Gone Daddy Gone

Wow. I can't believe I missed this story. I've been a little busy the last few days. Something I was asking for, nay - begging for - happened earlier in the week. Now, for some reason while I was reading this, I have "Gone Daddy Gone" by the Violent Femmes stuck in my head. I've also never seen Cowher go out of his way to praise someone he cut like this. It comes down to this: Duce came to camp out of shape and was given every chance to play this year. At times he was sluggish and failed to carry people which is why he was here. This is a what have you done for me lately league. Sure, he started off like a demon in 2004. That's not doing us a lot of good right now. And last year's Green Bay game which Cowher is so enamored with? Well, if Staley wasn't there, we would have had another RB to fill in. It's not like we'd have to play without someone at the position. I'm confident with the way our line was playing - we could have thrown Gardocki in there as the back and still won the game. Later, Duce.

The Dump Truck Cometh

People can be so clueless. I'll help out by letting everyone in on the "dirty" little secret. I just read something somewhere where the author thought it was cool that Najeh Davenport is being called "The Dump Truck" in Pittsburgh. He likened it to Bettis being "The Bus" because of their extra large stature. Well, in some regard, yes....but Paul Harvey needs to sit this guy down on a "stool" and give him the rest of the story. Najeh was once accused of - and he accepted several hours of community service to not have it on his record - defecating in a woman's shoe in her closet while in school. Wow. Usually people get upset when they get shit on the BOTTOM of their shoes. Get it now? Poop? Dump? Dropping the kids off at the pool? Deploying the troops? Bombing the Serbs? Laying some pipe? Get it? Ah, now it makes sense. Well, to whatever degree pooping in someone's shoe makes sense. Do you think he squatted? I often wonder if he meant to hit the shoe - or if he was just pooping in the closet and he didn't care where it landed. If he was really drunk, he may have thought it was the bathroom and the light was just burned out. One night when my friends and I first started drinking - a kid thought he threw up in the toilet in the middle of the night. As it turns out, he threw up in a big decorative wicker vase! Shit happens. If I was a real sportswriter....I'd write things like "he really squirted through the line there" and "he blasted that one right up in there". When he's having a bad day? "Man is Najeh stinking up the joint today". I could go on and on...."Roethlisberger flushed out of the pocket, he looks to dump it off to Davenport". See? This is easy.

Superb Roster Move

In one of the better roster moves during a season I've seen in a while from the Steelers, Najeh Davenport replaced the newly acquired Cobbs from the Patriots. Cutting Cobbs also saves us from owing the Patriots a conditional draft pick. Davenport was a monster a few years ago while replacing Ahman Green. He will surely take over the short yardage situations as soon as he can prove to the coaching staff that he is healthy after breaking his ankle last year. Hopefully....HOPEFULLY.....the signing of the big back will spell the end of Staley's tenure as a Steeler. I'm not sure what this means for Verron Haynes as Najeh is a proven power back that can run between the tackles. Haynes is a good soldier who who never complains and wants to contribute. I can't wait to see Davenport in action. Looking at all the big backs who were available this year, TJ Duckett and Ron Dayne included, I actually like Davenport better as he's never shown the softness that both Dayne and Duckett have ben accused of. I will say this - if Nate Washington continues to excel at WR, maybe we should have drafted Lendale White this year instead of Santonio Holmes, although White had softness issues also if I remember correctly.

Kuhn Cut, Staley Staying

Get the sweatsuits ready, Cowher keeps Duce but admits he'll be deactivated a lot early on as the Steelers traded for little known New England rookie, Cobbs. I'm very disappointed in the news, especially since Quincy Morgan was cut. I thought Q would make the team based on experience since the rest of the squad is so young after Hines and Ced. Oh well, I like it that Morey made the team as he is a tremendous special teams player. Let's hope Cowher runs Duce until he pukes in practices and gets his fat ass back in shape for the playoff run when he might be needed. I'm glad Dekkar got cut also, he stunk it up. Nua wasn't working out anywhere. I guess our cap situation is good enough to keep Duce as an experienced backup, but how many teams have someone making that kind of money deactivated week after week? He should be embarassed into retirement. I thought Kuhn would make the team. Maybe they'll get him back on the practice squad.

