Staley to Pittsburgh

stevew · 03-09-2004, 10:08 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...len&id=1755323

Free-agent tailback Duce Staley, the top unrestricted player at his position, could take a bus across the Pennsylvania Turnpike to reach his new home.

Fitting, since the former Philadelphia Eagles star will take the place of "The Bus" in the Pittsburgh Steelers' lineup.

Staley on Tuesday night signed a five-year, $14 million deal with the Steelers, ESPN.com has learned, and the team hopes he will resurrect a ground game that uncharacteristically ranked as the second worst in 2003. Ironically, one reason Staley opted for the Steelers over the Detroit Lions, with whom he visited Tuesday, was the presence of Jerome Bettis, aka "The Bus."

The contract will pay Staley, 29, a $4 million signing bonus. Over its first four seasons, the contract is worth $12 million, and then the base salary in 2008 drops to $2 million. Pittsburgh had pursued Staley, 29, ardently the past two days and made him a top priority.

His signing means that the Steelers will release Amos Zereoue, a part-time starter in each of the last two seasons. Bettis recently restructured his contract, reducing his base salary to $1 million, to remain with the team for at least one more season.

"It was obvious the Steelers really wanted Duce," said agent Derrick Harrison. "And it was pretty obvious, too, that Duce admires Jerome and wants to play with him. He thinks they'll make for a great twosome."

Make no mistake about it, though -- the Steelers recruited Staley to be the starter. Not in three decades has the Pittsburgh ground attack been as pitiful as in 2003 and Staley will be counted upon to provide instant improvement. The Steelers traditionally have been a power running team and Staley's slashing style should make for a good fit.

The Tampa Bay Bucs were among the other teams interested in Staley, but they opted to sign free agent Charlie Garner earlier Tuesday.

A former South Carolina star, Staley was a third-round choice of the Eagles in the '97 draft. He has started in 65 of his 98 appearances and rushed for 4,807 yards and 22 touchdowns on 1,200 carries. Staley also is an accomplished receiver and has 275 career catches for 2,498 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Three times in his career -- 1998, 1999 and 2002 -- Staley rushed for more than 1,000 yards and he started double-digit games in four seasons. Last summer, he boycotted all of training camp, and that cost him his starting job. Amid rumors that he would be traded, however, Staley worked hard once he reported and coach Andy Reid agreed the Eagles needed him around.

Staley started only four games in 2003, the fewest since his rookie campaign, and ran for 463 yards. But when starter Brian Westbrook went down with an injury, Staley regained his starting spot late in the season and performed well through the playoffs.

Ksyrup · 03-09-2004, 10:17 PM

I know this guy isn't Clinton Portis, but considering the money being thrown around this offseason, this looks like a helluva deal for Pittsburgh.

EagleFan · 03-09-2004, 10:17 PM

I think Westbrook is a better option at this point, but will definitely miss what Staley contributed to the Eagles. He played his role perfectly during the season with no complaining about not starting and was a very good change of pace for Westbrook (Westbrook could dazzle and make the defense miss but Staley is a gutsy runner who can finish a run off well).

Sun Tzu · 03-09-2004, 10:17 PM

I guess that move makes sense for all parties involved. However the question that comes to mind is...what happened to the bus?

stevew · 03-09-2004, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun Tzu

I guess that move makes sense for all parties involved. However the question that comes to mind is...what happened to the bus?

Bus renegotiated his base down to about a million.

Hurst2112 · 03-09-2004, 10:32 PM

Jerome who?

Damn, I can't do that. This is great for the Steeler faithful. Maybe Jerome can teach him some humility so when Deuce has a couple years left on his contract, he doesn't whine and hold out.

Hurst2112 · 03-09-2004, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun Tzu

I guess that move makes sense for all parties involved. However the question that comes to mind is...what happened to the bus?

His groin happened. Too many nights at the bowling alley.

Axxon · 03-09-2004, 10:39 PM

I just wish the Bucs had gotten him instead of Garner. It looks like they are getting similar contracts. Maybe Staley didn't want to come to Tampa but the impression I'm getting is that Gruden wanted his old ( pun intended ) player back. It wouldn't be so bad but that's a lot of cash for a 32 yr old RB.

MikeVic · 03-09-2004, 11:15 PM

I'm happy about this.

Swaggs · 03-10-2004, 08:00 AM

Bettis will stick around for at least one more season. Zereoue will be the one leaving Pittsburgh.

Honolulu_Blue · 03-10-2004, 08:33 AM

I am happy about this too. It will now end the rumors that the Lions were insterested in Staley. I had no desire for this to happen. Never been all that impressed with Duce, especially these last few years.

QuikSand · 03-10-2004, 10:09 AM

I'm trying to figure out how this deal is built... it seems weird from what is written above:

Quote:

Staley on Tuesday night signed a five-year, $14 million deal with the Steelers...

The contract will pay Staley, 29, a $4 million signing bonus. Over its first four seasons, the contract is worth $12 million, and then the base salary in 2008 drops to $2 million.

So, it's $14 million total, with $4m in signing bonus up front. Got it - that leaves $10 million in base salary over the five years. Sounds like it could be as simple as $2m a year in salary, but there must be some kind of escalator there... since it says "the base salary in 2008 drops to $2 million." So, presumably, the base salary for this year is the veteran minimum, and then it ramps up to something higher than $2 million by 2007, only to drop back to $2, for 2008.

