Fantasy Football Challenge - Football Fanatics Articles Archive

Enclosed in this archive is every bit of the action and updates that occurred in November 2003 within the world of fantasy football. You may want to read these articles for research on players in the coming year, or just check to see if we were way off base with our reporting. Whatever the reason, it's all here for your enjoyment.

Fantasy Football Challenge - November 2003 Fantasy Football Articles

Fantasy Football Challenge - November 2003 Article Archives

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eight touchdowns. He averaged more yards per catch than any other running back in the NFL.

But that was then and this is now.

Now, Staley is playing out the string on what is almost certainly expected to be his final season with the Eagles. He will become an unrestricted free agent in March and the club hasnt shown a whole lot of interest in re-signing him. Especially after he infuriated them this summer by staging a 25-day training camp holdout.

As the Sports XChange put it: "Reid doesnt like players who attempt to hold him hostage."

When the season started, he pretty much pretended Staley already was gone. He was the clubs third running back behind Buckhalter and Westbrook.

But as the season hits the critical months of November and December, Staley is starting to become an offensive factor again for the Eagles.

With Buckhalter nursing a rib injury and Westbrook playing on a still-tender sprained ankle, Staley collected 98 rushing and receiving yards in Monday nights important win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

"Nobody showed greater leadership than Duce out there," Reid said.

Reid admitted that Staleys training camp holdout was a big reason why he didnt play a lot early on this season. But not because the coach was holding a grudge.

"I think Duce would be the first to tell you this: it took him a little bit to get back into the swing of things as far as the football part of it goes," Reid said. "Duce is a very tough individual. That carries over to other people. Hes also a strong personality amongst his teammates and peers. That stepped up another notch Monday night."

When theyre healthy, both Buckhalter and Westbrook are better runners than Staley, who doesnt have Buckhalters power or Westbrooks speed. But Staley is one of the leagues best pass-catching backs, and it was puzzling why Reid didnt make better use of him in that role in the first half of the season.

He had seven catches in a 17-0 Week One loss to Tampa Bay, then caught just 10 more passes in the next six games, even though one of them was an impressive 52-yard touchdown

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