Kyle Eckel is currently a fullback for the Denver Broncos. He was an undrafted rookie free agent who signed with the New England Patriots coming out of Navy. He later played with the Eagles in 2009 and also played with the Dolphins. He was born and raised in Philly and like most Philly sports fans, he has some strong opinions. However, it wasn’t a strong opinion that put him in the hot seat for starting a rumor involving Jon Gruden taking over as the Eagles head coach this coming up season — if we have one. OTR Sports catches up with the never-lacking-in-strong-opinions fullback now.

OTR: What did you post on Facebook that started the Jon Gruden replacing Andy Reid rumor, which blew up the sports world and the city of Philadelphia?

Kyle Eckel: “I’ve been asked this a bunch and the exact phrasing I couldn’t supply. But, it was basically something like, ‘inside word, Gruden is in town shacked up at a hotel. I don’t think he’s here for a position on the Flyers.’”

OTR: You have since removed that post and have issued a statement on your Facebook page. Who is taking responsibility for the fiasco and why?

KE: “I removed it because people were taking it so seriously. My Facebook news feed is… a Facebook news feed. Not the Wall Street Journal. It’s not affiliated with any local media. And it certainly isn’t affiliated with the Eagles. I hope people don’t think since playing for the Eagles three years ago I’m now a spokesman for the team. To be honest, I can see the reason for confusion with fans of the team and my Facebook friends. And for that I apologize. My friends and I were watching the Super Bowl at a local restaurant and a rumor buzzed around the place. I shared the rumor, which being in my situation, was a poor decision. Soon after the comment began erupting I jumped on Facebook again and posted that it was just a rumor. But the local media took off and it was too late. For those actual media outlets that used my Facebook as some breaking news source, it was laughable.”

OTR: What do you think are the journalistic ramifications of social networks such as Facebook?

KE: “The journalistic ramifications are huge…if you’re a journalist. If you’re not than social networking sites should be treated as such. Social networking sites.”

OTR: According to a poll on Philly.com, 67% of 1000 fans are in favor of Gruden over Reid this season — not to mention the overwhelming outcry from fans on the local sports radio. Do you think the fans’ feelings are warranted?

KE: “People are entitled to their opinions and everyone likes taking polls at the click of a mouse. Are the fans warranted? I don’t know.”

OTR: After playing with the Patriots, the Dolphins, the Birds and the Saints where do you rank the Eagles organization? Where do you rank Andy Reid as a head coach?

KE: “I wouldn’t rank Andy Reid just as I wouldn’t rank Bill Belichick or any coach I’ve played for. I’ve been fortunate to play for some of the games greatest in college and the NFL and each have their own unique styles to succeed. And they’ve all succeeded.”

OTR: What are your thoughts on new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo making the jump from being the O-line coordinator? What’s your thoughts on his ability to read defenses, dissect them and teach it?

KE: “Juan is a great coach. He’s a motivator and fans will love his energy on the sidelines. Juan taught me a lot during my time with the Eagles and every single day after practice he’d be the last coach on the field with his players going over some extra work on fundamentals and schemes. I don’t doubt Juan’s knowledge of football. In fact, I’m confident in it. I hope his tenure as D-cord is a success like it was as being the offensive line coach.”

OTR: As a Philly native you are a huge Flyers fan. What are your thoughts on this year’s run to the Cup? (Personally, I’m picking the Flyers and Sharks in the Cup this year if San Jose can get past the Wings. I’d love to see Shelley (not that he’d play much in the playoffs) and Bouche go up against their former team. Do you think Bouche is up for it? And do you think there is a role for guys like Jody Shelley and Daniel Carcillo (AKA Dennis Rodman on ice) in the playoffs?)?

KE: “I love the Flyers and for a long time during my childhood the Flyers were #1 to me in this town. I think their chemistry and puck movement make them a good pick for Stanley Cup Champs but goaltending might be the only problem. I worry about a rookie in net and Boucher who in my opinion is a good goalie but a big question remains. Can he be that guy who gets hot during the playoffs and I just don’t know. I really wanted the Flyers to pick up Niemi in the offseason since he’s proven but it didn’t happen. I’m not sure we’ll see much of Shelley in the playoffs but if we’re in a lead and things are getting tough then I can see Carcillo making an appearance.”

It feels like the NFL just started, but after this week 25 percent of the season will be done.  In a blink of an eye we’ll be a quarter of the way through.  So, before anything else flashes by, let’s get right into this weeks picks.

