Washington’s Average 8th Among Active Players with 300 Catches

Wide receiver Nate Washington reached the 300 career reception mark last week at Jacksonville.

During his eight-year career with the Titans (2009–present) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2005–2008), he has totaled 302 receptions for 4,521 yards and 35 touchdowns.

There are currently 41 active NFL players with at least 300 receptions. Out of that group, Washington’s receiving average ranks eighth.

Receiving average among active players with 300 or more receptions:

1. Vincent Jackson – 319 rec/5,713 yards (17.9 avg), 44 TDs
2. Calvin Johnson – 439 rec/7,129 yards (16.2 avg), 53 TDs
3. Randy Moss – 970 rec/15,124 yards (15.6 avg), 155 TDs
4. Greg Jennings – 401 rec/6,249 yards (15.6 avg), 50 TDs
5. Braylon Edwards – 349 rec/5,397 yards (15.5 avg), 40 TDs
6. Santonio Holmes – 358 rec/5,507 yards (15.4 avg), 35 TDs
7. Plaxico Burress – 550 rec/8,457 yards (15.4 avg), 63 TDs
8. Nate Washington – 302 rec/4,521 yards (15.0 avg), 35 TDs
9. Brandon Lloyd – 360 rec/5,335 yards (14.8 avg), 34 TDs
10. Steve Smith – 747 rec/11,048 yards (14.8 avg), 60 TDs

Washington Extends Consecutive Games With Reception Streak

Nate Washington extended his streak last week at Houston to 66 consecutive regular-season games with at least one reception.

The streak extends back to his final 14 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008.

Since arriving in Tennessee in 2009, Washington has at least one catch in all 52 games the team has played, which ties him with Ken Burrough (1973–1977) for the fifth-longest streak in franchise history.

If he hauls in at least one pass this week at Minnesota, he will move into a tie with Haywood Jeffires (1990–93) for the club’s fourth-longest stretch.

The team’s all-time leaders for consecutive games with a reception are tight end Frank Wycheck (99 from 1996–2002), Ernest Givins (82 from 1988–1993) and Drew Hill (76 from 1986–1991), followed by Jeffires, Burrough and Washington.

Washington Makes 100th Career Game a Memorable One

In his 100th career regular-season game, wide receiver Nate Washington came up with one of the best performances of his eight-year career.

He totaled three receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown, recording his fifth career 100-yard game.

Late in the fourth quarter Washington somehow held onto to a long pass from Jake Locker, leaning over the body of defensive back Jacob Lacey to snare the catch. The 71-yard touchdown gave  Tennessee a 34-27 lead with 3:11 remaining at LP Field.

His 71-yard TD equaled his career long set at San Diego on Oct. 31, 2010.

His first catch, a 32-yarder, extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 65, including all 51 games he has played with the Titans.

Locker Tosses TD Before Leaving Game with Shoulder Injury

Making his first career start, Jake Locker tossed his first touchdown of the season, avoiding pressure and splitting a pair of defenders with a 29-yard strike down the right sideline to Nate Washington.

It was the kind of play that excites Titans coaches, showing Locker’s athleticism and big-play ability when he is on the move.

Coming off a 21-3 halftime deficit, the Titans’ scoring drive covered 80 yards in four plays and pulled them within 21-10 early in the third quarter.

You can see Washington’s touchdown catch right here.

It didn’t take long for Locker to begin moving the offense. Starting at Tennessee’s 20-yard line, Locker found tight end Jared Cook down the middle for a 35-yard gain to New England’s 45 (watch Cook’s reception). Two plays later, Chris Johnson turned a short catch into a 16-yard gain to the 29, setting up Locker’s TD pass to Washington on the next play.

The touchdown was Locker’s fifth of his career and Washington’s 32nd.  As a rookie in 2011, Locker completed three of his four touchdown passes to Washington.

Locker completed 23-of-32 passes for 229 yards with one touchdown and one interception before leaving the game with a shoulder injury early in the fourth quarter.

Locker Throws Second TD, Titans Lead 14-3

Jake Locker just threw his second touchdown of the game. He found Nate Washington on a short slant and the wide receiver did the rest, racing 28 yards untouched into the end zone for a 14-3 Titans lead with 13:31 remaining in the second quarter.

Locker completed a 29-yard pass to Kendall Wright on 3rd-and-3 earlier in the drive.

Locker is 5-of-10 passing for 76 yards and two touchdowns, good for a 115.0 passer rating.

Washington: ‘This Offense can be one of the Best in the League’

Wide receiver Nate Washington was a key player in Tennessee’s offense a year ago, setting career-highs in receptions (74), receiving yards (1,023) and touchdowns (7).

The Titans got solid play from QB Matt Hasselbeck and saw Jared Cook develop into one of the league’s most productive and promising tight ends.

Now, with the expected return of Kenny Britt and the acquisition of explosive Baylor wide-out Kendall Wright, the eight-year veteran believes the Titans’ offense could be “one of the best in the league” entering the 2012 season.

“This offense can be very good,” Washington said following Tuesday’s minicamp practice at Baptist Sports Park. “Getting CJ back to the stage he was at a couple of years ago and at the end of last year, I think this offense could be one of the best in the league.  It’s just a matter of our want-to, our work ethic and how much it means to us.”

The Titans developed into more of a passing offense a year ago, and the addition of Wright gives Tennessee even more options in its aerial attack.

“We’re changing up a lot of things, creating opportunities for a lot of different guys and different positions,” Washington said. “I don’t necessarily have to play in the slot all the time anymore.  Kenny (Britt) won’t necessarily be outside all the time.  Kendall’s addition gives us a lot of different opportunities to look at.“

Washington said the front office did a good job of expanding its receiving core this off-season and that everyone has been working hard this spring getting ready for training camp and the start of the season.

As the veteran of the group, he wants to lead by example.

“I didn’t set the bar at 1,000 yards for myself, I just played and 1,000 yards came through hard work…that’s where I have to set the bar at — through my hard work,” Washington said.  “Everything I did last year, I want to take it up another notch and be accountable, pay attention to more film and make sure that I’m here every day on the practice fields working out as hard as I can.”

So far his example is paying off.

“Right now in the spring it means a lot to the guys seeing how hard they’re working. Seeing Kendall as young as he is, that’s the reason he’s sitting right now because he’s out there giving everything he can, diving on the ground for footballs and doing all those kinds of things,” Washington said.  “These guys are giving it their all to make sure they are accountable in August and making sure that when the season starts in September we’re ready to go.“

Washington TD Gives Titans 23-16 Lead

Nate Washington hauled in a 23-yard touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck, giving the Titans a 23-16 lead with 4:31 remaining in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium.

You can watch the touchdown right here.

The six-play, 56-yard drive was highlighted by a 21-yard reception by Donnie Avery, who now has three catches for 45 yards and a TD.

Washington set a career-high with his seventh touchdown reception of the season.

It was Hasselbeck’s 18th touchdown pass of the season, the most by a Titans quarterback since Billy Volek had 18 in 2004.