I Have A Bad Feeling About Duce

"Sweats" got all of 46 yards last night on 19 carries. That's 2.4 per carry. Sickening. While those numbers alone should seal his fate, especially since it was against backups, I have a sinking feeling that Bill Cowher has a soft spot for the soft RB. I think he thinks he owes him something for stepping back and allowing Bettis to have the spotlight last year. The thing is, Duce didn't step back on his own...initially he was injured, and then Jerome just took over and couldn't be denied. It wasn't like somebody went to Duce and said "hey, can you wear your little gray sweatsuit a few more weeks - look how much fun Jerome is having". No! Bettis has heart and passion and it shows every single time he touches the ball. Duce would look better sitting in front of a tv eating a big bowl of ice cream. The fact that he was still in the game in the 4th quarter is troubling to me. It says that coach "C" is trying to shake off his rust for him since he doesn't seem to want to do it himself. Maybe coach was hoping he'd break one (yeah, right!) and then everyone in the 'burgh would have a nice cup of STFU for breakfast this morning. Not. Hopefully, what coach was doing was showing the rest of the league Duce's considerable skills (at falling down) so they will pick him up after we cut him thus alleviating his guilt over cutting him. Coach, this is the NFL, hand the turk your cards and make sure STALEY, DUCE is printed on one of them. There is no way in my mind you can justify keeping him over Kuhn who will absolutely be gobbled up if he isn't kept on our team. "The Duce is loose?" How about "The Duce, no use". Amen.

Now Here's Good News

Duce Staley may be on his way out By Jim Wexell, For the Herald-Standard08/17/2006

LATROBE - Bill Cowher gave running back Duce Staley the day off Wednesday, but the Steelers' coach didn't say whether Staley had ever heard of Wally Pipp. Those who are kind say that Staley has looked sluggish this camp, or rusty, and that he must continue carrying the football to strip away that rust. Others feel there may be too much rust for the 31-year-old to overcome. Staley hasn't carried more than 17 times in a game since his 125- yard performance against New England on Halloween of 2004. Since then, he's averaged 3.4 yards per each of his 79 carries, and only 3.1 per carry in his last three appearances. Much like Willie Mays the New York Met, Staley's weight is up and his average is down. Fresh legs might not get it done, so the Steelers' depth in the backfield remains dangerously thin.The Steelers expected rookie Cedric Humes to provide depth, but the seventh-round pick has a thin frame and runs too upright for their inside game. It's an equation for injuries or fumbles or both, and Humes obliged with a goal-line fumble last Saturday in the preseason opener. He'd fumbled twice during end-of-practice team scrimmages and lost six fumbles at Virginia Tech, so he's closing in on strike three.There's another young back who could provide the Steelers with some punch. He's the camp sleeper, a big, quiet back who wears his position coach's old number - 42."I like John Kuhn," said running backs coach Dick Hoak. "He's coachable and gets better every day. He's a tough runner, and if he keeps working to get those pads lower he'll turn into a good blocker, too."Blocking - in particular lead blocking - is important for Kuhn because it would allow the Steelers to use him at fullback and tailback. The 255-pounder is the all-time leader rusher at Division II Shippensburg (Pa.) University, where he was a fullback in the wing-T offense. Kuhn signed with the Steelers as a free agent after the 2005 draft, was cut prior to the season, but was signed to the practice squad Nov. 30. He remained with the team through the Super Bowl and is the proud owner of a championship ring.Kuhn is back this season, and he'd like to be the proud owner of a roster spot. He's faster than Jerome Bettis at the end of his career, and certainly faster than Staley at this point. Whether it's with the practice squad or final roster, Kuhn will be around for a while."Basically it's about getting a year under my belt, getting some playing time, some practice time, getting to understand the offense better and going out there with a clear head," said the York, Pa. native. "Being able to play better mentally allows you to play better physically because you can just go out there and relax. Basically, that's all it is. I feel much better out on the field. I'm not having to think about things two or three times before it comes to me. It's a lot more natural this year."Kuhn carried two times Saturday for 15 yards. His best run gained 11 yards up the middle in classic Steelers plow-horse fashion. But right now, in classic Steelers plow-horse fashion, Kuhn's more concerned with his blocking."I think they really want me to be a fullback, so I want to come in and give them what they want," he said. "Being able to play halfback isn't a bad second option."What has Hoak taught him about blocking?"He's taught me how to be more, I guess, more mean, to stay low on my blocks and try and really drive the guys out of the hole and get underneath them rather than just getting in front of the guy and kind of absorbing the block," he said."I'll do whatever it takes to be a part of the team. I loved last year, just being on the practice squad and being here. This year I want to do whatever it takes to get on the field."