Uh...I guess.

damnMikeBrown · 03-10-2004, 10:46 AM

I don't like the math either. Seems to me that they're not counting the bonus in with the contract. It looks like a 5yr-$18million deal to me.

Bonus: $4million
Salary yrs 1-4: $12million
Salary yr 5: $2million
==============
Total contract: 5yrs, $18million

Edit: Because as Barbie said, "Math is hard!"

bamcgee · 03-10-2004, 10:49 AM

I'm not overly impressed by the deal. Sure, Staley can carry a football, but he has little speed and couldn't beat out Westbrook or Buckhalter. $4 million bonus for a 29 year old running back with 1 serious injury under his belt isn't great, but it isn't a backbreaker either.

MikeVic · 03-10-2004, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I am happy about this too. It will now end the rumors that the Lions were insterested in Staley. I had no desire for this to happen. Never been all that impressed with Duce, especially these last few years.

I have him in my Madden season on the Steelers.

He did great things there. I hope it means he'll do likewise in the real NFL...

Hurst2112 · 03-10-2004, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I am happy about this too. It will now end the rumors that the Lions were insterested in Staley. I had no desire for this to happen. Never been all that impressed with Duce, especially these last few years.

Sounds like me talking about James Stewart.

BigJohn&TheLions · 03-10-2004, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I am happy about this too. It will now end the rumors that the Lions were insterested in Staley. I had no desire for this to happen. Never been all that impressed with Duce, especially these last few years.

If only the Lions could get Corey Dillon. I don't see it happening, but I can dream, right?

Honolulu_Blue · 03-11-2004, 04:27 AM

The only free agent back I can see the Lions signing (other than re-signing their own, Stewart/Bryson) would be Garrison Hearst. He's old. He's had a TON of injury problems, but he's a decent West Coast back. Similar to the Streets signing, signin Hearst would take some of the pressure to draft a running back and could give the Lions time to evaluate Artose Pinner.

The Lions are in a tough spot. Their running game was ABSYMAL last year. Non existant. But they really have not had the opportunity to evaluate what they have in Pinner, so it's a tough call.

03-09-2004, 10:17 PM	#2
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	I know this guy isn't Clinton Portis, but considering the money being thrown around this offseason, this looks like a helluva deal for Pittsburgh. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

03-09-2004, 10:17 PM	#4
Sun Tzu Pro Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In the thick of it.	I guess that move makes sense for all parties involved. However the question that comes to mind is...what happened to the bus? __________________ I'm still here. Don't touch my fucking bacon.

03-09-2004, 10:32 PM	#6
Hurst2112 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Minneapolis	Jerome who? Damn, I can't do that. This is great for the Steeler faithful. Maybe Jerome can teach him some humility so when Deuce has a couple years left on his contract, he doesn't whine and hold out. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/longliveanalog

03-09-2004, 10:39 PM	#8
Axxon Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Phoenix, AZ	I just wish the Bucs had gotten him instead of Garner. It looks like they are getting similar contracts. Maybe Staley didn't want to come to Tampa but the impression I'm getting is that Gruden wanted his old ( pun intended ) player back. It wouldn't be so bad but that's a lot of cash for a 32 yr old RB. __________________ There are no houris, alas, in our heaven.

03-10-2004, 08:00 AM	#10
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Bettis will stick around for at least one more season. Zereoue will be the one leaving Pittsburgh. __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

03-09-2004, 10:17 PM	#3
EagleFan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA	I think Westbrook is a better option at this point, but will definitely miss what Staley contributed to the Eagles. He played his role perfectly during the season with no complaining about not starting and was a very good change of pace for Westbrook (Westbrook could dazzle and make the defense miss but Staley is a gutsy runner who can finish a run off well).

03-09-2004, 11:15 PM	#9
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	I'm happy about this.

03-10-2004, 08:33 AM	#11
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	I am happy about this too. It will now end the rumors that the Lions were insterested in Staley. I had no desire for this to happen. Never been all that impressed with Duce, especially these last few years.

03-10-2004, 10:46 AM	#13
damnMikeBrown College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cincinnati, OH	I don't like the math either. Seems to me that they're not counting the bonus in with the contract. It looks like a 5yr-$18million deal to me. Bonus: $4million Salary yrs 1-4: $12million Salary yr 5: $2million ============== Total contract: 5yrs, $18million Edit: Because as Barbie said, "Math is hard!" Last edited by damnMikeBrown : 03-10-2004 at 10:47 AM.

03-10-2004, 10:49 AM	#14
bamcgee High School JV Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Francisco, CA	I'm not overly impressed by the deal. Sure, Staley can carry a football, but he has little speed and couldn't beat out Westbrook or Buckhalter. $4 million bonus for a 29 year old running back with 1 serious injury under his belt isn't great, but it isn't a backbreaker either.

03-11-2004, 04:27 AM	#18
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	The only free agent back I can see the Lions signing (other than re-signing their own, Stewart/Bryson) would be Garrison Hearst. He's old. He's had a TON of injury problems, but he's a decent West Coast back. Similar to the Streets signing, signin Hearst would take some of the pressure to draft a running back and could give the Lions time to evaluate Artose Pinner. The Lions are in a tough spot. Their running game was ABSYMAL last year. Non existant. But they really have not had the opportunity to evaluate what they have in Pinner, so it's a tough call.

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