Houston Texans (-3) over Oakland Raiders

What a disappointing loss last week for the Houston Texans.  They were denied a 3-0 start against the Dallas Cowboys, a team they have always been second fiddle to in the state of Texas.  But playing second fiddle is better than not being able to play a fiddle at all.  Ladies and gentlemen, the Oakland Raiders.  After losing against the Arizona Cardinals last week in Glendale, the Raiders now face off against 13-straight teams they are supposed to lose to.  Some would say that’s a tough road ahead.  The stretch starts this Sunday against the Texans in the Raiders backyard.  A backyard that used to be so intimidating, but now resembles Chicago’s comedy club The Second City more than anything.  They have a great cast this year.  Tom Cable returned for his third season as the token, funny, fat guy.  Is he going to punch someone?  How many ex-wives does he have?  Man o man, he’s crazy!  Here comes Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski.  Which one is going to throw an interception this week?  Who was that pass thrown to?  Stop, my stomach hurts, you guys are killing me!  Oh no…here comes big bad Richard Seymour.  Why is he always so mean?  No worries, Sebastian Janikowski just teed up the ball.  He’ll loosen everyone up with a wide left kick.  Oh, it was wide right.  Who saw that coming?  What a funny twist!  If you have a chance, buy some tickets for the show.  It’s full of laughs and very entertaining.  I believe this week might be a replay of Week One.  The cast forgets to block, commits many penalties, and turns the ball over.  Darren McFadden might guest star in an ‘oops, I’m running the wrong way’ skit.  That always gets’em.  Houston Texans 38 Oakland Raiders 13

San Francisco 49ers (+7) over Atlanta Falcons

What?  The San Francisco 49ers?  Don’t worry, I still have them losing by 6.9 points, I’m just taking the seven.  But if we can keep things real for a moment or two.  The Falcons are coming off a huge win in New Orleans, so a little set back might occur this week against the 49ers, a team that is more desperate for a win than Heidi Montag is for another week of plastic surgery.  And remember, I’m keeping it real.  What was the deal with everyone hyping up Alex Smith after the second half against New Orleans a couple Monday Nights ago?  Was everyone waiting for him to have one good game, so we could talk about how he has arrived?  And it wasn’t even one good game.  It was one good half.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden wouldn’t shut up about how impressed they were with his play.  And it had the trickle down effect with other analysts during the week following on ESPN.  We’re talking about the 28th ranked quarterback in the NFL.  Smith has thrown two touchdowns and five interceptions this year for an 0-3 team.  David Garrard has a better passing rating.  Yes, I said David Garrard.  I’m sorry Jaws and Chuckie, but your boy isn’t an NFL quarterback and Coach Singletary might get fired because of it.  I almost just talked myself out of San Fran covering, but I’m going with my gut.  My gut tells me to take the Niners and the points.  Kristy Alley’s gut tells her to eat.  Go with what works.  Atlanta Falcons 20.9 San Francisco 49ers 14

New York Jets (-5.5) over Buffalo Bills

The New York Jets have a simple bus ride up to Buffalo and guess who’s driving?  Braylon Edwards…and he’s two red bull and vodkas deep.  Northbound with the hammer down.  That’s how loose things are under Coach Rex Ryan.  Speaking of Edwards, what’s up with his new endzone dance where he pretends he’s slicking back his hair from front to back, right in the face of the defender?  Is that going to be his thing all season long?  I sure hope so.  I guess it’s good he’s acting like John Travolta, cause it means he’s getting into the endzone.  Two scores this year already after only passing the pylons seven times in the past two seasons.  It seems like such a long time ago when he caught 16 touchdowns in 2007.  Will Santonio Holmes coming back from suspension help him or hurt him?  Too bad there isn’t anyone coming back from suspension for the Bills to help them get better.  Man, what a mess up there.  At what point do the fans just give their team to Toronto?  “We’ve had enough, you take’em.”  Buffalo is off to an 0-3 start, including two losses within the division.  There can’t be anything more depressing than finding out the NFL team you root for every year is already done in September…AGAIN.  However, there is one bright spot.  C. J. Spiller, the Bills 9th overall pick this past April.  Last weekend he got into the endzone twice against the Patriots, including a 95-yard kick off return in the third quarter.  He’ll need plenty of them this weekend if the Bills want to upset the Jets, but it’s not happening.  The Bills’ offense is so cold right now you can see the blue mountains of the Colorado Rockies visible on their uniforms.  Yes, Bills fans, time to drink.  New York Jets 23 Buffalo Bills 17

