Keller's issues are ones of chemistry and experience. Once he masters hot routes and where to slide in a zone he'll be a good tight end. Once he develops a chemistry with Mark Sanchez, he'll be a great one. It takes time for tight ends to make the transition from college to the pros. It's a whole new position at the top level.
Remember, there were rumors the Jets were interested in Brandon Pettigrew at 17. The Jets better realize we need another tight end out there because right now, we're stuck with Keller at tight end. I agree they should be more creative with him, a lot more creative. But it's hard when your other TE's were both signed after training camp ended. We need to prioritize getting a good complement to Keller this offseason. Hartsock is decent, but he scares nobody, and his penalties have often outweighed his blocking. Mulligan, who knows... I don't buy that much. He was a rookie. I can't complain about the numbers he put up. It usually takes WR's and TE's time to adjust in the NFL, and Keller was pretty good as a rookie. He disappeared down the stretch, but so did Favre, and Keller was a rookie, the league adjusted to him. Now, he has to adjust back, and the Jets have to adjust as well. Keller has a very useful skillset. It probably wasn't worth trading up for, trading up to get a tight end is never the right choice, but we need to give him the opportunities.
Keller is having as good a year this year as he had with Favre last year. The biggest problem for Keller is we don't have a running back who the other team needs to watch with a safety and we don't have a slot reciever. Teams can cover Keller with a free safety when they are in their regular D or a CB on third and longs. Get back Leon, get a slot reciever who can get seperation underneath and Keller will become a much bigger factor.
I agree... that should be a priority... I wonder if there is any FA that can do the trick... Chambers for the KC Chiefs has been a pretty good slot if I'm not mistaken...
Brett Favre knew how to use him. Keller is a stud. case closed. Sanchez just needs to learn how to look people off and go through his progressions better.
Very well. Consider this. Any proficient offense will feature the QB spreading the ball over many different receivers. How many different receivers does Sanchez spread the ball to? I can count up to 4 or 5 at maximum, usually down at 3. No fucking wonder it's easy as hell to cover the passing game.
It is hard to have more passing options when you only have two or three receivers going out in patterns. How many times have the Jets run four wide sets, or three WR sets, empty backfields? Not very often. Why? Because they are a running team.
I read a very interesting article before the season started that pointed out that TE's do not make a big statistical jump between year 1 and year 2, in fact, the numbers usually are quite similar from the rookie year. It said not to expect a significant increase in Kellers stats this year and they were right on the money. They said from year 2 to year 3 is where we will start seeing growth statistically and on the field.
I do not think the OP is totally off base, I just say let's see year 2 with a hopefully improved Sanchez.
