Dustin Keller Visiting Patriots 4/30

FreeTedWilliams said:

Plus he and Revis can go out in the new Meadowlands for the coin flip.

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Please make it so.

Have you seen Aaron Hernandez Block, either?

We were perfectly happy with two blocking TEs and a "move TE/H-Back" receiver . Hoomanawanui fills the role of good blocking TE just fine, just don't ask him to frequently get open, and catch. If he occasionally gets open, he can catch though.

Remember we are merely trying to get a backup TE to the All-World TE we do have.

Who cares if he's still any good. Sign him just to piss off the JI cretins. Well worth it.

AzPatsFan said:

Have you seen Aaron Hernandez Block, either?

We were perfectly happy with two blocking TEs and a "move TE/H-Back" receiver . Hoomanawanui fills the role of good blocking TE just fine, just don't ask him to frequently get open, and catch. If he occasionally gets open, he can catch though.

Remember we are merely trying to get a backup TE to the All-World TE we do have.

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I was responding to a post that called him a TE1.
He is not.
That doesn't mean he can't be effective in a role.

AndyJohnson said:

Have you seen him block? He is not a TE1. Strictly a receiver.

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Yes, but Hernandez wasn't much of a blocker either. This team put him in a position where he was generally blocking smaller guys. I assume Keller would be the move TE and have similar responsibilities.

His production, and measurables, compare to Hernandez. He certainly would help the TE situation, moreso than any of the comparable (ie, move tight ends) TEs in the draft, from what I can tell.

BradyManny said:

Yes, but Hernandez wasn't much of a blocker either. This team put him in a position where he was generally blocking smaller guys. I assume Keller would be the move TE and have similar responsibilities.

His production, and measurables, compare to Hernandez. He certainly would help the TE situation, moreso than any of the comparable (ie, move tight ends) TEs in the draft, from what I can tell.

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Once again, I am responding to a post that called him a TE1.
I don't know how telling me how he is as a TE2 refutes that.

I would love this. Keller was always very competitive - even in spite of his
marriage to the butt fumbler..

I would love for Keller to come to the Pats. I dont know if people let the hate for the jets cloud their judgement but the guy was good in new york. He is a massive upgrade over what we had last year in Ho-Man and Mulligan.

I fully believe that Keller is better than any TE in the AFC East other than Gronk.

breakin said:

I would love for Keller to come to the Pats. I dont know if people let the hate for the jets cloud their judgement but the guy was good in new york. He is a massive upgrade over what we had last year in Ho-Man and Mulligan.

I fully believe that Keller is better than any TE in the AFC East other than Gronk.

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But that's before he teared everything. I don't think he will be ever back to his pre-injury self.

QFFL said:

But that's before he teared everything. I don't think he will be ever back to his pre-injury self.

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Thanks, Doc...fortunately everything he "teared" is capable of healing...

breakin said:

I would love for Keller to come to the Pats. I dont know if people let the hate for the jets cloud their judgement but the guy was good in new york. He is a massive upgrade over what we had last year in Ho-Man and Mulligan.

I fully believe that Keller is better than any TE in the AFC East other than Gronk.

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Depends on how he comes back. I think Charles Clay, for example, would make an excellent pairing with Gronk.

O

KontradictioN said:

Depends on how he comes back. I think Charles Clay, for example, would make an excellent pairing with Gronk.

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Of course he would but when is he available?

And for people saying he's a backup, I don't trust Gronk to be playing at critical times anymore so I think the Patriots need a TE who will be productive in the offense from a receiving standpoint. Whether that's Keller I do not know but I still think they need a TE in the draft that can fill that role eventually.

Jackson 2 said:

Thanks, Doc...fortunately everything he "teared" is capable of healing...

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I'll bet he teared up a little when he heard that.

Seriously, if Keller were back in prime shape I don't think he'd still be pounding the streets looking for a job. With an injury that severe, "healing" doesn't return you to 100% soon, if ever. But if he can play at a level to contribute, he seems like a smart addition -- especially given the abysmal slate of move TEs in this draft class.

