Former Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Tommy Kelly is headed to New England after agreeing to a two-year deal with the Patriots, according to a report from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Tommy Kelly agrees to deal with Patriots, according to report
Add Tommy Kelly to the list of departures from the Raiders defensive line as he is reportedly headed to New England.
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The 32-year-old Kelly will add some depth to the Patriots defensive line as he has experience playing both defensive tackle and defensive end. Kelly spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Raiders, starting every game since 2008. He recorded just one sack last season, but combined for 14.5 sacks in 2010 and 2011. In New England, Kelly will join a depth chart which already includes Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Myron Pryor and Brandon Deaderick on the inside.
Kelly is the latest defensive lineman to leave Oakland this offseason as the Raiders undergo significant change. Desmond Bryant and Matt Shaughnessy already signed with new teams while Richard Seymour remains a free agent. Those three, combined with Kelly, combined to start 48 games for the Raiders last season.
Although he may be coming off a down season, Kelly is just one year removed from arguably the best season of his career. Kelly finished 2011 with 41 total tackles while posting career-highs with 7.5 sacks, five pass deflections and an interception.
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