Friday, August 27, 2004
Staley gets win in return to Philly
But rookie Parker is Steelers' star
By Rob Maaddi
The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA - Duce Staley ran into the end zone, went straight to the stands and handed the football to young boy wearing a Donovan McNabb jersey.
Just one problem: Staley plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers now.
Staley ran for 37 yards and one touchdown in limited action against his former team, leading the Steelers to a 27-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason game Thursday night.
Reserve Willie Parker ran for 106 yards and one touchdown, and Dante Brown also had a TD run for the Steelers.
Reno Mahe ran for a score and L.J. Smith and Greg Lewis had TD catches for the Eagles, who lost two more starters - linebacker Nate Wayne and left guard Jermane Mayberry - to injuries.
A three-time 1,000-yard rusher in seven seasons in Philadelphia, Staley showed the Eagles what they're missing. He ran six times for 33 yards on the opening drive, capping it with a 14-yard TD run.
Philadelphia didn't make a strong push to retain Staley, a fan favorite who again heard the familiar chants of "Duuuuce!" each time he touched the ball. But the Eagles could use him now after losing Correll Buckhalter to a season-ending knee injury last week.
After Jeff Blake connected with Lewis on a 14-yard TD pass to give the Eagles a 21-17 lead, the Steelers went ahead on Parker's 3-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter.
Parker, an undrafted rookie from North Carolina, perhaps earned himself a roster spot with his performance.
Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, the No. 11 pick in this year's draft out of Miami University, was sacked on his first play and finished 7-of-11 for 74 yards and one interception. Starter Tommy Maddox was 4-of-6 for 53 yards.
Terrell Owens, the Eagles' biggest offseason acquisition, didn't have a catch. His 41-yard TD reception in the first quarter was negated by a holding penalty on Tra Thomas. He later dropped a pass that hit him in the chest.
McNabb was 8-of-19 for 105 yards and one TD. Blake was 6-of-7 for 63 yards and one TD.
PREP SPORTS
Rebels come roaring back
Can Colerain-Elder live up to the hype?
'Mental mistakes' hurt Colonels in loss to La Salle
Can NewCath's walk match talk?
Ohio weekend preview
Kentucky weekend preview
Week 1 picks for Ohio
Week 2 picks for Kentucky
BENGALS / NFL
New turf holds up as linemen break down
Warrick joins in drills for receivers
It's showtime for Rivers
Colts' sideline getting crowded
Staley gets win in return to Philly
Williams' travel plans don't include Miami
Shaun, Rudi better RB bets than Corey
REDS / BASEBALL
Cards go out with whimper
Riedling can't explain 2nd-half slump
Expos have lost Vidro to season-ending surgery
Rangers win, equal 2003 victory total
Giants win to stay on heels of Cubs
Thousand Oaks wins 3-1, advances
OLYMPICS
Fantastic finish for Team USA
Daugherty: Mitts' road is open, thanks to '91ers
Loveland's Jasontek confident of medal
Sweep of the 200 meters caps an all-American day
U.S. gold-medal hopes carried by Ward, Dirrell
Pressure builds as team faces Russia
U.S. wins water polo bronze vs. Australia
USOC asks Bush to abandon Olympic ads
• Olympics special section
• Olympics photo gallery, multimedia
COLLEGE SPORTS
College football preview section
No-frills coach
New day dawns for Huggins, Bearcats
Bearcats await Huggins' return
UC schedule features competitive home games
THIS WEEK'S SPORTS POLL
• Which college football team will have the best record this season?
MORE SPORTS HEADLINES
Bertuzzi has plea of not guilty in assault case
Earnhardt wins pole for Bristol Busch race
Bristol's lights will shine even brighter
NCAA rules Trojans WR Williams can't return
Zwick nudges Smith in QB competition
Sports today on TV, radio
Return to Bengals front page...
