Yardbarker: Duce Staley

Today in Philly Sports History: McNabb's First Start as an Eagle, 1999

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0500

After six weeks with Doug Pederson behind the controls, rookie coach Andy Reid decided it was time to move forward with the young man they selected with the third pick in the 1999 draft at the helm. Donovan McNabb had seen action before as an Eagle, mostly late in the second half of losses (the Eagles were not a particularly, uh, good team that season), but on November 14th, he finally got his first start, in a home game against the division rival Washington Redskins. Donny had a pretty forg...

So We Meet Again...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:19:56 -0500

We said an awful lot about the Bungholes yesterday. Game by game, we attempted to expose them for the Bengals they really are - the same old Bengals we've come to know and love.Are they really?Who knows. The only thing we can say for certain is that they've only won one game this season by more than 10 points, and that was against the Bears and interception machine, Jay Cutler (he threw three in that game)...We don't know how you beat the Steelers either, buddy.But if we've le...

the watchtower: Lions vs. Vikings

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:04:00 -0500

In last week’s Watchtower, we matched up the historical OC vs. DC tendencies to see if there were any schematic mismatches—that is, if either team had a systemic advantage over the other. Looking over the history, and the presumed talent levels of each team, we came to a conclusion: the most probable outcome of the game was a shootout that the Lions lose. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened--though some of the Lions’ scoring contributions relied heavily on special teams providing great...

Eagles Mean Business

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:58:18 -0500

The following guest post comes from Level regular GreggyD.Fans all over the city have been ripping their hair, eyes, and whatever else out since free agency has started and have been bickering back and forth about how this organization doesn’t care about the players who have given them so much (i.e., Dawkins, Tra Thomas, etc). Well, in today’s Daily News, Les Bowen has a piece focusing on the recently departed tackle who seems some...

Sadness

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:42:56 -0500

According to a league source, after 13 seasons with the Eagles, Brian Dawkins has signed signed with the Denver Broncos. Commenter BadMotherFutley uncovers this story where the original source says the deal is NOT done.Say it ain't so.

New Millenium Eagles Facts

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 23:06:47 -0500

Random Eagles facts for the new millenium and maybe a little before.

Last Minute News and Notes

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:09:39 -0500

A few final tidbits before the Sunday 3pm kickoff: Andy Reid has talked to Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. I have no idea what they talked about, but hopefully some of Manuel?s luck rubbed off on Reid. One of my favorite Eagles, Duce Staley, will be honorary captain for the Birds Sunday. It will be nice to see [...]

Eagles-Vikings Live Blogging: Thid Quarter Goodness

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:15:26 -0500

> Akers kicks off to start the second half to the strains of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" -- what, Minny, no Replacements or Prince? -- and Kyle Eckel makes a nic stop to start Minny at the 15. Kleinsasser gets loose on a play action bootleg for 16. AP is stopped for no gain on first. A toss ...

WELCOME BACK, NAJEH

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:19:34 -0500

As expected, the Steelers brought back RB Najeh Davenport today, and they will also add RB Gary Russell back to the active roster after a stint on the practice squad. If any more running backs are injured, I'm guessing Duce Staley's number is next on the call-back list. Davenport played two seasons in Pittsburgh, rushing for 499 yards on 107 carries (4.7 YPC) and adding five touchdowns in 2007. He was released due to the presence of new additions Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall...

The Rivalry That Is The Philadelphia Eagles vs. The Dallas Cowboys: Through My Eyes

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:03:56 -0500

Tonight marks the Philadelphia Eagles?final visit to Texas Stadium (barring a playoff match up), the site of many great battles between the Birds and the 'Boys. With both team's sights locked on Tampa in?February, this early season battle will add another chapter to one of the NFL's most bitter rivalries.

