A fair deal for Keller would be something like 5 years / between 25-30 million dollars, with 12-15 guaranteed.
While Finley is bigger and more athletic, I think Keller is a better pure receiver. He runs sharper routes, is better at creating separation, and even with the drops I think Keller has better hands.
He’s not getting paid anytime soon because we really dont know how he is going to fit into Sparano’s offense... If he does, he shouldnt get paid more than 4-5 million. He’s good, but not someone thats going to be a mismatch nightmare and is only a one dimensional TE. Gronk got that money because he is not only a huge threat in the passing game, but a great blocker. Two way TE’s are hard to come by now...
I have a reason to believe Keller is a secret agent from Terran Dominion. By that what I mean is... I believe Keller is a psychic ghost unit from Terran Dominion. He makes himself very visible then all of a sudden goes into cloaking mode, disappearing from everyone's sight - and he can stay cloaking for quite a long time. From this, I am forced to conclude that Keller is actually very high-ranking officer in the ghost squad.
Keller, IMO, is more like a slot WR than a TE, so I wouldn't want to pay him too much as well. I'd take Finley over him as well, mainly because Finley can block better, and is a physical mismatch. I also think Finley is better at going in the middle and catching passes than Keller, which is probably what we need the most with Holmes and Hill on the outside. Keller can have money, but I wouldn't go nuts.
The lack of respect Keller gets on this board is shocking to me. The guy is a very good TE. Not sure about the $ he will command but it's very important to get him locked up long term, IMO.
slot receiver that is unable to give you good YAC. He's a TE who doesn't block and seems to not always be there mentally when he's on the field. If it take $4M to keep him, let him walk.
that is not a good argument for setting jets salary. everybody is a monster when Brady is passing to them, now we have Sanchez
You guys don't seem to have a clue about Gronk's contract. Let me enlighten you. Basically its an 8 year deal that breaks down to 2 four year blocks. The first averages $4.3MM/year starting this season. Then the Pats have an option to extend the deal another 4 years that would average around $9MM/yr Gronk was due to make "just" $1.3MM over the next TWO seasons. Instead he got an $8MM signing bonus that can prorated over a very manageable 8 seasons. And at a very manageable $4MM/yr for the next 4 years, the Pats have the best all round TE in the league for a very reasonable price. Plus they get a chance to get out of the deal in 2016 if they deem Gronks value to be less than the $9MM they will have to pay him for the next 4 years. If he plays out the entire 8 years, it will average around $6.3MM/yr. Not a whole lot when you consider his numbers in his first 2 years...and that he still has UPSIDE....and he's a top 5 blocker among TE's BOTTOM LINE - The Pats are going to be paying Gronk $4.3MM/yr for the next 4 years. So what is Keller worth in comparison? If you think Gronk set the bar, then anything more than $4/MM would be stupid. Remember Gronk had 3 more TD's last season than Keller has had his entire 4 year career
He doesn't need much of a pay raise. Keller was paid as a 1st round pick and has played mostly as expected over the last few seasons on that contract. I think this new contract is more about longevity than a huge pay raise. 4-5 mill per year is fine.
I could see Keller getting around $4-$5M / year w/ $15M in guarantees. That would be enough I would think.
If new system won't work for Keller, there is no point in upping his contract. If he fits well in Sparano's O, he'll be demanding top $$ next year & it's better to work something out now. But then again, who's to say he won't be holding out for even more $$ after great season, regardless of whether tey up his contract now. So the choices are: either Keller sucks & you don't care what he wants, or he's great & there will be restructuring next year. Either way, it makes no sense to change his contract now. IMO, add incentives now & plan on restructuring next year.
This isn't the only timing consideration. I don't think I saw anyone mention what we were talking about a few months ago about Keller which is huge, is this is his contract year coming up. So if the Jets don't redo his K, then he could conceivably be gone for nothing next year. Yet the timing of bringing in a new O, questions about his role in a new O, and perhaps biggest of all where does the organization see Sanchez as the coming year progresses (since so many here like Keller becuase he is argued to be so great with Sanchez, about which I am meh), makes it hard to justify redoing his K right now. They frankly should either have traded him or, I am thinking now, maybe extend him one more year at a resonable number, if he would go for that. Of course he's probably hoping a multiyear extension, but would he settle for less? Perhaps. I dont think he's got great market value right now, meaning perceived value over what he's making now.
If I were GM I'd give him 18million 4 years. Can't block worth a lick but is a good receiver for a TE while inconsistent he is better than most.
What if he doesn't work out in the new offense? Why not just extend him a year? See how it looks next off season? In any event the key to a multiyear deal like that is how much is guaranteed.
