Cornerback, Tampa
Bay Buccaneers
Age: 26
5th season
in pro football & with Buccaneers
College: Southern
California
Height: 5’11” Weight: 193
Prelude:
Kelly was
chosen by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 1998 NFL draft. He intercepted
one pass as a rookie and became part of a cornerback rotation with Ronde Barber
in 1999. The rotation continued in 2000, with Kelly primarily known for his
physicality at the position. Kelly moved into the starting job across from
Barber in 2001.
2002 Season Summary
Appeared in all
16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Interceptions –
8 [1, tied with Rod Woodson]
Most
interceptions, game – 2 vs. Green Bay 11/24, at Chicago 12/29
Int. return
yards – 68
Most int.
return yards, game – 31 (on 1 int.) vs. St. Louis 9/23, (on 2 int.) vs. Green
Bay 11/24
Int. TDs – 0
Sacks – 1
Fumble
recoveries – 0
Forced fumbles
– 1
Tackles – 57
Assists – 8
Postseason: 3 G
Interceptions –
0
TDs – 0
Buccaneers went
7-9 to finish third in the NFC South.
Aftermath:
Kelly suffered
a chest injury in 2003 and was limited to five games. He came back strong in
2004 and intercepted four passas and continued to distinguish himself with his
aggressive play. Following a 2005 season in which he was sidelined for most of
the schedule due to turf toe, Kelly came back for one more year with the Bucs
before departing to Detroit as a free agent. He appeared in 11 games in what
was his last pro season before being released. He intercepted 22 passes, all
with Tampa Bay,over the course of a solid career.
--
Highlighted Years features players who were consensus
first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the
following statistical categories:
Rushing: Yards,
TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards,
Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving:
Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs,
Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose:
Total Yards
Defense:
Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff
Returns: Average
Punt Returns:
Average
Punting:
Average
*Leagues
include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL
(1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)
**NFC/AFC since
1970
