vpkozel
Professional Calvinballer
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2003
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Anyone want to bet he gets hurt. Seems to happen all the time when a guy holds out through camp. To blatantly rip off the Sports Guy from ESPN - I wish I could buy stock in stuff like this.
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Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- Duce Staley returned to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, choosing to end his 26-day holdout without the contract extension he was seeking.
"I'm not afraid to say that I was stubborn,'' Staley said on his first day of practice. "It's behind us. It's over. It's squashed. It's time to move on and bring something new to the city -- hopefully that's a ring -- and stay positive.''
Staley, in the final year of a contract that will pay him $2.2 million this season, held out to try to pressure the Eagles to give him an extension.
The Eagles have a pair of young running backs in Correll Buckhalter and Brian Westbrook and made it obvious that they weren't prepared to make a long-term commitment to Staley, a fan favorite.
Staley and his agent, Derrick Harrison, met with coach Andy Reid at least twice last week and again when Staley arrived in Philadelphia on Saturday.
"It started with communication,'' Staley said. "I had a chance to sit down and talk and he let me know where I stood and where I stand. That's all I ever wanted. I want to be here, there's no doubt about it. I'm looking forward to getting an opportunity to get a contract extension.''
Neither Staley nor Reid revealed what was discussed in their meetings.
"We feel good going forward, both sides,'' Reid said. "It's important Duce has the time to get himself back into football shape. We're going to ease him into playing shape and good things will happen.''
Staley rushed for 1,029 yards and five touchdowns last year and had 541 yards and three touchdowns receiving. He stayed away from the team's voluntary minicamp in June along with cornerback Bobby Taylor, who is also seeking a contract extension.
Taylor, however, reported to training camp on time.
"I think guys have respect for each player's individual circumstances,'' Taylor said. "I'm happy he's here now and hopefully he can get all the questions answered and move on and play football.''
While Staley held out, the team gave wide receiver Todd Pinkston a six-year extension.
Earlier this month, Staley released a statement criticizing Eagles management for not "seriously'' discussing his future with the team.
"I really wanted to come back in and get back with my teammates,'' Staley said Sunday, after practicing with the second-team offense. "I really wanted to come back and be with the fans and let them know I still want to play. I still want to be here.''
------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- Duce Staley returned to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, choosing to end his 26-day holdout without the contract extension he was seeking.
"I'm not afraid to say that I was stubborn,'' Staley said on his first day of practice. "It's behind us. It's over. It's squashed. It's time to move on and bring something new to the city -- hopefully that's a ring -- and stay positive.''
Staley, in the final year of a contract that will pay him $2.2 million this season, held out to try to pressure the Eagles to give him an extension.
The Eagles have a pair of young running backs in Correll Buckhalter and Brian Westbrook and made it obvious that they weren't prepared to make a long-term commitment to Staley, a fan favorite.
Staley and his agent, Derrick Harrison, met with coach Andy Reid at least twice last week and again when Staley arrived in Philadelphia on Saturday.
"It started with communication,'' Staley said. "I had a chance to sit down and talk and he let me know where I stood and where I stand. That's all I ever wanted. I want to be here, there's no doubt about it. I'm looking forward to getting an opportunity to get a contract extension.''
Neither Staley nor Reid revealed what was discussed in their meetings.
"We feel good going forward, both sides,'' Reid said. "It's important Duce has the time to get himself back into football shape. We're going to ease him into playing shape and good things will happen.''
Staley rushed for 1,029 yards and five touchdowns last year and had 541 yards and three touchdowns receiving. He stayed away from the team's voluntary minicamp in June along with cornerback Bobby Taylor, who is also seeking a contract extension.
Taylor, however, reported to training camp on time.
"I think guys have respect for each player's individual circumstances,'' Taylor said. "I'm happy he's here now and hopefully he can get all the questions answered and move on and play football.''
While Staley held out, the team gave wide receiver Todd Pinkston a six-year extension.
Earlier this month, Staley released a statement criticizing Eagles management for not "seriously'' discussing his future with the team.
"I really wanted to come back in and get back with my teammates,'' Staley said Sunday, after practicing with the second-team offense. "I really wanted to come back and be with the fans and let them know I still want to play. I still want to be here.''
