Bucs, Kelly come to an agreement

The cornerback took over for Donnie Abraham midway through the 2001 season.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer

CLARIFICATION (3/20/02): Brian Kelly signed a six-year, $15-million deal with the Bucs, including a $2.3-million signing bonus.

© St. Petersburg Times
published March 19, 2002

TAMPA -- Three days after saying goodbye to cornerback Donnie Abraham, the franchise's all-time leading interceptor, the Bucs have agreed to terms with his replacement.

Free-agent cornerback Brian Kelly, who took over for Abraham in the starting lineup five games into last season, will sign a six-year deal worth about $2-million annually as early as today. Kelly, a 1998 second-round pick out of Southern California, was the team's nickel back for the first three seasons of his career.

Kelly (5 feet 11, 193 pounds) has recorded 141 tackles and three interceptions in four seasons.

Kelly's return to the Bucs completes a whirlwind year for the 26-year-old California native. After an open-field tackle of Emmitt Smith on the 1-yard line in the opener, Kelly seemed primed to have a breakout season. He moved into the starting lineup on Oct. 28 against the Vikings.

Kelly finished the season with 54 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, eight passes defensed and zero interceptions.

Abraham, however, continued to put up significant numbers despite coming off the bench. He finished with six interceptions, bringing his career total to a franchise record 31 (in six years), 17 passes defensed, 45 tackles and one fumble recovery.

Last week, the Bucs brought in Steelers cornerback DeShea Townsend and Cardinals corner/safety Corey Chavous to be prepared to fill the void at cornerback. Despite Kelly's signing, the Bucs still are looking.

"It doesn't mean they no longer have an interest in DeShea," Townsend's agent Allan Wade said. "They told me that they wanted to take care of Brian first and then turn their attention to one more cornerback."

The Bucs also began looking for help at running back with the visit of Rams free agent Robert Holcombe (5-10, 220) Monday. Playing behind Marshall Faulk and Trung Canidate, Holcombe finished with 42 yards on 13 carries with one touchdown in 2001. He has 636 yards on 210 carries with 10 touchdowns in four seasons in the league.

The Bucs also seek to improve at wide receiver. Lions free agent Germaine Crowell (6-3, 216) visited One Buc Place last weekend and teammate Johnnie Morton (6-0, 190) is scheduled to arrive this week.

Also, the Bucs signed free-gent tight end Marco Battaglia (6-3, 242). The sixth-year veteran out of Rutgers agreed to a three-year, $3-million deal and will compete with Todd Yoder for the starting position. Battaglia is considered a blocking tight end, but agent Jerrold Colton cited his client's success as a receiver at Rutgers and said he should flourish in Jon Gruden's system.

"Marco feels he can be both a blocking and pass-catching tight end and is a perfect match for their system," Colton said. "He's got speed and great hands."

Battaglia, who has 71 career receptions, missed the second half of last season after an appendectomy landed him on the injured reserve Nov. 17. He had 13 catches for 118 yards for the Bengals before being released in December and signing with the Redskins.