Aug 29 2006
Duce may not make the cut
There’s a good possibility that Steelers running back Duce Staley will be fighting for his job on Thursday night when the Carolina Panthers come to town for both teams’ last preseason game.
Staley has only 46 yards on 23 carries in three exhibition games, and was limited to 21 yards on 11 carries in a 16-7 loss Friday to Philadelphia. In 2004, Staley was averaging 101 yards through seven games before injuring a hamstring, and he has never regained his starting job.
Staley looked somewhat out of shape when camp opened, and Cowher said last week Staley would not be the goal-line and short-yardage back that Jerome Bettis was last season as Willie Parker’s backup.
“Duce is working himself back into running shape,” Cowher said last week.
Is that what the kids call it these days? Who are Duce’s trainers, the Primanti Brothers?
Look, Duce was great for about have a season in 2004, but he’s done nothing since he got hurt in that game against the Patriots. Plus, he’s 32, he’s only averaging 46 yards on 23 carries this preseason, and he looks almost as spent as Stephen Davis did last October. The only reason he’ll probably keep his roster spot is because there’s nobody behind him but John Kuhn and Cedric Humes, and if those guys manage to beat out Duce, then he probably shouldn’t be on the roster.
Depth at running back is a problem here. Steelers fans better hope Willie Parker and Verron Haynes stay healthy. That’s all I’m really rooting for in this Steelers-Panthers preseason game — no injuries.
One Response to “Duce may not make the cut”
I knew he was in trouble when he left Philly. Fool should’ve stayed….good post.