Tommy Kelly is Rich
 

This FA period could get crazy. Lot of money for a guy like Kelly unless I missed something.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/s...e=NFLHeadlines

The Oakland Raiders stepped forward Thursday on the eve of free agency and signed Tommy Kelly to the largest contract ever given to a defensive tackle. Kelly, a defensive end scheduled to move to defensive tackle this season, signed a seven-year, $50.5 million contract Thursday that has $18.125 million in guarantees. In the first three years of the deal, he will make $25.125 million.


The Raiders' plan is for the 300-pound Kelly to replace the retiring Warren Sapp as the three-technique defensive tackle in the Raiders' 4-3 defense. The move is similar to the one made last year by the Detroit Lions' Cory Redding, a franchise player who signed a seven-year, $47.5 million deal last summer, the highest among defensive tackles at the time.

Like Kelly, Redding was an effective run-stopping end with some pass-rush ability so the Lions believed he could move to tackle, work next to Shaun Rogers and create a solid 1-2 interior defensive tackle punch. The Raiders believe Kelly can emerge as one of the league's best interior defenders.

Kelly gained the confidence of Raiders coaches by averaging five tackles a game as a starter at defensive end. He's had 13 career sacks, and the Raiders believe he can be a pass-rushing force at defensive tackle because of his quickness.

First, though, Kelly has to get healthy. He's coming off a torn ACL that limited him to seven games last year. He had 30 tackles and a sack in those games. Kelly was going to be a highly coveted defender in free agency because he could play defensive tackle in a 4-3 or defensive end in a 3-4.

He came to the Raiders in 2004 as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State.

That is a lot of coin to pay Johnny Dangerously's brother.

:LOL:

Truthfully, I never heard of him.

Couldnt they have signed him for less, then drafed Dorsey or Ellis, which ever one falls, for less money than that???

God I love senile Al.

Maybe they'll trade down.

That is almost a Carl move, overpaying for a part time player with average production.

Somewhere, Jared Allen is grinning from ear to ear.

So, this previously undrafted free agent who is recovering from a torn ACL and is being expected to change positions is now the highest paid D-Tackle in NFL history??????? :cuss:


Oh wait it was done by the Raiders? ROFL :)

Wow the raiders are dumbasses

All this means is that the Chiefs should try to get into mix for a guy like Kris Jenkins. Every FA DT is going to be majorly overpriced.

Ellis or Dorsey in KC baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good, hopefully this allows them to pass on Dorsey and/or Ellis.

Ya....who?

That is a ton of money for someone who has proven nothing about himself. The raiders just keep throwing money at players who don't deserve it.