Titans agree to terms with WR Washington, DT Haye

! Former Steelers WR Nate Washington is expected to start alongside Justin Gage for the Titans in 2009.

NASHVILLE, TN, March 2, 2009 – The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms with WR Nate Washington and DT Jovan Haye. Washington joins the Titans after spending four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Haye spent the last two-plus seasons in Tampa Bay.

"We targeted both of these guys as difference makers for us," said Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt. "Nate (Washington) has shown the ability to stretch the field and be a big-play receiver. He will complement passing game and brings big game experience as well. Jovan (Haye) fits our defensive system with an aggressive one-gap approach; both our personnel folks and coaches were excited about his abilities in our system."

Washington (6-1, 185) appeared in 49 games with seven starts during his four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and collected 104 career receptions for 1,705 yards with 12 touchdowns.  The veteran wide receiver has the ability to stretch the field having led the Steelers in yards per catch in two of the last three seasons.  His most successful campaign came last year when he recorded career-highs with 40 catches and 631 receiving yards, while scoring three touchdowns.  In 2007, Washington saw action in all 16 contests with four starts and grabbed 29 receptions for 450 yards with a career-best five touchdown catches.  The former undrafted free agent out of Tiffin University enjoyed a breakout season in 2006 when he led the AFC with a 17.8-yard per reception average and caught 35 passes for 624 yards with four touchdowns.    

Washington holds eight individual school records at Division II Tiffin University, including all-time marks for receptions (212), receiving yards (4,214) and touchdown catches (47).  A native of Toledo, Ohio, he was first-team All City, first-team All District and honorable mention All State at Scott High School.

! Former Buccaneers defensive tackle Jovan Haye registered a career-high six sacks in 2007.

Haye, a veteran of four NFL seasons, spent the majority of the past three years with Tampa Bay after beginning his career with the Carolina Panthers.  The 6-foot-2, 285-pound defender has recorded 30 starts in 42 career games, and his statistics include 118 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries.  During his final season with the Buccaneers, he played in 15 games (14 starts) for the NFL's ninth-ranked defense and contributed 40 tackles and one pass defensed. In 2007, he achieved career highs with 16 starts, 97 tackles and six sacks.

Haye played in two games as a rookie with the Panthers in 2005. Then, prior to the 2006 season, he was released by Carolina and signed by the Cleveland Browns.  After appearing on the Browns' 53-man roster for the first week of the season, he was released and added to their practice squad.  The Buccaneers signed him off the Browns' practice squad on Oct. 25, 2006. 

During his three-year career at Vanderbilt (2002-04), Haye started 34 of 35 games and totaled 149 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and one interception.  He was named second-team All-SEC as a sophomore after sharing the conference lead with 8.5 sacks. Forgoing his senior season, he declared for the 2005 NFL Draft and became a sixth-round pick by the Panthers (189th overall).