Well-received in debut

TAMPA -- At the University of Tennessee, Kelley Washington once dubbed himself "The Future," but his future with the Patriots has appeared tenuous during training camp, considering the logjam at wide receiver.

But Washington helped his chances with his play in the Patriots' 13-10 preseason-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Friday night at Raymond James Stadium. With Randy Moss and Donte' Stallworth no-goes for the game, Washington seized the opportunity, playing a key role in New England's only touchdown drive.

During the Matt Cassel-led march, Washington caught two balls for 23 yards -- his totals for the game -- and beat Pro Bowl corner Ronde Barber.

It was the first game action since last October for the 6-foot-3-inch, 215-pound Washington, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Washington played in five games last year before a hamstring injury forced him to end the season on injured reserve.

"It was just good to get back on the field again," said the 27-year-old receiver. "I spent last year on IR and they brought me in here to be a big physical presence. It's good to be out there with these guys and to put what we perform in training camp out there onto the field."

Washington's combination of size and athleticism -- he played minor league baseball in the Florida Marlins organization, rooming with current Red Sox ace Josh Beckett -- makes him tough for defensive backs to handle when he's healthy and focused.

Just ask Barber, a four-time Pro Bowler.

On the second play of the Patriots' third possession, Cassel fired a curl route to Washington, who hauled it in, stopped on a dime, and turned upfield, leaving Barber in his wake for a 12-yard gain.

It was an eye-opening play from a receiver many have predetermined will have to turn in his playbook at the end of training camp.

"I've played against Ronde several times. It was just man coverage and I was able to get open," said Washington. "That's my job, so I really don't rant and rave over it. That's what we get paid to do.

"It's good to see that we work on it so much in practice and we can actually perform it in the game."

Three plays before Sammy Morris's 2-yard TD run, Washington collected an 11-yard reception over the middle for another first down.

"We threw a few balls and he did a great job of getting the ball up the field, and hopefully that continues," said Cassel.

The role of Washington, who has career totals of 72 catches for 893 yards and nine touchdowns in 44 games, changed when the Patriots pulled off a draft-day deal for Moss. There probably wasn't room on the roster for two freakishly athletic but injury-prone wideouts, not with Wes Welker and Stallworth joining the fray, plus the return of playoff starters Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney, and Troy Brown's decision to postpone retirement.

But of that group, only Welker, Caldwell, and Gaffney played against Tampa Bay.

"I think with those guys being out, a lot of our receiving corps is getting a lot of opportunities," said Washington. "It's just [time] to go out there and make some plays and help the team."

Washington still faces an uphill battle for a roster spot, and a few catches in the first preseason game do not mean much in the grand scheme of things. They're just a start.

"It's just basically a warmup," said Washington. "That's what the preseason is about, get the rust out and see where we're at as individuals and as a team. We got a lot of things to work on."