"Sweats" Takes It Easy....Again.

Am I crazy? Am I? I just read the single craziest thing I've ever read as a Steeler fan. This is from steelerslive.com this morning:

Running back Duce Staley did not practice in the two-hour afternoon session. His absence was not injury related. Cowher said he decided to give Staley a rest.

WHAT? The other night Duce couldn't even get out of his own way. He may be my least favorite player right now....and I WANT to like him. I WANT him to want to carry the load. What the hell kind of team leader can sit out practice when he's healthy? If they are trying to prevent injury by not playing him, good luck. Duce could get hurt sneezing too hard. The only way I would accept Cowher giving uce a practice off is if it followed the following 1-way conversation: Bill C - "Duce, you don't look motivated. In fact, you look like shit out there. You want to play Bettis, you have to act like Bettis. Take the afternoon off and decide if you really want to play football for me. I'll expect an answer tomorrow."

Steelers Knocked Off Pedestal

Well, if the defending Super Bowl champs needed anything to get them going in camp, a good ass-kicking should do it. The Steelers got it handed to them by the Arizona Cardinals yesterday - even if the Cardinals kept their starters in longer than the Steelers. There weren't too many things that made me get excited. Big Ben did shake off a "would be" sacker and fired a bullet on the run for a completion. Brett Keisel made back-to-back plays that made me take notice and Santonio Holmes looked about where he should be for all the practice time he lost. What I didn't like far outweighed what I did like. Duce 'Sweatsuit' Staley continues to frustrate me. He looks tired, weak and slow to me when he runs. Where is the passion that he once had when it took 2-3 people to tackle him? I seriously think he needs to drop about 15 pounds. Duce needs to watch Rocky III and get "the eye of the tiger" back! Willie Reid did not impress me AT ALL as a punt returner. Let's hope last night was a lesson in catching the ball and they weren't really concerned with running it back. For all the hype I've heard about his return ability - I was disappointed. Also, the way Sean Morey plays special teams - Willie Reid better start to shine because being drafted by the Super Bowl champs in the 3rd round does not guarantee you a spot on the team. They will keep 6 receivers: Ward, Wilson, Holmes are locks. The other 3 are up for grabs. Nate Washington should make the team and I'd like to think Quincy Morgan will. That leaves one spot open with Lee Mays, Morey and Reid fighting for it. Number 28 is too small and doesn't like contact from what I saw. The drafted safety Smith sticks his head in and likes to pop people - he had a decent first game. There was a tight end who almost lost the ball after a catch and then dropped a perfect pass later in the game. He won't make the team. Boyd really really really needs to learn how to take something off the ball when he throws it or our receivers will have broken fingers! Willie Colon will make the team also. He's a bit of a project but he will turn out to be a player by year 3. I can't begin to say how disappointed I was in the pass defense. Kurt Warner made them look bad. He had plenty of time to throw also which is troubling. We'll shake the rust off - we did a lot of partying this off-season. I'm sure I'm forgetting other things I wanted to mention - but it is only the first preseason game. The point I want to stress is that it may better that they lost this game than to go out and win by 30. Time to get the heads out of the clouds and get back to basics.

