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Eagles Give RB PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The Philadelphia Eagles showed their faith in running back Duce Staley when they opted not to select Ricky Williams and Edgerrin James in last month's NFL draft. Friday, they solidified the commitment by giving Staley a new six-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Staley will reportedly receive more than $15 million. The 24-year-old Staley, who was eligible to become a restricted free agent after the 1999 season, emerged as the team's feature back last year when he rushed for 1,065 yards. With the second overall pick in the April draft, the Eagles had a chance to select either Williams or James, but elected to keep Staley as their workhorse back and used the pick on Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb. After Ricky Watters left for Seattle as a free agent and Charlie Garner began the 1998 campaign with ankle problems, Staley took over as the starter in just his second NFL season and led the Eagles in rushing, receptions (57), total yards from scrimmage (1,497) and touchdowns (6). A third-round pick of the Eagles out of South Carolina in 1997, Staley became the Eagles' primary kick returner as a rookie, finishing with a 24.2-yard kickoff return average. He had just seven carries for 29 yards.
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2001 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PHOTOS ON THE ABOVE HEADER TAKEN BY TEAM
NEST OF DEATH
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