If the team likes your backups more than you...

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

from Pasquerelli on ESPN

 

Barring a change of heart by Philadelphia Eagles officials and coaches, holdout starting tailback Duce Staley has likely played his last game with the team, and could be traded once he finally reports to training camp after what is already a three-week absence.

 

The first half of the equation, with Staley ending his camp hiatus, could occur this week. The other half -- sending Staley to one of the two or three teams seriously pursuing the six-year veteran -- could then quickly follow.

 

No deal is imminent, however, and none will occur until Staley reports. Team sources told ESPN.com Saturday night that they don't want to create a perception that Staley "won" his holdout gambit by sitting out. Accordingly, they have informed Staley, through intermediaries, that he must first report if he wants to eventually end his relationship with the team that brought him into the league as a third-round choice in the 1997 draft.

 

"The feeling around here," said one Eagles source, "is that the bridges are burned. It will be hard for him to come back and play."

 

That said, no trade is likely to be consummated unless the team acquiring Staley gets him to agree to a contract extension in advance. Staley, 28, is in the final year of his current contract and no club would deal for him to have him for just one season. The tipoff that a trade isn't yet close: None of the teams interested in adding Staley have yet gained permission from the Eagles to initiate extension negotiations with the tailback.

 

One team prominently mentioned in most trade rumors is Chicago, which is concerned about the performance of 2001 league rookie of the year Anthony Thomas, who slumped in 2002 and has not improved much in camp this summer.

 

The Eagles might also want to add a veteran backup tailback before swapping Staley, which could slow any trade discussions as well. Third-year veteran Correll Buckhalter is all but set to supplant Staley in the lineup, but he is coming off a knee injury sustained in a 2002 mini-camp that sidelined him for the entire season.

 

Second-year veteran Brian Westbrook, projected as the Eagles' third-down tailback, suffered a bruised knee last week. Undrafted free agent rookie Reno Mahe has looked good in preseason play, and had a very solid game Saturday night at Pittsburgh in a victory, but isn't ready yet to assume a significant role. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the Eagles will want to cover all bases before dealing Staley summarily.

 

Yet two sources reiterated Saturday night that Staley, scheduled to earn a base salary of $2.2 million this year, is no longer in the team's plans.

 

The former South Carolina star has rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his six years in the league, including 1,029 yards in 2002. His best season came in 1999, when Staley had 1,273 yards, but the following year, he suffered a mid-foot fracture that slowed his career.

 

Staley has 4,344 yards and 17 touchdowns on 1,104 career carries. He has started in 61 of his 82 regular-season appearances.

[the pinjockey 0]

Ahem....mememe......Fuck Duce.

 

If you are a decent starting running back. DECENT. And you are being paid in the top 10 running backs. Then you shut the fuck up, get your ass in camp, and worry about your future in the offseason.

 

I would be thrilled if they get anything for him, as long as they don't trade him to Tampa (Unless they give a first rounder or something ridiculous).

[Bored 0]

FUCK! I took him in my fantasy draft...and I was so happy today because I had drafted Kelly Holcomb.

[Guest Flyboy]

I would be thrilled if they get anything for him, as long as they don't trade him to Tampa

If Duce ends up going to Tampa Bay, they will repeat. You can bank on that.