The way to keep him on the Jets. as some people have pointed out, is to make him a Richie Anderson type H-back. That kind of player fits in the offense the Jets are likely to run and maintains him as an outlet receiver for Sanchez. The Jets could do it as an experiment for 2012 and try to figure out whether re-signing Keller makes sense.
What's your basis for that? We both know the offense hindered Keller's production. Despite that, he showed he can catch in traffic AND be a red zone threat. He commands value.
The point is that he doesn't fit into the type of offense that Sparano has typically been involved in in the NFL.
The "experiment" is called Joe McKnight. Who should be filling in for Tomlinson's role and catching passes in the flat and short over the middle. I'm not sure the front office and coaching staff are going to be doing any experiments with their jobs on the line.
That approach has merit, but the downside is if it doesn't work out, this time next year Keller has no trade value at all. Right?
Keller has the same problem everywhere else that he has on the Jets. he's a tweener. Not fast enough to be a receiver, not big enough to be a TE. He's probably worth more like a 4th round pick as LTJF said. I could see the Jets maybe getting a 3rd for him from the Rams due to Schotty being new there and still not understanding that the NFL is a 6'4" or taller league right now for TE's.
It's not clear that Keller has much trade value now. I think the Jets might well need the asset next season more than the value moving forward. I really think it's a make-or-break season for the franchise that will sharply color the next three or four seasons.
In addition to the reasons bradwaysux listed, he's only got one more year on his contract as well. We'd probably be lucky to get a third. The most TD's he has had in a season are five. He isn't much of a red zone threat. This year was his best year yardage wise (815). Maybe it's the offense or maybe it's just that he isn't a top notch TE. He's only got one year left on his contract. What do you think teams should give up for that? A third or a fourth sounds about right. A third is probably generous. If someone offers a second, that should come with a hummer from Tanny.
Let's put it this way. If he were a free agent, how much money would he get? 4 years $18 million? Here are the last 3 significant TE's to get traded: Greg Olson from Bears to Panthers (3rd) 4 year / 24 million Kellen Winslow from Browns to Bucs (2nd + next year's 5th) 6 yr / 36 million Jeremy Shockey from Giants to Saints (2nd + 5th) 5 yr / 26 million Olson is the most recent and significant. I'd say a 3rd is market value. You're not getting Winslow/Shockey value, especially since neither trade really panned out.
Seeing as Keller doesn't fit Sparanos scheme I could understand why they would want to trade him. Waiting and seeing whether or not he fits into Sparano's scheme is tricky because if you wait and his play diminishes then your stuck with less value as opposed to a possible 3rd round pick this offseason.
well admittedly not too much analysis behind the Pettigrew analogy, but i am not too far off in comparison. But i can tell you this, there is a very high probability that you value Keller higher than the rest of the league does
Getting shot of Keller just creates another hole, that may be upgraded. I think he should generate alot of interest though. I'm surprised that they would even think about trading DK, hes looked very good this season, and by that I mean his whole game.
If some moron was willing to give a 2nd for him, the Jets would be assholes to not take it. But I doubt anyone would ever consider giving a 2nd for him, you could do better in later rounds in the draft.
He had a lot of drops and doesn't block as well as a tight end should. But he had an overall good year.
Why does Sanchez need all these weapons if we are a ground and pound team? He doesn't need Holmes, Keller or Burress...he needs a good run blocking line, strong RBs and serviceable WRs. You can't pour money into WR, QB and pass catching TE and then try to be a run-first team.
If we could trade Keller away for a 3rd and sign someone like Fred Davis or somehow get a stop gap player like Tony Gonzalez.
