Silver and Black Report

TOMMY KELLY

• DEFENSIVE TACKLE
• No: 93
• Height: 6’6”
• Weight: 300
• Birth date: 12/27/1980
• College: Mississippi State
• Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004

The Oakland Raiders made Tommy Kelly the richest defensive tackle in the history of the NFL in February when they inked him to a seven-year, $50.5 million contract, including $18.125 million in guarantees and $25.125 million in the first three years of the contract.

Kelly started his career with the Raiders in 2004 as a defensive tackle. Surprisingly, he led the pass rush starved defense with 4-sacks in part time duty. But in 2005, the Raiders moved Kelly to right end and it wasn’t until midway through the year that he regained his pass rushing effectiveness when the Raiders started lining him up again at tackle.

In 2007, Kelly played in seven games and was enjoying his best year as a pro before sustaining a torn ACL versus the Tennessee Titans.

This year, the plan is for the Kelly to replace the retired Warren Sapp as the three-technique tackle in Oakland’s 4-3 alignments.

Head coach Lane Kiffin talked about Kelly during a recent mini camp, stating, “He is doing well inside. He is off the charts strong. His strength in the weight room is as high as it has ever been. His explosiveness in there, and now we have to get him back on the field. He is doing all kinds of stuff for us out here, but is not at full speed yet.”