BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens made it official Monday, signing unrestricted free agent Kelley Washington to a one-year contract to bolster their receiving corps.
A six-year NFL veteran from the University of Tennessee who spent the past two seasons with the New England Patriots, Washington was a 2003 third-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. He has 73 catches for 896 yards and nine touchdowns during his career.
“Kelley is a professional who’s been in this system and has had hard coaching,” Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson said Monday. Jackson coached Washington in Cincinnati.
“I know (wide receivers) coach (Jim) Hostler will take him to a whole different level. I also think Kelley is good for our guys in that he knows what to expect, and he’s willing to do everything it takes for our team to succeed.”
The team had reached an agreement with Washington last week.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 26
easleychuck writes:
A ghost from the past who never quite got over the hump. The arm waving when he made a first down in the pros was weak.
golfballs03 writes:
The Future?
rockytopron writes:
Let's see 6 years equals about 12 catches, 150 yards and a touchdown per year. I'm sure the world Champion Steelers will still be sleeping ok after hearing this grand news.
MidTennVol writes:
One of the true I'd-rather-forget-about-him former Vols.
But, IMO, he never was a Volunteer. All about him, never about the team.
The Future is almost past. Good riddance.
CoverOrange writes:
I know a lot of people say that, but, having never met the guy or anyone that actually knows him, and since GVX didn't exist back then, on what basis do people draw that charge?
NeylandWest writes:
Were you around for any of his comments? You know, the ones where he called himself the future, etc?
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
Did we sign "this former MLB prospect/minor league pitcher to be a QB", or is he a walk on? There's a huge difference between signing someone and them walking on.
Vol_4_Life writes:
This was news...if you want to call it that, over a week ago. Lets get with the program here. Its not like this is a busy time of year
Laydbakvol writes:
Proof that you should put up the numbers first. Then you can boast all you want. KW didn't get that memo.
Volunatic writes:
I was embarrassed for the guy when he would do that squirrel dance thing when he got TD's for the Bengals, because he didn't seem to realize he should be embarrassed for himself.
Volunatic writes:
He gave up a lot of money and guaranteed 1st-round draft pick status in order to come back to Tennessee for a second season. When he decided to come back, the vast majority of Vol fans were happy, because with Donte Stallworth's departure the Vols were looking pretty thin at WR.
He got BADLY injured, and ended up being a 3rd-rounder, losing $$$ millions as a result. A lot of Vol fans seem to hold that injury against him. Neck injuries are serious, especially ones like his where the vertebrae need to be surgically fused.
utvols420 writes:
no steve hamer?
Ironcity writes:
Wow. You guys can't get past this. What did Washington do for UT that was so bad? Did he take a scholly from some body? No, he was a walk on, an added player to the roster. Did he not play hurt? He did play hurt in fact he played with a torn up knee until he broke his neck for UT. Also even with the bad knee he was by far the best player on the field. Did he stay an extra year when he could have been a first round pick? Yes and I am sure he regrets that to this day. Did he play hard all the time? Yes, ask any player on the team. Did he work out more then the other guys? Yes, he brought a professional attitude to his job. Did he talk a lot? Yes and clearly this has left many fans damaged. Was he able to make Banks and or that other back up stiff better then they were? No, like Crompton you can't make a lemon lemonade all the time.
Was he the best player and student we ever had? No, but I could rattle off 50 players who were far worse in attitude and damage they inflicted on the program.
baldfan writes:
Witch Dr. is right. Plus, he turned down a great offer from the Titans to get a ring with the (cheating) Patriots. Too bad!
Bigger_Al writes:
I agree with you. My favorite Kelly Washington moment was in the 2001 Alabama game when he physically abused a Crimson Tide DB while blocking for a running play. The TV replay showed it a couple of times. Kelly was the man whooping up on a poor little Alabama player.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Great doldrums article. Better than most.
FLVol writes:
What's wrong with you people? He's a former Vol and still making a living in the NFL making at least a million a year which is must better than most of us. So I wish him well. He might have made a few mistakes at UT but we're all human. Give the guy a break for crying out loud.
vol_chaz writes:
I understand the history with this guy....But, i'll never forget going to South Bend with marc_ash, watching him tear up the fighting irish..Sweet revenge that day...We rode that horse to victory....and sang rocky top well after the game was over....
txvolsfan writes:
How many teams has he destroyed now?
CoverOrange writes:
Yeah, I read that, that is one statement. I also heard he was all business when it came to practice and weight training unlike some of the other kids there.
He may have had a pro mentality before he was playing in the pros. Developed from his days in minor league baseball. Something the other, younger players couldn't relate to.
Have to admit, never understood "the Future" moniker either.
give_him_6 writes:
The "Future"??? More like the "Ghost of A Giant Ego Past" !! He was truly a legend in his own mind!!!!
give_him_6 writes:
Well of course we all are entitled to our opinions. Yeah what he did was "awful". In that he totally destroyed the team from within...ala T.O. He not only hurt the team that year but the residue was all over the team the next year too. What a cancer for a team. He's just not not that big for britches now!! But as you say sir...he was a D-1 and he did play in some games and he did play in some pro games. Hang on..the earth is moving back in to place now. YAWN!
give_him_6 writes:
I'm not disputing your opinion. My opinion was he had one really good year. But his all about me attitude was contagious on a team where most of the players were good as a team group. But we just didn't have that many "superstar stand alone" guys. His attitude and me first way of thinking was a deterement to the team approach. and it worked against us for the next few years as the players who were there after Kelley left were thinking it was all about them. That kind of attitude is bad for a team sport. It's fine for a track and field guy or a swimmer or tennis player. The sun does rise and set with you in those sports. If you have that approach in a team game like football or basketball, you are really liked much. I have nothing wrong with showing emotion and that stuff. I like it and think the NCAA has gone to far. But as far as your "white south" comment, not really sure why you are playing a race card...in ANY part of the country..I'm pretty sure that cell phones during a half time or after during coaches team talks don't fly. That's some of the things Kelley was all about. HIMSELF. And I go along with you and agree..he played some good ball here, better than many before and after.
old_number1 writes:
Does anybody know were I can find his stats while at U.T.?
old_number1 writes:
Thanks. That's what I remembered. Big mouth, but backed it up! Anyone who sticks in the nfl for 6 years is definitely legit!!
mlynn1 writes:
I agree with you give_him_6, in my opinion that's where the non-disipline in Fulmer era began. Also I heard from reliable source back when it happened that his neck got messed up when Jason Witten put him in a locker for running his mouth, not in a game.
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