Guess Who Didn't Run The Drills?

Doesn't Duce look good in a sweatsuit? He should get paid endorsements for wearing sweatsuits since that's all he does. The Steelers released the list of players that did NOT take part in the opening running drills that coach Cowher does every year on Day 1 to gauge the fitness level of his players. You would think at some point Duce would just man-up and do something...ANYTHING....to prove to this city and his teammates that he is tough enough to be the bruising back he was brought here to be. Doesn't he understand if gave 120% this city would adopt him and worship him? It's hard goddamn work getting paid that much money to sit in a tub of ice and hold coach Cowher's headset cables. Am I alone on this?

We Made A Move For Duckett

Reports are coming out that the Steelers tried to trade for TJ Duckett on draft day. I'm hoping we continue to monitor his situation in Atlanta as they drafted a back on the first day. Once camp starts, if their new back look sgood to them, TJ may be able to land in Da 'Burgh. Of course I contemplated this exact scenario a few months ago. I just don't trust Duce's health. I just don't. Here's what I thought a few months ago.........

Is LenDale White Our Next Bruiser?

At 6'1" 238 lbs, is LenDale White our next big back? While Willie Parker is the starter, White could easily get 10 touches this year and fill in for Bettis in short yardage situations and the occasional series. The thing is, do we need him? Well, if Duce stays healthy, no...but conventioanl wisdom says Duce won't stay healthy. Plus, we just resigned Verron Haynes. We have cap friendly contracts for both Staley and Haynes - not to mention Parker. If LenDale White is around when we pick at 32, Staley's health and how comfortable we are with it will be key. My personal opinion at this point is that Nick Mangold would look good in black and gold. My feelings are that if Chukki Okobi was ready to be our center of the future, he would be already. If he was ready to play, why can't he (in his prime years) beat out Jeff Hartings in his last year on bad knees? Our offense starts at the center position. We probably paid Okobi this year to be the backup. If Mangold is not drafted, I would think we'll go center #1 next year for sure. Anyway.....

Anderson - Lower Mileage Alternative?

Mike Anderson became a cap casualty today. I'm not suggesting the Steelers run out and pick him up. I'm just saying it's an interesting thought. He's 240. He's 6 feet tall. He runs hard. Staley is big and runs tough also - when he's healthy. I like Duce, I'm just afraid if we go into the season with 1 big back (Staley), he'll get hurt and take the big man option out of our ground attack. Anderson is around 2 years older than Duce, but he only has about 850 carries. Duce has 1700 touches including his 250 catches. There is a lot of tread left on Anderson's tires. Yes, he missed the entire 2004 season due to an injury - but that was his only significant injury. I would imagine if the cap goes up this year in the next 3 days we will just keep Duce for at least 1 more season. However, if the cap doesn't go up and Hartings refuses to renegotiate - we may be looking to gain salary back somewhere else. Don't be shocked if they switch #2 backs to save a few dollars and slightly upgrade the position.

Could Duckett be a better Bus than Duce?

