Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 29, 2008 9:44:40 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/491/story/510927.html
Raiders re-sign Kelly
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
The Oakland Raiders resigned defensive lineman Tommy 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. Sapp said at one point last season Kelly could be better than he was by the end of his career. That was heady praise for a player who signed with the Raiders in 2004 as an undrafted and unheralded free agent from Mississippi State.
Oakland needs help on its defensive line after allowing a league-worst 4.8 yards per carry and finishing second-to-last by allowing 145.9 yards per game.
Kelly finished last season with 27 solo tackles, one sack and a blocked kick that helped seal Oakland's first win of the season. He has 13 sacks in four seasons in the NFL.
The Raiders have done a good job keeping free agents early this offseason, placing the exclusive franchise tag on cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, which guarantees him at least $9.465 million in 2008. They also re-signed running back Justin Fargas to a $12 million, three-year contract that guarantees him $6 million.
The Raiders were unable to come to deals with any of their other free agents before they could begin negotiating with other teams, including defensive end Chris Clemons, quarterback Josh McCown or receiver Jerry Porter.
Raiders re-sign Kelly
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
The Oakland Raiders resigned defensive lineman Tommy 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. Sapp said at one point last season Kelly could be better than he was by the end of his career. That was heady praise for a player who signed with the Raiders in 2004 as an undrafted and unheralded free agent from Mississippi State.
Oakland needs help on its defensive line after allowing a league-worst 4.8 yards per carry and finishing second-to-last by allowing 145.9 yards per game.
Kelly finished last season with 27 solo tackles, one sack and a blocked kick that helped seal Oakland's first win of the season. He has 13 sacks in four seasons in the NFL.
The Raiders have done a good job keeping free agents early this offseason, placing the exclusive franchise tag on cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, which guarantees him at least $9.465 million in 2008. They also re-signed running back Justin Fargas to a $12 million, three-year contract that guarantees him $6 million.
The Raiders were unable to come to deals with any of their other free agents before they could begin negotiating with other teams, including defensive end Chris Clemons, quarterback Josh McCown or receiver Jerry Porter.