News: Hoping to fortify their interior defensive line alongside perennial Pro Bowl tackle Vince Wilfork, the Patriots have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with former Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly, NFL.com reported. Kelly, a nine-year veteran, was waived by the Raiders in late-March in a cost-cutting move. The former Mississippi State lineman was set to carry a cap hit of $6.5 million for the 2013 season before his release. After recording 14.5 sacks from 2010 to 2011, Kelly's sack total dipped to 1.0 last season. Prior to the subpar year in 2012, Kelly had a pair of stellar seasons in Oakland. Kelly, who was used at defensive end early in his career, is a versatile lineman that can be utilized in several different positions along a front four. Before a 2005 meeting with the Raiders, Bill Belichick compared Kelly favorably with Howie Long.
Analysis: Kelly has minimal Fantasy value as an interior defensive lineman. Ignore him in all IDP leagues on Draft Day.
News: Oakland defensive lineman Tommy Kelly notched just three tackles during the Raiders' 37-6 loss at Denver in Week 4. Kelly, who has tallied 40-plus tackles the past four years, has now amassed just four stops the past two games and 12 total on the season.
Analysis: Kelly was the team's leader in sacks last season (7.5), but has failed to take down an opposing quarterback in his first four games of this year. The most he went last season without a sack was three games so perhaps the 325-pounder can halt his slide quickly. Fantasy owners should view him as a low-end option in IDP formats until he starts producing at the level he has before.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly has been ruled active for Week 16 against the Chiefs. He was listed as probable entering Saturday due to a toe injury.
Analysis: Kelly has five sacks in his last six games and can be considered a viable starting DL in Fantasy IDP formats. He now has 7 1/2 sacks on the year, which is a career high.
News: Oakland DL Tommy Kelly was listed as probable for Week 16 against Kansas City. He's been dealing with a toe injury.
Analysis: Kelly has five sacks in his last six games and can be considered a viable starting DL in Fantasy IDP formats. He now has 7 1/2 sacks on the year, which is a career high.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly, who was probable for Week 15 with a toe injury, played and produced as the Raiders lost to the Lions, 28-27. Kelly had a sack and a forced fumble in the loss.
Analysis: Kelly added to his career high in sacks, and now has 7 ½ on the season. It was the second time he recorded a forced fumble in the season. He has five sacks in his last six games and can be considered a viable starting DL in Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Oakland DL Tommy Kelly is considered probable for Week 15 against Detroit because of a toe injury. Kelly was limited in practice throughout the past week as a result of the issue.
Analysis: Kelly added to his impressive sack total last Sunday against Green Bay and now has 6 1/2 total sacks this season. He is now one sack shy of surpassing his career high. However, he doesn't record many tackles and should be viewed as a low-end option in Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly was able to add to his sack total in Week 14 against the Packers. He finished with two tackles and a sack in the 46-16 loss. Kelly now has 6.5 sacks on the year.
Analysis: Kelly creates a lot of pressure up front for the Raiders and is just half a sack away from matching his career high. But since he does not rack up a ton of tackles, continue to view him as more of a low-end Fantasy DL in IDP formats at this point.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly (toe) was listed as active for Week 13 at Miami. He sat out Friday's practice and had been listed as questionable.
Analysis: Kelly's production so far this year has been disappointing, but now that he is playing he can be started in deeper IDP leagues.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly is listed as questionable for Week 13 at Miami after sitting out practice Friday because of a toe injury. He was limited the rest of the week.
Analysis: Kelly has 5 1/2 sacks in 2011. Unfortunately, he is well behind his tackle pace from 2010, when he had 60 tackles. He has just 31 tackles through 11 games. If he plays Sunday, then Kelly is a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly, who entered the game with 3 1/2 sacks on the season, added two more Week 11 at Minnesota. But that's not even the most notable part of his performance. He also recorded his first career interception, grabbing a deflected pass in the third quarter. He added three solo tackles.
