| Duce Staley signed a 5-year contract with the Steelers in March 2004. The UFA chose the Steelers over the Detroit Lions and said at the time of his signing that he had always rooted for the Steelers as a kid.
Staley was a third round draft pick (1997 - South Carolina) of Philadelphia in 1997 and had played for them all of his 6 NFL seasons up to his signing with Pittsburgh. Over his career there he rushed for 4,807 yards over 1,200 carries (4.0 average) and caught 275 passes for 2,498 yards.
At Philadelphia, Staley had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons (1998, 1999, 2002) and rushed for 987 yards in 2001. His career-best season rushing was 2002 with 1,273 yards, and his team voted him Offensive MVP. In 1999 he was a first alternate to the NFL Pro Bowl and an All-Madden Team selection. Staley earned a reputation with the Eagles as a tough player who could play with the pain and bounce back from injury.
Staley is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield and the Steelers obviously planned on him taking over the third-down RB role, as they released Amos Zereoue, who had the position in 2003, shortly after the signing.
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