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SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze announce the signing of QB Andy Kelly (6-3, 220, Tennessee) for the remainder of the 2006 season. Kelly, who most recently played for the Kansas City Brigade this season, will be at Monday's practice at Spence Eccles Field House starting at 10 a.m. As per team policy, terms of the deal are undisclosed.
"Our quarterbacks have been taking a beating this year," said Blaze head coach/general manager Danny white. "Football is a physical game. This move is not a reflection on anybody's performance, but provides us some security at a key position. When you have the opportunity to add depth to the quarterback spot with a player of Andy's ability and experience, you jump on it."
The former Volunteer signal-caller played for six teams during his career. Kelly owns a number of AFL records including: passing yards (38,468), completions (3,520) and attempts (5,648). He is No. 2 in career touchdown passes (741) behind New York's Aaron Garcia (757), but was the first quarterback in professional football history to throw for more than 500 touchdowns (NFL record, Dan Marino, 420).
The 13-year veteran is 84-72 as a starting quarterback during his AFL career. His 84 victories are the second most in AFL history behind Arizona's Sherdrick Bonner(100).
The Blaze have been without starter Joe Germaine, who has 2,180 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in seven games, since breaking his middle finger on his throwing hand during Week 7's victory over the Nashville Kats. Rookie QB Jason Gesser has connected on 61.4% of his passes, while tallying 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but is winless in his first four starts.
The Blaze host another divisional game against the Los Angeles Avengers next Saturday, April 15 at the Delta Center with kickoff slated at 7 p.m.
ANDY KELLY'S CAREER NUMBERS
YEAR TEAM COM ATT COM% YDS TDs INT
1993 Charlotte 178 332 53.6% 2139 34 15
1995 Charlotte 95 166 57.2% 1004 16 8
1996 Charlotte 58 94 61.7% 682 9 1
1997 Nashville 309 497 62.2% 3821 82 14
1998 Nashville 315 518 60.8% 3537 73 12
1999 Nashville 324 501 64.7% 3609 67 11
2000 Nashville 282 428 65.9% 3099 55 10
2001 Nashville 230 382 60.2% 2699 47 7
2002 Dallas 318 511 62.2% 3253 73 16
2003 Detroit 410 638 64.3% 3968 92 20
2004 Detroit 360 589 61.1% 4176 73 12
2005 New Orleans 464 698 66.5% 4629 96 12
2006 Kansas City 177 294 60.2% 1852 24 13
CAREER 3,520 5,648 62.3% 38,468 741 151