Analysis: For an interior lineman, Kelly gets his share of sacks, recording a career-high seven last season. He has a chance of exceeding that number this season. He's worth using as a No. 3 DL in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly sacked Chargers QB Philip Rivers on Thursday night. He recorded three solo tackles in the outing, a contest that Oakland won 24-17.
Analysis: Kelly now has 27 tackles and 3.5 sacks on the year for the Raiders. Oakland has been playing well on defense and Kelly is one of the reasons why. Fantasy owners in IDP leagues should continue to view Kelly as a low-end DL option moving forward.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly was relatively quiet in Week 7 against the Chiefs. Kelly finished with just four tackles in the 28-0 defeat, two solo.
Analysis: Kelly recorded a career-high seven sacks a year ago and looks to be in store for another productive campaign. The Raiders have a stout front seven and the 29-year-old does a good job of putting pressure on opposing QBs. He has the potential to be a solid Fantasy DL but should be considered as more of a low-end option at this point.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly was credited with four tackles in Week 5 at Houston, including a sack. For Kelly, it was his second full sack of the season and first since Week 1.
Analysis: Kelly recorded a career-high seven sacks a year ago and looks to be in store for another productive campaign if he can stay healthy. Consider him a solid No. 3 DL option in IDP play.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly managed three tackles in Week 2 at Buffalo. He was held without a sack, however.
Analysis: Kelly recorded a career-high seven sacks a year ago and looks to be in store for another productive campaign if he can stay healthy. Consider him a solid No. 2 DL option in IDP play.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly had a productive game in Week 1 against the Broncos. He recorded two tackles and a sack in the 23-20 win.
Analysis: Kelly recorded a career-high seven sacks a year ago and looks to be in store for another productive campaign. The Raiders have a stout front seven and the 29-year-old does a good job of putting pressure on opposing QBs. He has the potential to be a solid Fantasy DL but should be considered as more of a low-end option at this point.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly played well in Sunday's season-finale at Kansas City in Week 17. Kelly had three tackles and finished 2010 with 59 tackles and seven sacks, which is a new career high.
Analysis: Kelly is a low-end DL in IDP leagues, but he can be a useful starter in deeper leagues and is a bye-week replacement. Don't plan on drafting Kelly in the majority of leagues in 2011.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly had another decent performance in Week 16 against the Colts. He recorded four tackles, including one for a loss in the 31-26 defeat.
Analysis: Kelly has 56 tackles on the year with a career-high seven sacks. He could pad those that in the season finale so continue to view the 29-year-old as a viable Fantasy DL in IDP formats for his ability to get after the quarterback.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly added to his sack total in Week 15 against the Broncos. He recorded half a sack and finished with five tackles in the 39-23 loss. Kelly has a career-high seven sacks on the year.
Analysis: Kelly is having a career year and has already smashed his previous high in sacks. While his tackle total is not that impressive, continue to view Kelly as a viable Fantasy DL in IDP formats for his ability to get after the quarterback.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly entered Week 13 against the Chargers having recorded at least a half a sack in seven of his last eight games. He continued that trend as he was able to bring down QB Philip Rivers, giving him 6.5 sacks on the year. It would be Kelly's lone tackle in the 28-13 win.
Analysis: Kelly was shaken up briefly against the Chargers on Sunday, so Fantasy owners should check back to make sure he is not seriously injured. He is having a career year and has already smashed his previous high in sacks. While his tackle total is not that impressive, continue to view Kelly as a viable Fantasy DL in IDP formats for his ability to get after the quarterback.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly was quiet in Week 12 against the Dolphins. He had six tackles in the 33-17 loss, however, only two were solo. Kelly now has 42 tackles on the season.
Analysis: Kelly was shaken up briefly against the Dolphins on Sunday, but was able to jump right back in a few plays later. He has been an excellent source for sacks this season and should continue to be viewed as a viable option in Fantasy IDP formats heading into Week 13 against the Chargers.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly extended his sack streak in Week 9 against the Chiefs. He brought down QB Matt Cassel in the 23-20 overtime win and has recorded a sack in four straight games. Kelly recorded three tackles in total and also had a forced fumble against Kansas City.
