Warren Sapp's exit makes Tommy Kelly a top priority

Warren Sapp's official Web site, QBKilla.com, has been reduced down to one page and two words: "I'm done!" Unfortunately for the , things aren't that simple. Life goes on, with or without Sapp's Steelers 43 Polamalu jersey
help.The 35-year-old defensive tackle announced his retirement Friday after spending 13 seasons in the NFL with the Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his four-year stint in the Bay Area, Sapp racked up 171 tackles and 19? sacks in 58 starts with the silver and black.When asked by the San Francisco Chronicle what went into his decision to retire, Sapp answered, "Warren.""It's always been about me. There is no more," he added. "When you get through with the football season, and I'm sitting 4-12, it's me."Sapp's exit is something 78-year-old team owner Al Davis obviously can't control. He can, however, play a big part in keeping another of one his premier linemen on the roster.Tommy Kelly, a 6-foot-6, 300-pounder who can play both end and tackle, is eligible for free agency this offseason. The 27-year-old's fourth year with the Raiders was cut nine games short by a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, but he has spent the past two-plus months rehabilitating it after a season-ending surgery on Oct. 31, 2007.The ex-Mississippi State standout served as a major part of the Raiders' rush 'D' before suffering the Week 8 injury. To that point, Kelly had registered 30 tackles and a sack as a defensive end, upping his career totals to 163 tackles and eight sacks in 49 games.Last offseason, the Jackson, Miss., native declined a long-term offer to stay with the Raiders and instead opted to stick with the $1.35 million salary he earned in '07. The decision solidified Kelly's entrance into the open market after the season; however, the unexpected injury he suffered midway through the year may have him feeling a bit of remorse.Certainly, Kelly's stock will fall because of the severe injury. However, his importance to the Raiders should remain the same.Oakland's 31st-ranked run defense will certainly be hurting more with the loss of Sapp, who has started at DT for the team in every game over the past two seasons. At an equal 300 pounds, Kelly has the ability to play in Sapp's spot; though, his ability to serve as a run-stopping DE is equally as important.Last offseason, the Raiders signed starting defensive tackle Terdell Sands to a four-year, $17 million deal, which included a $4 million signing bonus. This time around, it may not cost the team as much to retain the recuperating Kelly. Losing him, however, would leave multiple voids up front on a defense that can't afford to lose any more manpower down in the trenches."He's been working Steelers 43 Polamalu jersey
extremely hard (to rehabilitate)," Kiffin recently told the Sacramento Bee. "I know he's extremely excited, and hopefully we get this thing done and get Tommy here for a long time."As excited as both parties seem to be, it will ultimately be Davis who makes the decision.If he knows what's best, Tommy Kelly will be an Oakland Raider in 2008.