New England Patriots
Tommy Kelly - DT
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 6"/ 325 lbs. |
| Birthday | 12/27/1980 |
| Birthplace | Jackson, MS |
| College | Mississippi State |
| Years played | 10 |
Reports: Patriots OLT Light expected to practice
Patriots OLT Matt Light, who has been ill early in Super Bowl week, is expected to practice Wednesday, multiple media outlets reported.
Patriots-Giants matchup of the day: Wednesday
The Giants' receivers should have an edge over the Patriots' cornerbacks in Super Bowl XLVI.
A different view of Belichick
Most fans know Bill Belichick from the noncommittal, bland persona he exhibits at news conferences, but PFW's Hub Arkush says there's much more to the Patriots' head coach.
Tuesday's Super Bowl notebook
A roundup of some of Tuesday's top Super Bowl stories from Indianapolis.
Big-game Branch does lots of different things for Patriots
Deion Branch was fourth on the team in receptions in 2011, but teammates and coaches expect the former Super Bowl MVP to shine on Sunday.
Evans rips Holmgren, praises Belichick for building teams
Heath Evans has taken a cue from Bill Belichick — and learned how not to do it from Mike Holmgren — on the right way to build an NFL team.
New team, new role, same Izzo
Larry Izzo has gone from Patriots captain to Giants assistant special-teams coach, but he still brings the same mentality to the game.
Webster: Giants will disrupt Patriots receivers' timing
With two of the lower-rated pass defenses facing top-five passing offenses in Super Bowl XLVI, reigning in the Patriots' receivers will be difficult, says Giants CB Corey Webster.
Walking boot off, but 'Gronk' sheds little light on status
Rob Gronkowski appeared at media day on Tuesday without the walking boot he had been wearing since suffering the injury.
Patriots look to get OT Light and TE Gronkowski better
Patriots OT Matt Light is sick, and TE Rob Gronkowski is still day-to-day with a high ankle sprain.
The First Fifteen: Super Bowl edition
Looking forward to Super Bowl Sunday? We get you ready for the week with the top 15 story lines leading up to the biggest day of nacho consumption in our great country.
Patriots-Giants matchup of the day: Tuesday
Trying to stop DT Vince Wilfork will be a tall but important task for the Giants' offensive line Sunday.
Regular-season champs have been playoff chumps
Despite leading his team to a 15-1 record and being named league MVP, Aaron Rodgers wasn't able to lift the Packers past their first playoff foe.
'Gronk' doesn't practice; Vollmer a 'possibility' for Sunday
Bill Belichick said Rob Gronkowski didn't practice Monday and OT Sebastian Vollmer is a "possibility" to play Sunday, in our SB notebook.
Super Bowl XLVI game preview
In a replay of Super Bowl XLII, the Patriots will seek revenge for a 17-14 loss in that game, as we examine the matchups and the five keys to the game.
PLAYER NEWS
The Oakland Raiders have released Kelly, cutting ties with their longest-tenured position player on the roster.|||||||
Kelly signed a $50.1 million, seven-year contract to remain with Oakland in 2008. He was owed $6.5 million this year before being cut. Kelly had one sack in 16 games last season.
Kelly accepted responsibility for his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, saying he made a bad mistake.|||||||
Kelly went out drinking Sunday night after the Raiders returned from a road trip to Kansas City. He was booked at Oakland's Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility on Monday and later released. Kelly acknowledged that he is under more scrutiny this season after signing a seven-year contract in the offseason that was worth up to $50.5 million and included $18.125 million in guaranteed money. Coach Lane Kiffin sat down with Kelly on Wednesday to talk about the situation.
Kelly was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Authorities say Kelly was booked at Oakland's Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility on Monday and later released.|||||||
The Raiders signed Kelly to a $50.5 million contract this year even though the veteran defensive lineman was coming off a serious knee injury that cut his 2007 season short. Kelly had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Kelly replaced Warren Sapp as the anchor of the Raiders' defensive line.
The Raiders resigned Kelly on Thursday to a seven-year contract that reportedly could be worth more than $50 million. Kelly, coming off reconstructive knee surgery, was set to become an unrestricted free agent on Friday. But the Raiders pre-empted that with a lucrative contract that guarantees Kelly more than $18 million.|||||||
Keeping Kelly was an offseason priority for Oakland after defensive tackle Warren Sapp retired. Kelly was the team's most consistent defensive lineman last season before sustaining the season-ending knee injury Oct. 28 against Tennessee. Kelly's versatility is one of his biggest strengths as he is able to play inside at tackle or outside at end. He finished 2007 with 27 solo tackles, one sack and a blocked kick.
Kelly will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ligament in his right knee, the latest injury to hit Oakland's defensive line.|||||||
Kelly had 27 solo tackles and one sack this season, moving back and forth between end and tackle with ease. He also came up with one of the biggest plays of the season for Oakland, blocking a potential winning 40-yard field goal attempt by Cleveland's Phil Dawson on Sept. 23.
