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Steelers sign dookie


Kazkal

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STEELERS TAKE A DOOKIE

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran running back Najeh "Dookie" Davenport to a one-year deal for the minimum salary.

To make room for Davenport, the Steelers waived running back Patrick Cobbs.

Though Steelers.com says that the team claimed Cobbs off of waivers from the Patriots, it was reported at the time that the Steelers traded an undisclosed draft pick to New England for Cobbs, who was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent.

If healthy, Davenport could step into the short-yardage role vacated by Jerome Bettis. Although Willie Parker got the call on a fourth-and-short run last night, Verron Haynes was on the field as the tailback when Charlie Batch fumbled at the goal line. (Kudos to Paul Charchian of Fanball.com for noticing that one.)

Davenport earned his nickname after being arrested for defecating in the closet of a dorm room, while a female resident was sleeping. He was released by the Packers last week. By signing him after their first game of the season, the Steelers avoid responsibility for Davenport's entire salary, if they choose to release him.

He'll be entitled to 25 percent of his salary as termination pay if cut before the eighth regular season game. After the eighth regular season game, Davenport will be owed only one week's salary if cut.

The decision to go with Davenport over Cobbs is puzzling, given that the third and fourth guys on the tailback depth chart ordinarily would be expected to participate in special teams. It seems unlikely that either Davenport or Staley will be covering punts and kickoffs.

Bottom line -- it's a low-risk attempt to find a way to keep Willie Parker's touches lower than 32 per game. Various league insiders believe Parker won't hold up over the course of a full 16-game season, and if he has the same workload every week that he had on Thursday night, we agree.

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