It's an interesting thought isn't it? He's big. He's strong. He's not going to command huge dollars after Edge and Shaun Alexander get signed. He won't even command what Ahman Green will get if he gets released from Green Bay. The Steelers love big backs and Duce Staley isn't exactly Bus II. After Bam Morris and The Bus, TJ seems to fit the pants more so than Duce, who also can't seem to stay healthy. What would it take to get TJ in black and gold? Well, this is probably his last year in Atlanta as the 2007 season is voidable by TJ if he reaches certain goals in 2006 that seem easy to reach. His contract details were not disclosed, but his cap number appears to be around $1.1 million this year. If Atlanta can't get an extension done with him, or if they don't want to get one done - they may be willing to trade him rather than letting him play this year and walking in 2007. Remember, we didn't trade the world to get Bettis, maybe this could be the same type of situation. Duckett would have to be content with backing up Parker in the same manner that Jerome did - but the fans sure would embrace another wide body that can convert 3rd and 2's and TD's inside the 10. He only averaged 3.1 yards per carry this year (that would change with our line) so his stock is down.....way down. Keep an eye on this. With Duce's injury problems and his brush with trouble last month - it will be interesting to see how this pans out. If we keep Duce and he gets hurt in week 3, we may be sorry we didn't look into another big back with no health issues.

Staley Flip Flops - Why?

Much like changing into a sweatsuit before a game, Duce is now changing his statement about what happened in South Carolina earlier in the week. He originally said he was grabbed around the throat and lost a platinum bracelet worth 50 large and 2 diamond earings worth 25 large each during a fight in a strip club at 4:00 AM last Saturday. He is now saying there was an altercation in the club, but he wasn't directly involved in it. He is also saying he has his earings but did lose his bracelet. No charges have been filed and police are trying to get to the bottom of what really happened. Why on Earth would he lie in the first place, unless his second statement is the lie? My only thought is that in retrospect, he realizes that the Steelers don't put up with this kind of stuff and he's worried about his job. The Steelers would show confidence in Verron Haynes and draft another big back if Staley happened to be let go. Don't get me wrong, I've questioned Duce's toughness in the last 2 years, but if he gets serious and gives 100% - I'll back him like crazy. My wife was on a flight with Duce when he was still an Eagle and chit-chatted with him at the luggage pickup area. She didn't even know it was him! After he walked away another person asked her why she didn't get his autograph. She said he was a very nice guy. I want to give him a break, his father died between the Colts game and the Super Bowl and little mention was made of it in the press. Let's hope he shows up in camp determined to win over the fans in Pittsburgh. We're not hard to win over, and we will show loyalty when it's deserved. Let's hope Mr. Staley learned that from Mr. Bettis.

Staley Hurts Positioning With Steelers

Duce Staley reportedly lost $100,000 worth of jewelry at 4:00 AM in a fight at a gentlemen's club earlier this morning. In my opinion, Staley was already on the fence as far as making the team next year. He's already taken a boatload of money from the organization and has not produced much in return. Duce started out the 2004 season on fire before being injured before the Eagles game in week 7. He came back for a brief appearance in the playoffs but the team belonged to Bettis (again) by then. This year was much worse as Duce barely suited up. I was literally shocked to see him in uniform at the Super Bowl. I distinctly remember Bam Morris being arrested shortly after the Steelers appeared in Super Bowl XXX. He was caught with enough marijuana in his trunk to get an entire university high. He was summarily released by the Rooney's who do NOT put up with questionable characters who may bring disgrace to the franchise. If Plaxico were more like Hines Ward, he might still be a Steeler and own a Super Bowl ring. Ever since Joey Porter got shot (as a bystander) outside a bar in Colorado, Bill Cowher has preached responsibility to his players. He tells them to make the right choices and not put themselves in positions where they might get into trouble. He also tells them all the time to watch out for opportunistic types and distance themselves from troublemakers. Staley getting into a fight at a strip club did nothing to make his stock rise in the organization. I like Duce and I'd like to see him be able to fill Bettis' shoes next season, but his toughness and willingness to play hurt have always come into quesiton. Stay tuned. When he gets motivated, he is hard to tackle. I clearly remember him being a force in the Eagles NFC Championship game against Carolina a few years ago. It was taking 3-4 Panthers to tackle him every time he touched the ball. I haven't seen it yet in a black and gold uniform.