August 28, 2017

Highlighted Year: Brian Kelly, 2002

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.


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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

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