April 25, 2005
Pocatello, ID --- Sale' Key, the leading receiver in the history of Idaho State University, signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday and will report to the teams minicamp on Thursday of this week. Key becomes the sixth Bengal in the last four years to sign an NFL contract.
Last season, Key broke the school record with 187 catches, a record that had stood for 36 years. He also finished second to Ed "The Flea" Bell with 27 touchdowns and 2,635 yards. Sale' also set a school record with a catch in 38 consecutive games. Last season he led ISU with 67 catches for 943 yards and nine touchdowns.
"I'm excited for the opportunity, and now its time to showcase what I have," said Key via phone on Monday. "I know that there are many talented receivers in Cincinnati, but I believe that I can come in there and contribute right away."
Cincinnati has been one of the NFL's most improved teams the last two years, going 8-8 in 2003 and 2004 under former Idaho State Bengal player and coach Marvin Lewis. Prior to those two marks, Cincinnati hadn't seen a .500 record since 1990.
Key continues a strong run of Bengals in the NFL. Shane Griggs signed a free agent contract in 2001 with Green Bay, and Josh Robinson did the same in 2002 with Baltimore. Punter Eddie Johnson was drafted in the sixth round in 2003 by Minnesota, and Jared Allen was a 2004 fourth round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, eventually earning NFL All-Rookie status. Isaac Mitchell also in 2004 signed a free agent contract with Buffalo.
The Bengals return six receivers from their 2004 team, including Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Peter Warrick, Kelley Washington, Kevin Walter, and Cliff Russell. The Bengals also drafted a pair of receivers in West Virginia's Chris Henry in the third round and UCLA's Tab Perry in the sixth round.
Key, who currently is at home in Sacramento, will leave for Cincinnati on Thursday, and participate in Bengals minicamp Thursday through Sunday.