Analysis: Kelly continues to be a force for the Raiders and tied his career mark with his sack on Sunday. It is rare for interior lineman to get after the quarterback as much as he does so Fantasy owners should continue to ride the hot hand. Kelly should be considered a viable option in Fantasy IDP formats heading into Week 11 against the Steelers.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly recorded another sack Week 8 against the Seahawks, giving him 3 1/2 in four games. He finished with four tackles, including one solo.
Analysis: Kelly is on a good run with the sacks. As an interior lineman, he doesn't get many tackles, but if you're looking for some cheap sacks off the waiver wire, he certainly seems capable of providing a few. Treat him as a No. 3 DL in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly had a productive game against the 49ers in Week 6. He recorded six tackles, including his first full sack of the season in the 17-9 loss.
Analysis: Kelly has never produced more than 4.5 sacks in a season but has 1.5 through the first six games. He also has 24 tackles while clogging up the middle for the Raiders defense. He could become more of a Fantasy contributor with more performances like Sunday's but remains a low-end Fantasy DL in IDP formats heading into Week 7 against the Broncos.
News: Oakland DL Tommy Kelly picked up a sack of San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers in the Week 5 Raiders victory. Kelly finished with four tackles in the game.
Analysis: The sack was Kelly's first of the season and the four tackles gives him 18 on the year after five games. Kelly has not been very active for the defense up until the Week 5 game and we cannot recommend his use for Fantasy IDP leagues in Week 6 at San Francisco.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Raiders defensive tackle Tommy Kelly had a sack during Saturday's preseason game against the Bears, equaling a regular-season total of 2009. A figure he'd rather not remember. "I had to look in the mirror at the end of the season and ask, 'Is it them, or is it you?'" Kelly said. "I can't point my finger on them ... I've just got to handle me. In the offseason, I'm going to try and get myself back in the best shape I can so they won't have nothing to say." So Kelly, who came to camp at 340 pounds in 2009, arrived at 305 pounds. "I was carrying a baby in my stomach," Kelly said. It came as a surprise to his teammates, as offensive lineman Khalif Barnes said offensive linemen were guessing he'd come in at 345 or 350. "But the guy looked great. He's looking slimmer, is still strong and has that get-off," Barnes said.
Analysis: The Raiders moved Kelly to nose tackle with Richard Seymour going from end to three-technique. So Kelly slimmed down for a role that traditionally calls for more weight. "You've got to know your own skill set," Kelly said. "It's kind of obvious after last year that I can't play with that much weight and be the best kind of player I can be. You've got to do what's best and what fits you. I'm strong enough and tough enough to play nose, so I'm not even worried about it." While it's nice Kelly is slimmer and showing he can rush the passer, it is still going to be tough for him to get a ton of sacks at defensive tackle. Kelly can definitely rack up tackles, but he is still a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly injured his elbow Week 8 at San Diego and left the game. He recorded four solo tackles before leaving.
Analysis: As an interior lineman, Kelly is more of a space filler than a playmaker. He's not worth owning in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: DL Tommy Kelly is listed as probable with a knee injury for Week 16 against the Texans. He should be good to go for the game.
Analysis: Kelly does all the little things on the Raiders' defensive line but doesn't necessarily get the kind of stats Fantasy owners are looking for. He is a low-end lineman for Week 16 against the Texans.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly totaled four tackles (three solo) and one sack during a Week 13 loss to the Chiefs. He now has 4 1/2 sacks on the season and 3 1/2 in his last four games.
Analysis: Kelly is one of the league's top pass rushers at defensive tackle and is a good run stuffer as well. But since he doesn't always fill the stat sheet, Kelly remains just a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly recorded six tackles and 1 1/2 sacks in a Week 11 loss to the Dolphins.
