would have taken place.

Then again, I also think it was a douchebag move on Saban's part to claim Eckel off waivers, especially if he knew that Eckel's deal would expire as a result.

 

[DaBruinz]

Not to disagree with your main points, but anything other than an honorable discharge is bad news.

An administrative discharge because the Navy has no spots for you is not bad news.

It used to be that it was either black or white. Dishonorable or honorable. They've since added administrative. Which carries neither the honorable or dishonorable tag.

 

[PonyExpress]

An administrative discharge because the Navy has no spots for you is not bad news.

It used to be that it was either black or white. Dishonorable or honorable. They've since added administrative. Which carries neither the honorable or dishonorable tag.

BB obviously has talked to the Navy football coach about Eckel, and knows what kind of football player he is, and that's all that matters to me. I think we know why the Globe focused on Eckel's past, the motives of the paper are transparent. But I reiterate that an administrative discharge means you did not serve your country with honor. That is very unusual for a Naval Academy grad. An "administrative discharge" is not something to be proud of.

 

[DaBruinz]

BB obviously has talked to the Navy football coach about Eckel, and knows what kind of football player he is, and that's all that matters to me. I think we know why the Globe focused on Eckel's past, the motives of the paper are transparent. But I reiterate that an administrative discharge means you did not serve your country with honor. That is very unusual for a Naval Academy grad. An "administrative discharge" is not something to be proud of.

Again, I have to disagree. An administrative discharge has no bearing on whether or not you served honorably.

No one said Eckel should or shouldn't be proud of it.

 

[Dr Pain]

Freind,

As a Patriots fan, I can certainly appreciate Kyle's great play. As a Navy veteran, however, I cannot fathom his behaviour during a time when our nation is at war. He was a serving Navy officer, and in short, placed himself above the needs of his nation and service.

There is much more to this story than the Globe's article suggests.

Respects,

Unfortunately this behavior is exactly what I see and expect from the cream of the Navy. The navy is still 60% tailhook scandal at certain elite levels.

 

[MDPATSFAN]

The Navy has had a "zero defect" mentality since the Tail Hook scandal. His career was probably FUBAR from the git-go due to the bad luck liberty incidents.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

BB obviously has talked to the Navy football coach about Eckel, and knows what kind of football player he is, and that's all that matters to me. I think we know why the Globe focused on Eckel's past, the motives of the paper are transparent. But I reiterate that an administrative discharge means you did not serve your country with honor. That is very unusual for a Naval Academy grad. An "administrative discharge" is not something to be proud of.

What if a Naval Academy grad was gay? Then the Navy might do an admin discharge and it would be nobody's business. There are scenarios such as this that BB might investigate and knowingly decide that the player did not have a problematic character. We don't know and it's presumptuous to draw conclusions on the absence of data. The data we DO have is that Steve Belichick admired the kid. Bill Belichick checked him out and is high on him and at least some Naval officers whom he graduated with would feel comfortable with him in a foxhole.