PHILADELPHIA - The reverberation in the stands sounded like a typical Philly howl, only those weren't boos each time Duce Staley touched the ball. It was the drawn-out sound of his first name - Duuuuce!
That appreciative noise came a lot less often last season when Staley was the least used in Philadelphia's three-running back attack. It was a disheartening end of a seven-year stint with the Eagles for Staley, who signed in the offseason as a free agent with Pittsburgh to bolster the league's second-worst rushing offense.
Staley gets to play against his former team for the first time when Philadelphia hosts the Steelers today.
"I'm looking forward to the game, and I have a lot of friends over there," Staley said. "I spent a lot of years in Philadelphia, all good years, and I'm looking forward to going back."
Though Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher hasn't named a starter yet, it appears Staley has earned the nod over Jerome Bettis. Staley ran 11 times for 45 yards in his first preseason game but had only five yards on two carries in the next one.
BILLS: Rookie quarterback J.P. Losman will have surgery today to repair the left leg he broke in practice. Coach Mike Mularkey said he anticipates Losman will be back at some point this season, but won't know when until after the operation. Losman, the second of Buffalo's two first-round picks, broke his fibula two hours into Wednesday's practice when he fell awkwardly at the end of a run after being hit.
DOLPHINS: Offensive tackle Damion McIntosh worked out for a second consecutive day, giving coaches hope he will be able to contribute early this season. McIntosh, who has missed all of training camp with an ankle injury, is scheduled to be evaluated by a doctor this weekend, but there is no specific date for his return. The Dolphins felt so strongly about McIntosh's ability that they gave the fifth-year veteran a six-year contract during the offseason.
PATRIOTS: Dan Klecko entered the NFL hoping to follow his father as a top defensive lineman. Instead, he's emulating teammate Tedy Bruschi, who made a successful transition from college lineman to NFL linebacker. Klecko is doing well at inside linebacker, learning to read defenses and adjusting to covering receivers in his second pro season. "There's stuff I'm still seeing that I've never seen before from back there," he said.
RAIDERS: Robert Gallery has been touted since draft day as Oakland's left tackle of the future. For now, the Raiders also are interested in seeing how their No. 2 overall pick handles himself inside at left guard. Gallery has been getting reps at both positions this week and will get time at each spot Saturday when the Raiders play their third exhibition game at Arizona.
TITANS: Cornerback Samari Rolle and defensive tackle James Atkins returned to practice after missing the past two weeks with injuries, but it wasn't all good news for the injury list. Receiver Jake Schifino, the leading candidate to return kickoffs this season, was sent for an MRI to check out a problem with his hamstring, hip and lower back.
