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 |
Patriots-Ravens matchup of the day: Tuesday
The most important battle for the Patriots to win on Sunday is stopping Ravens RB Ray Rice.
2011 All-AFC team
Seven Patriots, including QB Tom Brady, and five Ravens were named to the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America All-AFC team.
The First Fifteen: Conference championship edition
PFW's Eric Edholm looks ahead to the AFC and NFC championship games and considers the fallout for the losers in the divisional playoff round.
Divisional weekend sets ratings records
The 49ers, Giants, Ravens and Patriots all advanced last weekend in the NFL playoffs, and a record-setting number of Americans saw them do it.
Bears interview Patriots' Licht for GM
Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht interviewed for the Bears' general manager job Monday.
Confident Patriots peaking at the right time
The Patriots picked the right time to turn in their best performance of the season and have plenty of confidence heading into the AFC championship game.
Ravens' AFC title hopes don't rest solely on Flacco's shoulders
QB Joe Flacco's play is only one piece of the puzzle as the Ravens try to take down the Patriots, writes PFW's Mike Wilkening.
Patriots stock report: Divisional round
Tom Brady and the offense were unstoppable against Denver, but the run defense's performance might have been just as impressive.
Shorts and Shells: Divisional round
A few of the game's better tight ends, including the 49ers' Vernon Davis, shined in the divisional round of the playoffs, and the pressure will be on Joe Flacco to get Baltimore to the Super Bowl.
Patriots players of the week: Divisional round
Tom Brady and the Patriots' front seven were tremendous in New England's big playoff win over the Broncos.
Patriots rout Broncos 45-10
Tom Brady threw six TD passes, five in the first half, and put New England into the AFC title game after roughing up Tim Tebow and the Broncos 45-10 Saturday night.
Decker, Vollmer among inactives
The Broncos and Patriots have announced their inactives for Saturday night's AFC divisional playoff game.
Patriots-Broncos prediction
As in Week 15, the Patriots have too many offensive weapons for the Broncos to keep up, and PFW's Kevin Fishbain predicts the Pats will move on.
Broncos LS Paxton out for divisional-round game
Broncos LS Lonie Paxton will miss Saturday night's playoff game against the Patriots. He has been dealing with a family issue.
Patriots-Broncos matchup of the day: Friday
The Broncos had a wealth of success running the ball against the Patriots early in Week 15, making it another key matchup for Saturday's playoff 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.