Analysis: Kelly has 3 1/2 sacks in his last five games, which is pretty solid output for a DL. Still, the veteran is a low-end IDP option and should not be starting in Week 12 at Denver.
News: Raiders LB Kirk Morrison (12 tackles), DB Gibril Wilson (11 tackles), DB Hiram Eugene (nine tackles), DB DeAngelo Hall (eight tackles), LB Thomas Howard (seven tackles), DL Tommy Kelly (seven tackles) and DB Nnamdi Asomugha (seven tackles) made the most of their excessive time on the field in a Week 9 24-0 loss to the Falcons.
Analysis: Morrison, Wilson and Hall are must-starts at their positions in IDP leagues, while Howard has some value as a low-end LB in deeper IDP formats. Eugene, Kelly and Asomughe have barely any value. Start only Morrison, Wilson and Kelly in Week 10 vs. the Panthers.
News: Raiders DL Tommy Kelly made his first sack of the season in a Week 7 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Kelly averaged four sacks over his first three seasons, so the talent is there, but he missed most of 2007 with a knee injury. Don't start him in Week 8 at Baltimore, but keep an eye on him.
News: Oakland Raiders defensive end Tommy 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. Calls to the Raiders and Kelly's agent were not immediately returned.
Analysis: 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 has minimal Fantasy value. Don't plan on using him in IDP leagues.
News: According to the Contra Costa Times, the Raiders have made Tommy Kelly one of the highest paid defensive linemen in the league. Kelly signed the deal several hours before the start of free agency, and he will get paid $18.125 million in guaranteed money. If Kelly reaches the end of the contract, it would pay him $50.5 million over seven seasons. Kelly sustained an anterior cruciate ligament tear last season on Oct. 28 against Tennessee but was quickly off crutches and walking without a limp well before the end of the regular season.
Analysis: Kelly is a solid defensive lineman, but he has minimal Fantasy value. Don't plan on using him in IDP leagues, but he should be able to help Oakland's defense in 2008.
News: The Oakland Raiders have had trouble stopping the run all season. Now they have to fix that problem without their most consistent lineman. Tommy 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. Pro Bowl end Derrick Burgess missed two games earlier this season with a calf injury and tackle Gerard Warren is expected to miss his fourth straight game with an injured quadriceps Week 9 against Texans. Now it's Kelly who is out. "The train won't stop because he got hurt like that, so we have to keep going," defensive tackle Terdell Sands said.
Analysis: Kelly's play had impressed his teammates, with seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Warren Sapp predicting Kelly would be better than he has been by the end of his career. That's heady praise for a player who signed with the Raiders in 2004 as an undrafted and unheralded free agent from Mississippi State. 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. Now that Kelly is done for the season, ignore him in all Fantasy formats.
News: The Sacramento Bee reports that Raiders DL Tommy Kelly will have surgery to repair torn knee ligaments (MCL and ACL) and will miss the rest of the season. Rookie Jay Richardson will start in his place.
Analysis: Richardson won't produce enough stats on a weekly basis to warrant use in Fantasy play. Kelly should be cut in all leagues now that he's done for the year.
News: Raiders DE Tommy Kelly injured his right knee in the third quarter of Week 8's 13-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans, according to the Contra Costa Times. "It doesn't sound good," Kiffin said Monday about the injury. "We'll know more Wednesday, but it doesn't sound good at this point."
Analysis: Kelly was a low-end IDP player before getting hurt, and it appears his knee injury might be a serious one. Keep an eye out for more news Wednesday about Kelly's diagnosis.
News: Oakland DL Tommy Kelly had three tackles and a sack Sunday against Miami.
Analysis: Kelly is a low-end DL in IDP leagues and should not be used in Week 6 against San Diego following Oakland's bye week.
