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Tommy Kelly | Defensive Lineman

Team: New England Patriots
Age / DOB:  (32) / 12/27/1980
Ht / Wt:  6'6' / 300
College: Mississippi State
Contract: view contract details
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Tommy Kelly's two-year contract with the Patriots has a maximum value of $5 million.
Kelly is only guaranteed $1M in the form of a signing bonus, but he has very realistic roster bonuses that make the $5M reasonably achievable. As ESPN Boston puts it, the contract "is a reflection that the team doesn't view Kelly as a player whose play has dramatically dropped off as he enters his 10th season." His exact role will be ironed out during training camp, but the long-time Raider is capable of playing both end in the 3-4 and tackle in 4-3 looks. Apr 10 - 9:10 AM
Source: ESPN Boston

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Player News

Date:
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

Patriots agreed to terms with DT Tommy Kelly on a two-year contract.

Kelly, 32, recorded 45 tackles and one sack in Oakland last year, starting all 16 games. He graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 74 defensive tackle among 85. At 6-foot-6, 300-plus pounds, Kelly offers flexibility to play end in 3-4 looks and rush from the interior on passing downs, although it remains to be seen how much he's got left. We suspect the Pats guaranteed Kelly little or no money.
Related: Raiders
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 8 - 3:18 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

Raiders released DT Tommy Kelly.

Kelly has spent his entire nine-year career in Oakland, but is coming off his worst campaign. His $6.5 million salary was untenable for a declining 32-year-old interior defensive lineman. The move frees up $4.775 million in cap space. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora expects Kelly to draw interest "pretty quickly," but that will depend on Kelly valuing himself realistically.
Related: Raiders
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
Mar 26 - 9:44 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

DT Tommy Kelly expects to be released by the Raiders.

Kelly has two years left on the seven-year, $50.1 million deal he signed in 2008, and his release would save the Raiders $4.8 million against the salary cap next season. He was slated to make $6.5 million in 2013 and $7 million in 2014.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Mar 9 - 12:31 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

The Raiders are considering releasing DT Tommy Kelly.

This move would save the Raiders about $4.8 million against the salary cap. Kelly's 7-year contract is set to expire in 2014. He's slated to make $6.5 million in 2013, and $7 million in 2014. Kelly graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 74 defensive tackle in 2012.
Source: Sean Jensen on Twitter
Feb 23 - 12:41 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

The Contra Costa Times considers Raiders NT Tommy Kelly an "obvious" release or restructure candidate.

The Raiders are right up against the expected $121 million cap despite having one of the league's worst rosters. They could free up roughly $10 million in space by parting with Kelly and Darrius Heyward-Bey. We expect both moves to be made.
Related: Darrius Heyward-Bey
Source: Contra Costa Times
Feb 12 - 4:31 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

ESPN's Bill Williamson classifies Raiders NT Tommy Kelly as a "top candidate" to be released.

Kelly has two years left on his monster seven-year, $50.125 million deal, but his cap number for 2013 is over $11 million. He's started all 16 games over each of the last five seasons, but recorded just one sack in 2012 after notching 14.5 in the previous two seasons. The Raiders' defensive line will see an extreme makeover with Richard Seymour, Matt Shaughnessy, Desmond Bryant, and Andre Carter all set for free agency.
Source: ESPN.com
Feb 4 - 1:08 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

The Raiders plan to use Tommy Kelly at nose tackle in their 3-4 fronts.

New coach Dennis Allen plans to be "multiple" on defense, and the 6-foot-6, 300-pound Kelly would be their best attempt at a "zero-technique" anchor on the 3-4. Richard Seymour and Lamarr Houston would be the defensive ends, with Matt Shaughnessy and perhaps Dave Tollefson at outside linebacker. Oakland would be much better off focusing on a 4-3 defensive scheme this season.
Source: Oakland Tribune
Wed, May 2, 2012 08:21:00 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

Raiders DT Tommy Kelly anticipates Oakland running a base 4-3 defense in 2012.

There was speculation Oakland might install a 3-4 when ex-Packers exec Reggie McKenzie was hired as GM, but McKenzie tabbed 4-3 proponent Dennis Allen as head coach. "We’re going to do what we always do -- run four man," Kelly said. "I’m just assuming. Heard he’s a guy that mixes it up, so you never know." We'll know for sure when OTAs start. Kelly, 31, finished last season with career highs in sacks (7.5) and pass breakups (5), and forced two fumbles.
Source: Oakland Tribune
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 02:07:00 AM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

Raiders DT Tommy Kelly says Matt Schaub "choked" by passing instead of attempting to run it into the end zone on the final play of Houston's 25-20 Sunday loss.

"Old boy choked," Kelly said. "All he had to do was run it in. He choked, simple as that." Schaub appeared to have a running lane, but instead tossed a game-ending interception to Michael Huff. Defending himself, Schaub said "I'm not necessarily a guy that's going to make a whole lot of guys miss in the open field." Although Tyvon Branch was in position to attempt a tackle, there's little question running it would have been the higher percentage play.
Related: Texans
Source: Houston Chronicle
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 01:38:00 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

Raiders DT Tommy Kelly left Sunday's game in the third quarter with what appeared to be a rib injury.

Kelly was applying pressure to his own ribs while walking to the sidelines under his own power. Rookie left end Lamarr Houston has moved inside with the Chargers in a pass-heavy comeback mode.
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 06:42:00 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

Raiders DT Tommy Kelly walked off the field in the third quarter of Week 12 against Miami.

It's unclear what's wrong with him, but Kelly looked a little woozy as he walked off under his own power. We will provide details as they develop.
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 06:32:00 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

The Raiders have moved DT Tommy Kelly to nose tackle, with Richard Seymour as the new starting "three technique."

Al Davis made Kelly the NFL's highest paid defensive tackle two years ago to be a pass rusher, but he had just one sack in 16 starts last season. Kelly admitted to being way overweight, hovering around 350 pounds. He's down to 315 this year, but his production will likely remain marginal at the new spot.
Source: Oakland Tribune
Mon, Aug 16, 2010 06:17:00 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

Raiders DT Tommy Kelly left Sunday's game with a shoulder injury.

Kelly got tangled up with Broncos LT Ryan Clady and remained on the ground for a few minutes. He returned to the game late in the fourth quarter.
Sun, Dec 20, 2009 06:11:00 PM
Tommy Kelly - DL - Patriots

Raiders DT Tommy Kelly left Sunday's game with a rib injury and did not return.

Kelly recorded a sack and a batted pass prior to the injury. The Raiders have not updated his status.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Mon, Nov 16, 2009 10:20:00 AM

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