Andrews' status still a question mark

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:20:00 -0500

Shawn Andrews has arrived. The 6?4?, 330 pound ("Yeah, in your bra"?thank you Liar, Liar) guard from Arkansas is in Lehigh. In his absence, the rumors have been circulating for the last few weeks ranging from the dreaded contract dispute to (are you ready for this one?) not wanting to practice in the God-awful heat and humidity at camp. No, you don't say! Wait, let me get this straight- a morbidly obese offensive lineman doesn't want to practice in two-a-days? Holy Jeepers, Batman! Oh, not to worry. Andrews finally reported on Sunday after a two week sabbatical. His timing couldn't have been any worse having reported to camp just 48 hours before the release of Madden 2009. Way to think that one through, Shawn. So after all of the guessing and gossiping, Andrews finally spilled his guts to the local media citing depression as the reason for his absence. Well, that's a pretty legit excuse. No harm, no foul. Mental issues are totally off-limits as far as bashing a player go. His timing and lack of communication on the other hand are worth questioning. So what do the Eagles do? The timeline for Andrews' return to the actual playing field, in a full-time capacity, and to real game action are both unknown. I believe, like many others, that Andrews will be ready for the start of the regular season barring any more setbacks. The contingency plan, though, is pretty solid. During this time, the Eagles have inserted Max Jean-Giles, the 2006 draft pick from the Georgia Bulldogs, in Andrews' place. After the first preseason game, the Eagles should be pleased with the performance of Jean-Giles, another Andrews-like behemoth whose never met a Tastykake he didn't like. Throughout the game, the Eagles Television Network highlighted Jean-Giles and much to my delight, he performed like a veteran and helped the Eagles first team offense post a 10 spot on the Steelers' talented defense in just two quarters of play. He did this, mind you, versus the 3-4 defenses that the Eagles offenses usually struggle against mightily. Despite Jean-Giles early success, let's hope Andrews returns to the field soon and is "healed" by the first game against the St. Louis Rams. It is never easy to replace a Pro Bowl player like Andrews, but Jean-Giles is waiting in the wings. If nothing else, this could prove to be a blessing in disguise when your 2010 offensive line could include Andrews and Jean-Giles working alongside each other at tackle and guard respectively. Hold outs or otherwise camp absentees of the past have opened the doors for others. Remember back to 2003?Duce Staley held out of camp and this opened the door for Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter to get more reps. Move the clock forward five years and both Westbrook and Buckhalter are thriving while Duce is long retired after a disappointing end to his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Let's hope that Jean-Giles, like Westbrook and Buckhalter, has not taken any rep lightly and will translate this experience into a career of Andrews-like Pro Bowl appearances.

Pittsburgh Steelers (Nice Pick Cowher)

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:31:27 -0500

Team MVP: QB Ben Roethlisberger had statistically his best season as a pro last year, vaulting him into elite quarterback status, even though many ignorant sportswriters continue to rank him behind clearly inferior schlubs like Carson Palmer or Matt Hasselbeck. This season, the offense has been upgraded with the additions of RB Rashard Mendenhall and, most importantly, big ass WR Limas Sweed. The offensive line is a giant question mark, but if the Steelers are going to do anything this season...

Duce Staley Retirement Party

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:36:35 -0500

Duce Staley having number retired as an Eagle "Former Eagle fan favorite Duce Staley will be in town this week and is retiring an Eagle. You may have thought Duuuce retired a year or so ago... I did too. According to this party invite, somebody thinks Duce is getting his number retired. The Duce Is Loose one last time as he is getting his #22 jersey retired at half time of the Eagles/Giants game; then that night it's a celebration of his career."

Najeh Davenport: TD Vulture

Sun, 17 Sep 2006 03:43:40 -0500

The guy who dropped a deuce in a closet is now the defending Super Bowl Champs short-yardage back. People once thought this guy was going to be a star in Green Bay. But injuries have derailed his career. Let's see how he does replacing "The Bus." Fantasy owners in need of a running back, keep an eye on him Monday night and be ready to pounce.