The Redskins completed the signing of tight end Walter Rasby on Wednesday. Rasby had met with head coach Joe Gibbs last Thursday but didn't officially sign a contract with the team until this week.

The 10-year veteran, who played with the Redskins in 2001-02 before spending last season with the New Orleans Saints, is known as a hard-nosed team leader with excellent blocking skills.

In his first two seasons with the Redskins, Rasby started 20 games and caught 18 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

Along with the Saints, he has also had productive stints with the Carolina Panthers (1995-97), the Detroit Lions (1998-2000) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1994).

During his 10-year career, Rasby has started 60-of-134 games and has snagged 58 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-3, 252-pounder had six catches for 55 yards for the Saints last season, also contributing on special teams.

Throughout his NFL career, Rasby has been used primarily as a blocking tight end. He is expected to fill that role in Gibbs' offense, which has emphasized running the ball. Rasby was a key blocker for Stephen Davis in 2001-02 and will likely serve a similar purpose for newly acquired tailback Clinton Portis.

In Washington, Rasby joins Byron Chamberlain, Robert Royal and Kevin Ware as tight ends currently on the Redskins roster.

Rasby was born in Washington, D.C. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994.

In his senior year at Wake Forest in 1993, Rasby led the team with 32 receptions for 247 yards. That year, he received the team's annual Bill George Award as the team's top lineman.