2) Do you know why Gronk is so good in the Pats system? It is because he can block so they can run their hurry up and teams don't know whether to expect a run or pass since he can do both. For a pass happy offense like NO, Jimmy doesn't need to block. With Sparano we are going to run a lot, and Keller is not a good blocker. 3) Keller is not elite. Keller can routinely be taken out of game when defenses focus on him and he gets bumped on his routes easily. He also has trouble reading if it is a blitz and breaking off his route and turning to Sanchez for the ball quickly. Definitely not in the elite category of TE's. Those were my big problems with what you were saying
If you can get a 2nd for Keller I think you jump on it, but my guess is it'd be more likely a 3rd. I'm admittedly not his biggest fan and don't think he's that big of a mismatch as a receiver to account for his lack of blocking skills. With that said, if there were odds that Anthony Fasano is cut in Miami and signs with the Jets I'd bet heavily on it.
We just disagree on the first point. Gronk is so good because he is big, has great hands and Brady puts the ball exactly where only he can catch it. This especially shows up in the red zone. Keller is more talented than Hernandez and Hernandez had the third highest receiving yard total for a TE in the league while missing a couple games and being on the team with Gronk who was first. I said Keller was easily elite to top tier and in a highly sought after group that is extremely limited. I stand by that. Keller is a receiving TE and one of the best in the league. He is an adequate pass blocker but not a run blocker. Even though he does not run block effectively enough, if used properly, he accomplishes much the same thing by taking defenders out of the play because he must be accounted for. Keller's biggest problem is that he does not have a QB that, at this point in his career, can consistently get the ball to him. The most effective TEs in the league don't have to worry about where the ball is going to be on every throw. There is a big difference in what a receiver can do with a ball thrown behind him and one that hits him in stride. If you don't think Keller would put up Gronkowski or Graham numbers with Brady or Brees fine, but he would beat Hernandez numbers.
stop it keller is hernandez lite ... hernandez does everything keller does but has FAR more yac ability and gronks receiving ability if far from overrated
Hernandez is bigger, more athletic and has better hands than Keller and a vastly superior TE. Hernandez problem is that he is not a good blocker at all. That's why you always see him split wide, in the slot, and most recently, in the backfield.
Who would give up a 1 or 2 for him? Would be lucky to get a 3rd. More likely would be a 4th because teams will know that he is not valued by the new OC.
How can you call elite a guy who gets hit on his helmete by the ball routinely? He's one of the most frutrating players to watch because he's almost as inconsistent as Sanchez. The only reason I wouldn't trade him is because he's played for 3 years with Sanchez. The only player to do so on our team (sad). We need STABILITY!
Physically Hernandez is shorter (6' 1" versus 6' 2") and lighter than Keller (245 versus 255). Keller is stronger and faster (4.66 versus 4.55). Brady and Hernandez are unquestionably better than Sanchez and Keller.
A third would be the most we could get and I'm not even sure of that. He is a disappointing 1st and almost everybody drops at least one round when it comes to getting traded. It might be a 4th if they actually do trade him.
Hernandez may not have run a great 40 at the combine, but he is easily faster and quicker than Keller on the football field, where it counts. He also has better moves, field awareness and hands than Keller.
How can you not see the sluggish routes that Keller runs? The slow manner of reacting to the field of play after he catches the ball? The lack of foot speed? It's obvious when you watch the two in the same game twice a year.
Keller did have a pretty good year, but I think a lot of that had to do with Mark losing Cotch, Braylon and Brad Smith.
I wouldn't quit on Keller, despite his many flaws, because he's not necessarily easily replaceable. I think the Jets were forced to use Keller in a more traditional tight end capacity due to the absence of a reliable pass catching second option at the position and the need for Sanchez to have a checkdown option. I'd love to see the Jets go out and get Joel Dreessen in free agency. He's a good runblocker who would really fill that role well, and allow the Jets to make better use of Keller's athleticism. This is a really piss poor draft for tight ends, so we've got to address this via free agency. -X-
Fair enough on the first point, but I think you are overlooking Gronk's blocking. He held his own fairly well against Suggs on some plays. I disagree on the Hernandez, but again we won't argue more about it. Well the big thing about Dustin is he seems a tad slower than the top TE's on breaking out routes, after catch, and doesn't have open field moves. I'm not sure if he would beat Hernandez numbers. From what I see of Dustin is that he needs to be a little more physical mentally. He never seems to abuse the rules that favor WR's by pushing off or creating separation. Now saying all this, I still would like to see Dustin stay unless we can get a real steal for him. He has been Sanchez's only constant target from day 1 and Sanchez and him have a good connection in the RZ.
It really depends on what you can get for him. A team like Cleveland has a bunch of picks and might be a good fit depending on what they do with QB and the draft. You could sell me on swapping 2nd round picks and picking up an extra 4th for Keller.
