Most of you called his first TD in the game prediction thread... Great Job. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dustin Keller Emerged on Monday Night One of the problems with games like Monday night's loss at San Diego is that some, even many, positive developments get lost in all the angst. For instance, Dustin Keller finally became a person of interest in the offense. We suspect the rookie tight end with a wide receiver's skillset will have many more productive games than this one, but after having only one ball officially thrown his way in the first two games, good for a 19-yard first down against New England, Keller got out of the gate in a big way at San Diego. He had eight passes thrown to him, seven by Brett Favre, and he caught four of them for 41 yards and his first NFL touchdown, a 13-yard catch-and-run from Favre for the Jets' final TD. Keller is a confident "kid" who turns 24 years old Thursday, in fact, but three days before his birthday at Qualcomm Stadium he was understandably muted. "It's not the ideal scenario for my first actual regular-season touchdown," said Keller, who was the first recipient of a TD pass from Brett the Jet in the Washington preseason game. "I wish it could've been a better situation for us." He, too, had high praise for his teammates, specifically for the graybeards working with him at the TE position. "We've got a great group of guys. For mentors, I couldn't ask for two better guys than Bubba Franks and Chris Baker," he said. "They're really trying to just help me learn. I know week by week I should get better." http://www.newyorkjets.com/blog/posts/706-dustin-keller-emerged-on-monday-night
Its still going to be a process but I think by the end of the year he will be a legitimate every down threat on offense.
He's going to have to be a help in sunday since Zona has a decent secondary... Rolle and Wilson are good safeties and Hood is not a write off. The running game and Keller could have a good day. LW and the ST crew need to be what they were against the Chargers.
Keller has soo much upside its unbelievable. The fact that hes contributing already is a huge plus. Keller will be one of the best receiving (TEs) for 10 years.
I'd like to see that, but don't get ahead of yourself. He has to actually do it on the field consistently first.
I'm not going to get too excited yet. For the same reason I didn't pick him up in fantasy, it seems that he isn't a regular part of the offense yet. He has shown flashes when he gets the call, which makes me excited for the future. However those opportunities have not been consistent. It seems Schotty gives him the ball in innocuous situations for the most part. Part of that could be his blocking (I haven't been able to key on it, if anyone else has better insight?), and part of that is probably that he plays alongside four solid veteran receiving options in Coles, Cotch, Baker, and Franks...which makes total sense. He appears to have explosive ability, and I think a good QB like Burt won't be able to help but exploit that in more important situations. That is the only way he will be able to gain the confidence of the offensive playcallers. Preseason and garbagetime (his 2 TDs so far), as we all know, is not a true indicator although it bodes well for the future. I think it depends on how we do this week. I don't think he'll get opportunities if we are doing well. I think he needs to come through in some tight situations first to really break out. If we crash and burn our way into the bye, he may be inserted into a (hopefully) adjusted offensive gameplan sooner rather than later. It's bittersweet for his progress, but I'll take winning over showing off our emerging goto guy. That's one thing that'll keep me patient.:up:
Part of it is definitely the blocking. He was lined up next to Woody one play and there was a pass-rusher right in front of him and his number was called, but he was so caught up running his route that he left the rusher unblocked, not even chipping him before he started his route, and the guy was right in Favre's face uncontested. It's like they called a blitz on that side because they know there wasn't going to be a block. I can't remember the specific result of the play but I remember being pissed about it, I'll have to catch it on a re-watch during bye weekend unless someone remembers it for me.
DK is going to be huge for us...once he gets teh confidence of the playing at a high level in the /nfl its going to be a sight...look at his highlight film...he gets so fired up...we havnt seen that yet...but it will come with time...as for Sunday...he could be huge...the Arizona secondary is above average...Rolle is making the transition to safety, but he is an above average player...Wilson is not good...he is a great safety...he is top 3, one of the most underrated players in the NFL...then you have the corners...Hood is good hahaha and I dont know if Rodgers-Cromartie has gotten substantial time yet...it will be a challenge...
Don't underrate the Cardinals front 7. It's really good...though I think they lost Berry...sucks for them, oh well.
He's looking good for the future--but not so good for the present, in my opinion. He seemed unable to understand the defense against SD, at least when it came to identifying blitzes and adjusting him game at the line. Still, he could be an offensive force later in his career, maybe even later this year, and he seems like a good kid.
Keller and Stuckey have the best chance to succeed since they are not used to playing for noodle arm chad where plays ended as soon as any pressure was put on
If they rely on him more at first as a wideout, I think his development will go more quickly, split wide more often. He is a detriment as a blocker, because not only is his blocking technique flawed, his blitz recognition seems nonexistent. If they ease him into blocking while still giving him reps or maybe use him to block safeties and DBs on outside runs, I like his chances.
He caught 4 of 8 and that's a breakout performance? Colour me cynical for now. Still love his potential though.
They will though. Remember he's only played 3 professional games. By the end of the year will be on the field a lot.
The 1st round is a crap shoot..If the Jets did not take Vernon, people would b pissed. Just like they were pissed we took Mangold and Keller in the 1at. Brick may not pan out...Goulston may not pan out...However, they were both the right "safe" picks at that spot
