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 |
Brady and Patriots too much for Tebow
Tom Brady and the Patriots shut down Tim Tebow's late-game heroics and clinched a playoff berth with a 41-23 victory over the Broncos on Sunday.
Patriots-Broncos prediction
PFW associate editor Kevin Fishbain expects the Patriots to notch their sixth win in a row on Sunday by topping Tim Tebow and the Broncos.
Patriots-Broncos matchup of the day: Saturday
No one has been able to slow down Rob Gronkowski, making each week an intriguing matchup to see how an opponent tries to contain Gronk.
Closing fast doesn't always lead to playoff success
In "NFList," we look at the five teams with the best records in Weeks 14-17 since 2006 and see whether that success translated to the postseason.
Mayo, Patriots agree to five-year deal
Patriots LB Jerod Mayo has agreed to a five-year extension with the team, keeping the centerpiece of Bill Belichick's defense in place for the near future.
They said it: Patriots edition
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke to reporters on Friday before the team's Week 15 game against the Broncos. The following quotes are from transcripts provided by the team.
Patriots-Broncos matchup of the day: Friday
Patriots CBs Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington have had their struggles this season and they face a pair of talented young receivers on Sunday.
Patriots fantasy report: Week 15
Who will step up if WR Deion Branch can’t play? Here are some of the Patriots' fantasy football options this week.
Ochocinco remains odd man out in Patriots' offense
Patriots WR Chad Ochocinco has yet to make an impact on offense, and the team may need him to be involved come playoff time.
Patriots release DB Williams
The Patriots released rookie DB Malcolm Williams on Thursday, the team announced.
Charges against Patriots WR Edelman dropped
Suffolk County prosecutors dropped charges against Patriots WR Julian Edelman. The third-year pro was accused of groping a woman at a nightclub in November.
Patriots-Broncos matchup of the day: Thursday
The Patriots' run defense will need to show better than it did last week, as it faces the powerful Willis McGahee on Sunday.
Patriots-Broncos matchup of the day: Wednesday
For the fourth week in a row, the Patriots' offensive tackles face a formidable pair of edge rushers. This week, it's Denver's Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller.
Gronkowski, Suggs, Prater earn AFC player of week honors
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs and Broncos PK Matt Prater were named AFC Players of the Week for Week 14.
Patriots 60-second rant: Run defense needs to improve in Denver
The Patriots' pass defense continues to give up lots of yards, but the run defense struggled on Sunday.
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.
