PHILADELPHIA, May 21 (UPI) -- Running back Duce Staley, who had a breakout season in 1998 and made veteran Charlie Garner expandable, today (Friday) signed a six-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. No financial terms were disclosed, and the last year of his original was torn up. The 24-year-old Staley, a second-round draft pick out of South Carolina in 1997, became the Eagles' starting running back last season and responded with big numbers. He gained 1,065 yards rushing, led the team in pass receptions with 57, touchdowns with six, and total yards from scrimmage with 1,497. For a month, the 5-11, 220-pounder also played courageously, suffering from the pain of hernia. At the end of the season, he was an overwhelming choice as the team's Most Valuable Player on offense. No Philadelphia running back had broken the 1,000-yard barrier since Wilbert Montgomery in 1981, and not since Herschel Walker in 1993 had an Eagle back had team-highs in rushing and receiving. Staley made the most of an opportunity when Garner struggled through the 1998 preseason and then suffered an ankle injury. Once Staley started playing regularly, Garner very rarely saw the light of day. He was released by new coach Andy Reid shortly after the April 17 draft.  