Tommy Kelly

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Oakland Raiders
currentnumber=93
currentpositionplain=Defensive tackle
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|12|27
birthplace=Jackson, Mississippi
heightft=6
heightin=6
weight=300
debutyear=2006
debutteam=Oakland Raiders
college=Mississippi State
undraftedyear=2004
pastteams=
* Oakland Raiders (2004-present)
nfl=KEL742155

Tommy Kelly (born December 27, 1980 in Jackson, Mississippi) is an American football player who currently plays defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders.

Early years

After a standout basketball career at Jackson's Provine High School, he signed a football scholarship with Mississippi State University, where he played in 22 games and earned 16 starts, making 82 tackles, including 15 for loss and two quarterback sacks. He was signed as a free agent in 2004 by the Oakland Raiders.

Professional career

2004 season

After being signed in 2004 as an undrafted rookie free agent, Tommy Kelly alternated between 3-4 DE and 4-3 DT. In the very few plays that he saw action, he was able to rack up 4 sacks, including 3 weeks in a row from week 7 through week 9.

2005 season

In 2005, the Raiders moved away from the 3-4 defense, with Tommy Kelly finding a spot as the RE. Lacking the prototypical size and speed for an RE, Tommy Kelly still fared well in his sophomore season, doing well to stop the run. However, it wasn't until he began to see time at DT that he saw the sacks starts coming once again. In week 9 alone, Kelly racked up a total of 3 quarterback sacks--reaching Kansas City veteran Trent Green. In each instance, Kelly had lined up as a DT rather than the RE that he had been playing as previously in the year. By the end of the season, Kelly had a total of 4.5 sacks.

2006 season

In the offseason between the 2005 season and the 2006 season, Raider DT Ed Jasper told reporters that Tommy Kelly would be an absolute monster once he fully realized his talents and abilities. Due to these comments, as well fellow Raider DT and Pro Bowler Warren Sapp taking Kelly under his wing, expectations were high for the young defensive lineman as the Raiders entered the 2006 season. News that he would become a full-time defensive tackle also perked up the ears of the Raider Nation considering the success that he had been experiencing on the interior line his 1st two seasons.

However, the 2006 season came and went without those hopes and dreams of greatness being realized. Tommy Kelly only managed a meager 3.5 sacks, the lowest total of his professional career. This was not what was expected. He had received consistent playing time all season and he was playing the interior line, the spot where his pass rushing skills were his strength. Not only did he fail to reach the QB as many times as hoped, but Kelly also looked weak at the point of attack-many times being pushed backward on running plays. Much of the Raiders' woes against the run were, in fact, blamed on Kelly.

2007 season

Kelly played in 7 games in 2007, recording 30 tackles and 1 sack [ [http://www.nfl.com/players/tommykelly/gamelogs?id=KEL742155 NFL Game Log] ] before suffering a season ending knee injury while playing against the Tennessee Titans [ [http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_7319933?source=rss Inside Bay Area] ] . He was placed on injured reserve by the Oakland Raiders on October 31, 2007. [ [http://www.nfl.com/transactions NFL Transactions] ]

On February 28, 2008, the Oakland Raiders signed Kelly to the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle on the eve of free agency. Kelly, a defensive end scheduled to move to defensive tackle in 2008, signed a seven-year, $50.5 million contract with $18.125 million in guarantees and$ 25.125 million in the first three years . [Citation |last= |first= |title=Raiders re-sign Kelly to big-time deal |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7854848/Raiders-re-sign-Kelly-to-big-time-deal |publisher="FOX Sports" |date=2008-02-29 |accessdate=2008-03-01]

Kelly can play every spot on the defensive line, but he is scheduled to replace retired Warren Sapp at the three technique for the 2008 season.

2008 Season

On September 15, 2008, Kelly was arrested for driving under the influence.

References