Not yet of course, but what about in 2-3 more yrs? This question is still premature, but I did some research and found that he had the second best rookie season among all the elite TE in their respective rookie seasons. The only TE who had a better rookie season than Keller was Shockey. Have a look at some of the elite and/or upcoming TEs rookie seasons and compare them with Dustin Kellers, whose last 4 games only produced 8 catches about 80 yds and no TD due to an ineffective injured QB play. Code: Player Games Starts Catches Yards Avg. Longest TDs A. Gates 15 11 24 389 16.2 48 2 T. Gonzalez 16 0 33 368 11.2 30 2 J. Witten 15 7 35 347 9.9 36T 1 D. Clark 10 10 29 340 11.7 42 1 C. Cooley 16 9 37 314 8.5 31 6 G. aniels 14 12 34 352 10.4 33T 5 Z. Miller 16 16 44 444 10.1 28 3 T. Heap 12 6 16 206 12.9 24T 1 A. Crumpler 16 12 25 330 13.2 57T 3 J. Shockey 15 14 74 894 12.1 30 2 Shoceky 2008 12 11 50 483 9.7 26 0 [B]Dustin Keller 16 11 48 535 11.1 54 3[/B] Reason why I put Shockeys 2008 stats was because his rookies season produced the most catches and yards than his any other season. But since then, he never really lived up to his standards/expectations. Just a few extra TDs and thats about it. In 2008, Shockey was with Saints, a pass first team who probably had the best passing offense IMO. Kellen Winslow played only two games the first two yrs, probably due to injuries. He can't be compared for that matter. Dustin Keller had 7 receptions in his first 6 games for 90 yards. Whatever the reasoning you would want to give for other TEs not having a monster year, its fine. Keller has his own reasoning for not reaching 1000 yds as well. One, he had a first yr QB in the system. Two, he had two TEs ahead of him on the depth chart. Three, the QB was ineffective and injured in the last 4 games. The list goes on and on... Everytime I look at Keller's stats, I feel he will become the best catching TE in the NFL with in a couple of years. He definately wasn't the best last yr though. With our run first offense that we have installed, Im sure Keller's numbers will increase with the PAs with two TE sets. He is a great weapon in passing situations. One of the best hands on the team and has an excellent tackle breaking skills. I liked Baker as his hands were pretty good too, but his speed was a concern. He would have been a perfect compliment to Keller as he could have been the blocking TE. Regardless, blocking TEs are dime a dozen and there was no need to pay him multi millions a yr. Probably not a bad move after all. There were rumors that Giants were interested in him and probably would have selected him with the 31st pick with the Shockey situation (or was he traded already?). It wasn't guaranteed the Giants would take him though. Jets decided not to take that chance and picked Keller one pick ahead of the Giants by trading up. That move looks to be a genius one now that I look at what Keller showed in his rookie season. If he continues to grow, he will surely make us forget the Kyle Brady and Anthony Becht disaster. The only knock on him is, he is 24 yrs old already and will be 25 before mid season. However, there is a learning curve in the NFL regarless of the age and Im sure Keller will match the odds and produce a few 1000 yds season over his career assuming he stays healthy. Thoughts?
Shockey was out half of last season and it was his first year in a new offense. If healthy this yr he should put up better stats. Not sure why being 24 is a knock on Keller. If anything it's a bonus as he has his entire prime in front of him. Based on his rookie season he has the potential to be a very good receiving TE. You also need to take into consideration that he was Favre's number 1 security blanket last yr. more than any receiver we have. A sure handed TE is a QB's best friend. Let's see what Keller does without the gunslinger back there. Tony Gonzalez is by far the best receiving TE in the league and is why he'll be a first ballot HOF'er. Yet I think DK has the potential to be very good, pro bowl caliber.
DKNY's numbers would have been a lot better if Manstupid didn't hold a grudge against him for a single drop in the frisco game. The only question with DK is his blocking.
a great TE is a young QB's best friend, so sayeth Troy Aikman. When I think about Sanchez to Keller up the seam, I drool.
we were having this discussion last year during the season. Keller's stats in his rookie year are better than nearly all (if not all) of the All-time great TE's in NFL history. that said, so were Shockey's Rookie stats, and he clearly isnt on the path to be one of the all time greats at this point. Keller imo is going to be one hell of a player in the next 2 years, I think he is going to be pretty similar to a poor man's Antonio Gates in just 2 years.
He definitely hit the rookie wall last year. I think they will findore ways to get him the ball and with the way Sanchez throws the seam pass so well I would imagine Keller is going to become a big part of the offense in the future
the only problem i see that might be an issue is favre used keller as his dump off reciever. many of the catches keller had were probably not the original play called. none the less the guy has earned the right to be a viable option for our next qb.
Even in his last yr in NYG, he had 57 catches for 619 yards, 3 TDs. Decent but not outstanding. He played 12 games for NOS last year, more than enough for him to surpass DKs number but didn't. As for the age factor, the only reason that can be a knock is, if he was 21 or 22, he would have had a longer career with even more potential to learn. But now he'll be jumping into his prime in a yr or two. I am basing my opinion solely based on rookie season stats. With the exception of Shockey (and Carlson that I just realized) Keller is the better catching TE of all, even better than Gonzalez. He will be in action even more this yr since he'll have a yr under his belt, and we don't have a #2 or #1 WR this yr (depends on how you look at Cotch).
The blocking, that was a known. I'm very excited about Keller. He did play some smart ball last year, and was drawing penalties in key situations. Meaning drawing penalties against him, in the Jets' favor. Nobody gets hurt there.
