It was a brilliant move by Cowher to keep Duce Staley around until week 13.

**BlackGold4vr** · 01-30-2007, 11:13 AM

He was on the active squad sucking up a roster spot for almost the entire season! I believe Bill kept him around as the concession stand runner in case he needed a drink or a hoagie during the game. Yo Duce, the tummy is a rumblin, make a munchies run! Something tells me that Tomlin won't refill the position of concession stand runner!

**BlitzburghRockCity** · 01-30-2007, 11:18 AM

You actually bring up a point that I was thinking about. Tomlin won't necessarily play any favorites because he has no allegiance to anyone right now since he's knew; but give it time and in the coming years with some of his draft picks that maybe don't pan out, or FA aquisitions, and see if he gets into a similar rut that cowher did with some of his guys that he liked and just couldn't part with. I hope not, but you never know.

**AZ_Steeler** · 01-30-2007, 11:32 AM

IMO... Duce was kept around because of how he handled himself during Jerome's last year. He was unselfish and put a fellow teammate first so I feel he was kept around as a sort of 'Thank you' from Cowher

**BlitzburghRockCity** · 01-30-2007, 11:37 AM

Very true, he was very much of a professional and an unselfish player. He conducted himself with dignity and pride and didn't ruffle any feathers. He got his super bowl and even dressed for the game if I remember right and then when he got injured again and Davenport stepped up he still complain so that does explain alot of the reasons he was still on the team. The problem is in this day and age with only a 53 man roster and a salary cap, you have to produce when it comes right down to it and he just didn't because he was always hurt.

I was a big Duce fan when we signed him, I was excited to see him because he ran hard and strong and dragged tacklers all over the place but it just wasn't meant to be.

**BlackGold4vr** · 01-30-2007, 11:46 AM

Its a business and the players bring a product to the table. When the product goes bad its time to go. There are not any extra roster spots! Thats why even when big stars get injured they quickly move them to the IR so they can bring up somebody else! You are either helping the train go faster or you are weighing it down! I know its a cruel world! Wouldn't you have liked to fill the concession stand chaser for what Duce was making? Even if its for the league minimum its still better than what most of us fans are making for working real jobs!

**big d** · 01-30-2007, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by TOP GUN

You actually bring up a point that I was thinking about. Tomlin won't necessarily play any favorites because he has no allegiance to anyone right now since he's knew; but give it time and in the coming years with some of his draft picks that maybe don't pan out, or FA aquisitions, and see if he gets into a similar rut that cowher did with some of his guys that he liked and just couldn't part with. I hope not, but you never know.

I agree. You almost have to wonder how loyal he will be to joey porter. Porter has a huge cap number this year. It will be interesting to see who makes the cut list.

**Captcoolhand** · 01-30-2007, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by AZ_Steeler

IMO... Duce was kept around because of how he handled himself during Jerome's last year. He was unselfish and put a fellow teammate first so I feel he was kept around as a sort of 'Thank you' from Cowher

What makes you think they kept him around

Maybe they just got tired of hearing him Bitch every week when he Didn't play

**SteelerSal** · 01-30-2007, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by TOP GUN

Very true, he was very much of a professional and an unselfish player. He conducted himself with dignity and pride and didn't ruffle any feathers.

Of course he was unselfish and did'nt ruffle feathers. He was milkin 3 million and not gettin his sweat suit dirty.
Boy I'd like to have his job.

**Koopa** · 01-30-2007, 05:05 PM

that just showed duce had no heart, it was cool and all for him last year, but this year he didn't even try......... he got his money and his ring and that's all he cared about..... i'm glad he's gone, i don't want him rubbing off on willie

**DIESELMAN** · 01-30-2007, 09:48 PM

I was wanting him gone in the preseason. The paycheck and the ring was thanks enough. I was happy as hell when we first signed him too but it didn't last long and he got hurt again. The NFL is a business and both sides should know that, when the time comes to not help the team anymore its time to go (its a shame it works like that but its reality).