Baltimore Beatdown Interviews Kelley Washington

The Baltimore Ravens picked up wide receiver Kelley Washington as a free agent this off season to add depth to an already thin receiving corps. Now with the injury to Mark Clayton, the opportunity has arose for Washington to make an impact on the team, as he is looking to become the #3 receiver behind Derrick Mason and Demetrius Williams. I got a couple of minutes of "face time" one-on-one with Kelly today after practice.

Beatdown:  Kelly, so with the injury to Mark Clayton, you're running with the first team.  You've got some experience in this league and you certainly have experience in the AFC North. How do you feel running with the first team?

Washington: Well, you know, it's just an opportunity. It's all a part of football, where guys get injured, they're out and other guys gotta step up and make plays. I'm just trying to get to the point where I can build some confidence with Joe, learn the offense and go out and make plays.

BB: Not a lot of offensive reps over the past years or so, but a lot of Special Teams play. Talk about how your Special Teams play has kept you in the game.

KW:  I mean, this is the "more-you-can-do" league. In New England I wasn't playing offense but I was doing great on Special Teams and that's a job too. There's plays to be made out there and that's what kept me going in the league and that's something I'd like to continue throughout my career because the more you can do....not everyone can be a #1 or a #2 wide receiver, so you need those type of guys who are going to give that type of effort, that 100% all the time effort out on the teams and you know, it's a very important part of the game, so I take pride in Special Teams.

BB: Obviously it's your first year with the team, but you seem real comfortable with this group of guys, rather outspoken, maybe even a little joker. Have you always been this way?

KW:  Yeah, I've always been that type of player. There's so much seriousness in the game, with meetings and coming out here at practice and assignments, you just need to liven up the practices and liven up the games and be an entertainer, do something different. I've always been that type of player and guys enjoy laughing and smiling out here.

BB: After being in the AFC North with Cincinnati and playing against this defense, what's it like to be out here practicing with guys like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed?

KW: It's good, I mean I've prepared to play against this defense for years, playing in Cincinnati and New England and week in and week out, you're always looking for key guys on that defense, such as Ray and Ed. So it's just good to know they're on your team and offenses need to prepare for them.

BB: Allright, thanks a lot.