NAPA – The news of a record-setting contract awarded to a defensive tackle broke, and many asked the same question.

Who is Tommy Kelly? Kelly's seven-year, $50.5 million contract with $18.125 million guaranteed was a record at the time he signed it just before the start of free agency.

The Raiders are looking for Kelly to anchor the defensive line by controlling the interior against the run and bringing pressure up the middle as a pass rusher as the three technique, meaning he lines up on the opposing guard's outside shoulder.

But if you don't know who Kelly is, he really doesn't care.

"Why should I worry about somebody that probably doesn't know me?" Kelly said. "If he's an expert he supposed to know who I am. It's not like I came off the bench. I've been starting for three years.

Coaches and teammates believe Kelly is set to dominate.

The three technique must be a playmaker. Some teams rely on bigger players (330 pounds and up) that clog the middle to stuff the run. Smaller players in the spot like the player Kelly is replacing, Warren Sapp, weigh 300 or less and use skill to dominate.

So where does the 6-foot-6, 330-pound Kelly fit?

"He can move like a 295-pounder as far as running stunts and rushing the passer," said defensive-line coach Keith Millard. "He's got that type of athleticism and quickness, but the good thing on top of that is he's big enough and strong enough where he can stuff the run, too."

The Raiders don't want Kelly to be another Sapp. And he's too different from Sapp to try to emulate him.

His size will help him hold up against the run better. Kelly won't try to finesse his way to the backfield. Instead, he'll get there by shoving offensive linemen out of his way or driving them into the backfield.

Raiders defensive end Greg Spires played with Sapp in Tampa Bay. He said the three technique has to be the "stud" up front and that Kelly can be that in his own way.

"Warren's a Hall of Fame guy, period," Spires said. "Kelly has the potential to be a Pro Bowl guy. I think by Warren being here for a few years, I think that helped him out to learn that position."

Kelly was undrafted out of Mississippi State but cracked the starting lineup as a rookie. He appeared to be on his way to his best season last year before he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee.

That, along with a relatively nondescript career, made the sum he signed for shocking.

"When you're not winning you're not going to know about me… " Kelly said. "I don't worry about that. You can't worry about what other people say. I worry about what my coaches and teammates say and I go from there."

Millard said Kelly should have a 10-sack season now that he's playing his best position.

But he might be most valuable in stopping the run, where the Raiders ranked 31st in 2007.

"He's a force, he's strong as an ox," said head coach Lane Kiffin. "…When he did play in there at times before, he was dominant. … He was extremely hard for guards to reach, more of a knock-back player. He's an old-fashioned, head up and knock the guy straight backwards guy."

Kelly might not play at 330. He tends to drop weight during camp, and the Raiders haven't set a target.

The team likes that Kelly's pass rush is looking as good as ever and his technique is solid. He is showing good instincts against the run and knocking blockers around.

And he's not daunted by Millard's sacks prediction.

"That's what I plan on getting myself," Kelly said. "Keith, he has a high regard for me. Keith was a great defensive player and he's worked with me every day for the last two, three years. So if he thinks I can get that, I know I can get that."

There's another set of numbers Kelly can reach for with his new deal: the dinner check.

"He better," said defensive end Jay Richardson. "Because I'm going to walk out on the check."

Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/ blogs.