Baltimore Ravens (+1.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers

One looks at this game and they think, ‘this is going to be one defensive battle.’  Nope!  This has the potential to be one of the most highest scoring games in NFL history.  Quick question, what was the highest scoring game in NFL history?  Answer is…Washington Redskins 72 New York Giants 41, November 27th, 1966.  And just like that game, this game is also a division rivalry.  One of the best division rivalries in all of football.  A close second to the infamous Houston Texans-Jacksonville Jaguars rivalry that has football fans across America sitting at the edge of their seats everytime they play each other.  While everyone is prematurely yelling out Michael Vick and Jay Cutler for NFL MVP considerations, the Steelers have a player that is more important to his team than anyone else in the league.  Troy Polamalu.  For real.  I mean, how spectacular of a player is this guy?  He’s Head and Shoulders above the rest.  Unfortunately, the Ravens don’t have their Troy Polamalu (Ed Reed) in their lineup yet, but they do have 35-year old middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who still is the scariest player in the NFL to play against.  Despite the defensive names I’m throwing out there, I’m still thinking this will be a high-scoring affair.  Take the over, whatever it is.  It’s probably around 15 or 20 or something like that.  Baltimore Ravens 61 Pittsburgh Steelers 60

Season record (1-3)

Odds based on Thursday’s NFL lines on Vegasinsider, MGM Mirage.

You can argue against it, but you probably won’t win.  Dan Snyder is the best owner the sport of football has ever seen.  More specifically, the best the NFL has ever seen.

Forget the fact that he loves to trade away valuable draft picks for invaluable players.  Forget the fact that he overpays free agents to the nth degree.  Forget the fact that since he purchased the Redskins in May of ’99 the team has done jack squat, besides repeatedly embarrassing their fans.

Forget all that.  And remember that Daniel is full of love.  He loves not understanding one ounce of football.  He loves himself.  And he loves coaches.  Lots of them.  So much that he will be searching for his 7th one in 11 years after yet another pathetic season.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Daniel Snyder checks his payroll on the company computer

Unfortunately for Jon Gruden, he is number one on Snyder’s wish list.  The former Tampa Bay and Oakland coach is currently a Monday Night football commentator, but sources close to Gruden said he plans to coach again at the start of next season.

The question will be if Gruden will want to coach the Redskins.  You can be sure Daniel Snyder will be throwing some serious money at him.  And if that can’t lure him over, don’t be suprised if he dangles three first round picks, a second, a third, two fourths, three fifths, and another first and one more second to Monday Night Football to get the deal done.

Our good friends at KissingSuzyKolber.com (they have no idea who we are) posted something great today. Just in case the thought of Brett Favre taking on his old Packers isn’t entertainment enough tonight, try this Jon Gruden MNF drinking game.

Thanks for the idea KSK!

THIS GUY’S A COMPETITOR.

HE FLAT OUT COMPETES.

THIS GUY IS HERE TO PLAY.

I DON’T THINK ANY OF THESE GUYS ARE GONNA GET CAUGHT UP IN ANY OF THAT STUFF, MIKE.

THE TIME FOR TALK IS OVER. NOW IT’S TIME TO PLAY.

YOU THINK BRETT FAVRE ISN’T STILL PUMPED TO BE PLAYING IN THIS LEAGUE?

YOU THINK THIS TEAM IS GLAD BRETT FAVRE DECIDED TO UNRETIRE?

MIKE, THIS GUY JUST HAS WHAT IT TAKES.

THIS GUY IS A PLAYER.

THIS GUY JUST PLAYS.

THIS GUY JUST KNOWS HOW TO PLAY.

THIS GUY JUST GOES OUT AND PLAYS.

THIS GUY IS A PLAYER WHO KNOWS HOW TO GO OUT AND PLAY.

THIS GUY JUST RUNS.

THIS GUY JUST TACKLES.

THIS GUY JUST HOLDS. (NOTE: only when said in reference to Allen Barbre.)

THIS GUY WILL HIT YOU, JAWS.

THIS GUY JUST GETS IT DONE, TIME AND AGAIN.

YOU TALK ABOUT TOUGH, YOU TALK ABOUT ANTOINE WINFIELD.

THAT THROW WAS SHEER GUTS, RIGHT THERE.

AARON RODGERS HAS KEPT HIS POISE THROUGH THIS WHOLE ORDEAL (NOTE: shot must be done with Tommy Craggs)

THIS GUY LEADS THE LEAGUE IN DETERMINATION.

THIS GUY LEADS THE LEAGUE IN STICKTUITIVENESS.

THIS GUY LEADS THE LEAGUE IN STUBBLE.

60 MINUTES!