|
Duce
Staley
had a
career
year in
2002,
scoring
eight
touchdowns
and
posting
1,570
total
yards of
offense.
Then he
and his
agent
figured
that it
was time
to
renegotiate
his
contract.
When the
Eagles
said
"No",
Duce and
his
agent
decided
he would
hold out
until he
was
given a
new
contract.
Bad
idea.
The
Eagles
weren’t
going to
do it
seeing
that
they had
two
younger
and more
explosive
backs in
Correll
Buckhalter
and
Brian
Westbrook.
Eventually,
Staley
came
back to
camp
with his
tail
between
his legs
and no
new
contract.
Subsequently
he lost
his
starting
job and
had only
96
rushing
attempts
in 2003.
That was
his
lowest
total
since
2000
when he
only
played
five
games
because
of a
right
foot
injury
that
required
two pins
to be
inserted
into his
foot in
order
for him
to heal
properly.
Duce
became a
free
agent
after
the 2003
season
and he
decided
to sign
with the
Pittsburgh
Steelers.
Pittsburgh
gave
Duce
Staley a
five-year
deal
worth
$14
million
including
a $4
million
signing
bonus.
What
does
this do
to Duce
Staley’s
fantasy
value?
I
believe
this
makes
Staley a
solid
number
two
fantasy
back and
an
excellent
slot
back if
you
carry
that
position
in your
league,
and
here’s
why:
•
Productivity
- Duce
Staley,
when
given
the
opportunity
last
season
performed
very
well.
With
limited
touches
he
scored
seven
touchdowns,
which
was one
less
then his
previous
career
high of
eight in
2002.
Staley
also had
a career
high
rushing
yards
per
attempt
with an
average
of 4.8.
The one
Eagle
who
stood
out to
me in
last
year’s
playoffs
was
Staley.
In the
Divisional
playoff
win
against
the
Green
Bay
Packers
Staley
had 71
total
yards
and a
touchdown.
Those
numbers
might
not be
staggering
but when
I tell
you that
he only
had five
rushing
attempts
yet
totaled
45 yards
on the
ground,
that 9.0
yards
per
carry
should
jump out
at you.
The next
week
against
the
Carolina
Panthers
Staley
had 112
total
yards.
In that
game he
carried
the ball
13 times
for 79
yards
for an
average
of 6.1
yards
per
carry.
What
this
shows is
that
Staley
still is
a very
productive
running
back.
•
Opportunity
- Last
season
the
Steelers'
rushing
offense
was the
worst
it’s
been in
over
three
decades.
Last
year
only the
Detroit
Lions
rushed
for
fewer
yards
per game
then the
Steelers.
Coach
Bill
Cowher
has
already
stated
that the
Steelers
will go
back to
the
power
running
game.
He also
said
that the
starting
running
back job
was
Duce’s
to lose.
I don’t
think
that
will
happen
as
Staley
was
given a
nice
bonus
when
Amos
Zereoue
was
released
and
Bettis
took a
pay cut
just to
remain
with the
Steelers.
Staley
will see
the ball
plenty.
•
Intangibles
- Duce
Staley
has a
great
attitude
and he
has
always
been
considered
a team
player.
He
actually
took
less
money to
play for
the
Steelers
instead
of
Detroit
because
he
believed
in coach
Bill
Cowher’s
commitment
to the
running
game. In
the
Eagles
last
three
Championship
games
they ran
less
than 36
percent
of the
time and
Staley
wants to
be on a
team
that
focuses
on the
running
game.
From a
personal
standpoint
Staley
grew up
as a
Pittsburgh
Steelers
fan so
him
playing
in
Pittsburgh
was a
dream
come
true.
He also
signed a
new deal
with a
new team
without
having
to leave
the
state.
In
conclusion,
Staley’s
numbers
were so
ho-hum
last
year
that
he’s
probably
not one
of the
most
coveted
backs in
your
Fantasy
Football
draft,
but Duce
in
Pittsburgh
should
be a
very
solid
fantasy
pick
come
draft
day.
If you
have any
comments
on this
article
feel
free to
contact
me.
Stingray |