News: Warren Sapp has been to seven Pro Bowls, owns a world championship ring and is closing in on 100 career sacks. He thinks those numbers will pale in comparison to what his Oakland teammate Tommy Kelly can accomplish. For weeks, Sapp has been telling anyone who would listen that the Raiders' fourth-year defensive end is one of the best young players in the NFL. Kelly took a big step toward confirming that last week when he blocked a field goal as time expired against Cleveland, helping Oakland snap an 11-game losing streak dating to 2006. "He'll be better than me," Sapp said. "He'll have better numbers than me when his game's over. ... I know him. This kid's picking up everything you could possibly imagine. His game has just evolved."
Analysis: It was the first blocked kick of Kelly's career, moving him one step closer to Sapp in a career that already has striking similarities. Through their first three years in the NFL, both players had comparable numbers. Sapp made 37 starts, 146 tackles, 22 1/2 sacks and five forced fumble; Kelly made 31 starts, 133 tackles, 12 sacks and six forced fumbles. But while Sapp played one position -- defensive tackle -- Kelly has moved from nose guard to tackle to end and played all three with equal success. Kelly has 13 tackles through three games, but zero sacks. He has a lot of potential, but right now is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy DL.
News: Raiders coach Lane Kiffin named DL Tommy Kelly the team's starting right defensive end Monday.
Analysis: Kelly should be considered a low-end DL in IDP leagues and a decent reserve to be picked up during the season.
News: Tommy Kelly (knee) is not among the inactives for Week 15 against the Rams.
Analysis: Despite the fact he played, he is not a recommended Fantasy option in IDP leagues.
News: Raiders DL Lance Johnstone (knee) is out, WR Jerry Porter (hip) is doubtful, while DL Thomas Kelly (knee) is probable for Week 15 vs. St. Louis.
Analysis: None of these players are recommended Fantasy options at this time.
News: Notable Raiders defenders from Week 13 include: LB Thomas Howard (10 total tackles), DL Tommy Kelly (seven total tackles, sack, forced fumble), LB Kirk Morrison (six total tackles, fumble recovery for a touchdown), DL Terdell Sands (four solo tackles, sack), DE Derrick Burgess (four total tackles, 1.5 sacks, forced fumble) and DL Warren Sapp (four total hits, sack, forced fumble).
Analysis: Of these players, Howard, Morrison and Burgess are must-starts at Cincinnati in Week 14.
News: The Raiders gave up just 260 total yards and 21 points against the Chargers in Week 12. DL Derrick Burgess and DL Thomas Kelly both had 1/2 sack. While DB Nnamdi Asomugha had an interception.
Analysis: The Raiders defense have now had four straight solid defensive performances and are starting to turn heads. They are still considered a low-end Fantasy DST, but they could be viewed as a one-week sleeper DST against the Texans in Week 13. Burgess and Asomugha are both solid Fantasy options in IDP leagues.
News: DB Nnamdi Asomugha returned an interception 24 yards for a touchdown and DB Chris Carr returned one 100 yards for a touchdown as the Raiders upset the Steelers 20-13 in Week 8. The Steelers racked up 360 yards but could not overcome four interceptions thrown by QB Ben Roethlisberger. DB Fabian Washington and LB Kirk Morrison had the other interceptions. The Raiders defense also harrassed Roethlisberger for five sacks on the day. DL Derrick Burgess had 2 1/2 to run his total to 7 1/2 on the season. DL Thomas Kelly had 1 1/2 sacks and DL Warren Sapp had the other. Asomugha and Morrison both led the team in tackles with nine.
Analysis: Don't get too excited. This is by far the best performance the Raiders defense has turned in this season. They do have the league's best pass defense, but somehow they still managed to get beat on a weekly basis. They are worth keeping an eye on, but they are not a recommended Fantasy DST for Week 9 against the Seahawks. Asomugha has turned into a surprising IDP player and could be used as a viable No. 2 or No. 3 DB. Morrison and Burgess as solid Fantasy uses. While Sapp and Kelly are marginal Fantasy players and should be used when the matchup is favorable. Carr and Washington are not recommended IDP players.
