Jul 17
DT Tommy Kelly has a pile of expectations as large as his bank account based on the Raiders' decision to lavish Kelly with $18.125 million in guaranteed money and a deal which could bring him $27 million in three seasons. Kelly has played up and down the line with occasional effectiveness and has achieved good things for an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State. But being a surprise is different than being counted upon to anchor a defensive line which surrendered an NFL worst 4.8 yards per carry and gave up 100 yards to 10 different running backs last season.
D-line coach Keith Millard compares Kelly to Trevor Pryce in that he can play anywhere on the line, but the Raiders are planning to put him at the three-technique spot vacated by Warren Sapp and will resist the urge to play him at end.
The big contract was made all the more remarkable by the fact that Kelly didn't play after Week 7 because of ACL surgery and hasn't practiced in team sessions throughout the offseason. To the naked eye, Kelly looks bigger, and coach Lane Kiffin said the tackle has gotten serious in the weight room to become stronger than ever.
