Wednesday, March 10, 2004

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers took their first step toward beefing up their woeful
ground game by signing running back Duce Staley to a five-year, $14
million contract last night.

Staley, 29, was an unrestricted free agent from Philadelphia, where
he played seven seasons after the Eagles drafted him in the third
round from South Carolina. He received a $4 million signing bonus as
part of his deal.

The Steelers won out over the Eagles and Detroit Lions, where Staley
spent the day yesterday.

"He really got very excited about playing for the Steelers and
envisioned himself as a Steeler," agent Leigh Steinberg said. "He was
extremely enthusiastic about Coach Bill Cowher and the tradition of
the Steelers and being part of that running game and playing with
Jerome Bettis. And he felt like it was just too amazing an
opportunity to pass up."

The Steelers got away from their great running tradition last season
when they slipped to 31st in the NFL, their lowest ranking in
history. Bettis lost his starting job in training camp but regained
it after six games and led the team with 811 yards. He took a steep
pay cut recently, agreeing to play for a $1 million salary after he
said Cowher promised him a chance to compete for the starting job
with any back the team might bring in.

Cowher and Ken Whisenhunt, his new offensive coordinator, both have
said improving the ground game was a priority. They re-signed
fullback Dan Kreider last week.

Staley might be a bargain for the price the Steelers paid. They like
their running backs big, and he is that at 5 feet 11, 220 pounds. He
was voted the Eagles' MVP in 1998, '99 and 2002, is their third-
leading rusher of all time with 4,807 yards and is second in
receptions by a Philadelphia running back with 272.

Steinberg said Staley was a Steelers fan growing up in Columbia,
S.C., which is also the home of former Steelers great Donnie Shell.

"It's a dream come true for him. In one way, it swung the deal when
we were going back and forth with Detroit and Pittsburgh. He said
it's one of the things that makes it a thrill for him."

By signing him, the Steelers do not have to use their first-round
draft pick on a running back and can fill another need, such as
cornerback or offensive tackle.

Although Staley rushed for only 463 yards last season, he was part of
what was called a "three-headed monster" in Philadelphia, sharing the
backfield duties with two others. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry and
caught 36 passes for an average of 10.6 yards a catch.

He rushed for more than 1,000 yards three times and was considered
the Eagles' best offensive weapon before Donvan McNabb became their
starting quarterback in 2000. Staley's best season rushing came in
1999, when he gained 1,273 yards. He caught 63 passes in 2001 and 51
in '02

The Steelers prefer to have a back to play on first and second downs
and substitute another on third downs, but Staley's ability as a pass
receiver could make him an every-down back here, possibly sharing
some time with Bettis on first and second downs. Staley has the
unique ability of being a tough runner inside the tackles who also is
adept at catching passes.

"He's so versatile, he has so many dimensions, does so many things
well," Steinberg said. "He's just got a ton of tools."

Amos Zereoue, who previously served as the Steelers third-down back
before he won -- and then lost -- the starting job last season, is
expected to be released if the team cannot trade him.



NOTES -- Travis Kirschke, a defensive tackle from San Francisco,
visited the Steelers yesterday. If the Steelers sign Kirschke, who
also played for the Detroit Lions, it likely would mean they would
not match the offer the New England Patriots made to defensive end
Rodney Bailey. If the Steelers decline to match the $1.3 million, one-
year deal for Bailey, they would receive New England's sixth-round
pick in the April draft. ... CB Dewayne Washington, released by the
Steelers, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday. ... The
Steelers are trying to trade P Josh Miller and will release him if a
deal can not be worked out. ... CB Artrell Hawkins, who visited the
Steelers on Monday, was close to signing with the Carolina Panthers
last night.