we drafted keller before we drafted sanchez. When we drafted keller he was perfect for our system and now that we have a rookie hes no good? Maybe that fault lays with the rookie not knowing how to get him the ball then with keller.
Disagree with nearly all the arguments made by the OP-- except one-- Keller has not been consistent enough this season. He's left too many plays out on the field. Has nothing to do with his height and weight-- he is just dropping balls. The point that Keller "isn't having his success of last season" is arguable. There are 7 more games to play, in which it is very conceivable he and his QB will develop a better rapport ( and his targets have been up the past few weeks after 0 catches in the MON night game). Even if he just maintains the pretty even keel (i.e. no weird huge 2x games like last year) he's been on, he'll end up with better numbers, statistically, in every measurable category than last year. I think you can call the different dynamics (rookie year with veteran QB vs. 2nd year with rookie QB) as a wash. Now, If his performance is lacking, it has nothing to do IMO with the "type" of tight end he is. There is no measurement in the NFL more useless and baseless than height. Drew Brees lacked ideal height, he's only a top-3 QB in this league. That RB who just ripped our defense an A-hole, along with LW, Warrick Dunn, Wayne Chrebet, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne, Jerricho Cotchery, Marvin Harrison, Jerry Rice--- just 5 seconds worth of examples and only offense--all lack ideal height-- i could fill 10 pages. 6-2 vs. 6-5, with his athleticism and leaping ability means absolutely nothing and in my recollection has never impacted a play in any way. The only reason Keller's numbers are suffering at all this season (and they're still way above where they were at this time last year) are because of lack of familiarity with a rookie QB, shitty throws on a few open occasions where the play was developing as planned, and drops on a few others where the plays were there to be made. 3 inches and 10 pounds would not have affected any of those 3 reasons.
The only way I would trade Rhodes would be in order to somehow move up to select Eric Berry. Otherwise we need to keep Rhodes. as much as he has not been a super safety like we all thought he would be, if we traded him, there is almost nothing we could get in return that could allow us to forget him, and somehow replace the gaping hole we would create at the safety spot. the only scenario I can think of where it works out for us no matter what, is if we somehow get a trade much like the Abraham trade to Atlanta, where we get Nick Mangold in return.
Dustin Keller should be following Tony Richardson around everywhere, on the field and off. Richardson is one of the best run-blocking fullbacks in the league and Keller could learn a whole lot from him. If Keller's run-blocking improves, we will start seeing him move around even more than he does shifting over to play wide receiver.
^ Dont know if your being sarcastic , but I agree! Im not very impressed with Mr. Rhodes lately. Can I have a pick, one pick please!
Dustin Keller is a big athletic Player , but to me more along the lines of a David Boston WR type. Doesn't wow in blocking and needs separation to have a good shot at the ball for a solid catch. As compared to a Gonzalez or a Clarke , he doesn't control his space , thus leaving defensive back able to pressure him and get a better shot at the ball. I'm sure a portion of that is where the QB is putting it , but he's not scaring anyone! Im not a hater , but wish he could find some open space to catch the ball.
We were looking at Pettigrew though. Pettigrew/Keller would have been an amazing combination at tight end. We still need to bring in a blocking complement to Keller. They like to run two tight end sets, and Keller has not become a blocker at all. We need another one. Hartsock has blocked decently, but the penalties are ridiculous obviously.
safetys not nearly our biggest issue. Rhodes hasnt been great but he hasnt been bad. I would much rather replace age then a player that has all the tools to be great but underachieved.
The OP is just trying to get an argument out there to back him up when he starts a thread trying to get behind signing the very next TE that is cut from a team.... any team... any TE...
Keller has been hugely disappointing this season and on may occasions just doesn't seem to want to compete and make that extra effort to make that catch.