I don't mind the Patriots exploring Keller as an option and even signing him for the vet. minimum however, carrying two Tight Ends, most likely to be 1 and 2 on the depth chart, both returning from major knee reconstruction should be questioned.

It'll be interesting to see if a potential Keller signing is made before or after the draft. Belichick may pull some shenanigans and sign Keller, leading other teams to believe the Patriots interest in Tight Ends may diminish only to sign a few come draft weekend.

Some comments on the comments:

1. I have been mulling this question now for a couple of weeks. How many TE's are the Pats going to carry this season. My initial thought was, of course, 4. Now, based on some stuff I've read here, I'm not sure. Its been pointed out that the 2 TE was a big deal to BOB, but not soe much for Josh. So it got me wondering about whether for THIS year, the Pats might only go with 3 TE's and use that roster spot elsewhere else on offense.

2. Keller is not a true TE, like Gronk. He's a complimentary TE like Hernandez, a move TE, who can align all over the field. We should all be clear, he could never be a "back up" TE if Gronk goes down. He's a guy who plays a position that is currently being filled by DJ Williams and Harrison. A position that kind of disappeared along with Hernandez last season.

3. Obviouisly unless Keller is completely healthy, he's not going to be signed. And if he is signed, anything he is going to make over the Vet minimum is going to be incentives.

4. Hooman's ability to create space or run complex routes may be in question, but his "hands" should not be. Last season he pretty much caught everything that was thrown at him, including a rather great catch for a TD, IIRC. Last season I thought Hooman was underutilized a bit, and should have had more chances than he got. That being said, Hooman is going to be Gronk's back up, and the 2nd TE when 2 TE blockers are necessary. We need a move TE.

5. IF Keller is signed before the draft, then I would suspect that our TE strategy is likely to be different than we think right now. It could be that with Keller on board, the urgency to draft at top TE talent will be lessened. In other words, instead of looking for a TE with one of our first 3 picks, it would likely to be with one of our last 4.

6, If Keller isn't signed until after the draft, then I suspect if one of the top TE's is the top rated player in one of the first 2 rounds, we will take one, and Keller might become moot.

7. Add me to those amongst you who wishes BB didn't take the risk that Sudfeld would get through the waiver process last season. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I think the kid has a future down the road.

8. It was very interesting to see how close Keller's combine times were to Hernandez's, If completely healthy, he'd be much more effective in this offense and our QB.

patchick said:

I'll bet he teared up a little when he heard that.

Seriously, if Keller were back in prime shape I don't think he'd still be pounding the streets looking for a job. With an injury that severe, "healing" doesn't return you to 100% soon, if ever. But if he can play at a level to contribute, he seems like a smart addition -- especially given the abysmal slate of move TEs in this draft class.

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Yeah, unfortunately, I think you're right. If he could help at all, he'd be worth a look.

wouldn't mind the addition

ausbacker said:

I don't mind the Patriots exploring Keller as an option and even signing him for the vet. minimum however, carrying two Tight Ends, most likely to be 1 and 2 on the depth chart, both returning from major knee reconstruction should be questioned.

It'll be interesting to see if a potential Keller signing is made before or after the draft. Belichick may pull some shenanigans and sign Keller, leading other teams to believe the Patriots interest in Tight Ends may diminish only to sign a few come draft weekend.

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I was thinking the same thing, aus. I'd be more than satisfied with Gronk, Keller, and a higher draft pick at TE. That would be much different than that joke of a depth chart at the position last year.

Hmm, Maybe we could tag him the IR designation and get him properly healthy next season, like Ballard, while still grooming a Rookie TE.

Next Season we'd have Gronk, Keller, 2nd Year TE, which is terrific

EDIT. Maybe the Giants would get back at us and steal him from us, too

Which of the TE's available at 62 would you expect to produce as much as Keller as the move TE over the next couple of years? It seems that a rookie might not have a major impact.

I favor signing Keller before the draft if he is healthy. This will give us more flexibility in the draft.

patfanken said:

Some comments on the comments:

6, If Keller isn't signed until after the draft, then I suspect if one of the top TE's is the top rated player in one of the first 2 rounds, we will take one, and Keller might become moot.

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