75 Hours To the Dustin Keller Signing?

[mayoclinic]

Of the options available this offseason, what would you have done? (Not attacking, honestly curious.) The Gronk/Prisoner offense was unstoppable not because there were 2 TEs, but because those players were so darned good. IMO, nobody even close was available this year.

The position was a disaster in the draft. Pre-draft fans were saying "I'd much rather spend a 4 or 5 on Fiedorowicz than a 2 on Amaro." As it turned out, it would have had to be a 2 on Fiedorowicz! Pretty much the only FA of significance who went cheap was Owen Daniels, and I get the impression that his services were ignored by the league for a reason -- he's no longer athletic enough to create any mismatches.

I would make a serious attempt at trading for Rob Housler. I don't know if Arizona is truly serious about parting ways with him, or what the cost would be, but he seems like the best option by far for a move TE to complement Gronk. He's only 26, he's healthy, he's had some decent production the past 2 seasons, and he has terrific size and athleticism (6' 5 3/8" 250#, 4.46 40, 1.49 10-split, 6.9 3C, 37" VJ). He's in a contract year, and his cost is reasonable ($1.6M cap hit for 2014). I think that in the Pats' offense and with Brady throwing to him that Housler could be another Jordan Cameron (6' 5 2/8" 254#, 4.53 40, 1.53 10-split, 6.82 3C, 37.5" VJ).

If Jace Amaro (6' 5 3/8" 265#, 4.70 40, 1.64 10-split, 7.42 3C, 33" VJ) had Housler's athleticism, he probably would have been a 1st round pick.

The 2015 TE class does not look promising at this time. I'd personally be willing to trade a 4th for Housler, maybe a bit more.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I really miss the 2 TE sets we ran with AH and Gronk....man did that put the fear of god in Ds

Yup, too bad that's all shot to Hell.

 

[patchick]

I would make a serious attempt at trading for Rob Housler. I don't know if Arizona is truly serious about parting ways with him, or what the cost would be, but he seems like the best option by far for a move TE to complement Gronk.
...
The 2015 TE class does not look promising at this time. I'd personally be willing to trade a 4th for Housler, maybe a bit more.

I've been saying exactly the same:
LINK: TE Jermichael Finley medically cleared; visiting "mystery" team
IF Arizona is really shopping Housler he's enormously tempting, even with just a year left on his contract.

But as for the moves/non-moves so far, I'm stumped. They really needed more TE talent, they didn't get any of note, and yet I can't fault it. Just adding bodies doesn't help.

 

[Brady6]

I would make a serious attempt at trading for Rob Housler. I don't know if Arizona is truly serious about parting ways with him, or what the cost would be, but he seems like the best option by far for a move TE to complement Gronk. He's only 26, he's healthy, he's had some decent production the past 2 seasons, and he has terrific size and athleticism (6' 5 3/8" 250#, 4.46 40, 1.49 10-split, 6.9 3C, 37" VJ). He's in a contract year, and his cost is reasonable ($1.6M cap hit for 2014). I think that in the Pats' offense and with Brady throwing to him that Housler could be another Jordan Cameron (6' 5 2/8" 254#, 4.53 40, 1.53 10-split, 6.82 3C, 37.5" VJ).

If Jace Amaro (6' 5 3/8" 265#, 4.70 40, 1.64 10-split, 7.42 3C, 33" VJ) had Housler's athleticism, he probably would have been a 1st round pick.

The 2015 TE class does not look promising at this time. I'd personally be willing to trade a 4th for Housler, maybe a bit more.

Do you think the Cardinals would trade him?

 

[RayClay]

I would make a serious attempt at trading for Rob Housler. I don't know if Arizona is truly serious about parting ways with him, or what the cost would be, but he seems like the best option by far for a move TE to complement Gronk. He's only 26, he's healthy, he's had some decent production the past 2 seasons, and he has terrific size and athleticism (6' 5 3/8" 250#, 4.46 40, 1.49 10-split, 6.9 3C, 37" VJ). He's in a contract year, and his cost is reasonable ($1.6M cap hit for 2014). I think that in the Pats' offense and with Brady throwing to him that Housler could be another Jordan Cameron (6' 5 2/8" 254#, 4.53 40, 1.53 10-split, 6.82 3C, 37.5" VJ).

If Jace Amaro (6' 5 3/8" 265#, 4.70 40, 1.64 10-split, 7.42 3C, 33" VJ) had Housler's athleticism, he probably would have been a 1st round pick.

The 2015 TE class does not look promising at this time. I'd personally be willing to trade a 4th for Housler, maybe a bit more.

Looks good on paper. Here's a Giant centric article about him that's pretty informative.

NFL Trade Rumors: TE Rob Housler to New York Giants? - Big Blue View

 

[patchick]

Do you think the Cardinals would trade him?

It doesn't help that their prized rookie TE, the oft-injured Troy Niklas, is already injured.

Most of the speculation is based on the idea that Housler doesn't fit Arizona's new offense, but they're really under no pressure to trade him. My best guess is that they'll say "we're leaning toward keeping him, but feel free to dazzle us with offers."

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I would make a serious attempt at trading for Rob Housler. I don't know if Arizona is truly serious about parting ways with him, or what the cost would be, but he seems like the best option by far for a move TE to complement Gronk. He's only 26, he's healthy, he's had some decent production the past 2 seasons, and he has terrific size and athleticism (6' 5 3/8" 250#, 4.46 40, 1.49 10-split, 6.9 3C, 37" VJ). He's in a contract year, and his cost is reasonable ($1.6M cap hit for 2014). I think that in the Pats' offense and with Brady throwing to him that Housler could be another Jordan Cameron (6' 5 2/8" 254#, 4.53 40, 1.53 10-split, 6.82 3C, 37.5" VJ).

If Jace Amaro (6' 5 3/8" 265#, 4.70 40, 1.64 10-split, 7.42 3C, 33" VJ) had Housler's athleticism, he probably would have been a 1st round pick.

The 2015 TE class does not look promising at this time. I'd personally be willing to trade a 4th for Housler, maybe a bit more.

Remember way back in 2003 when we gave a decent draft pick for a one year rental of Ted Washington and a Lombardi? The previous year's Pats were pathetic against the run (Steve Martin) but Ted took a liability and made it into an asset. Similarly, were I GM I would make such a trade if the player is as good as you say because w/o Gronk TE is a liability and Gronk PLUS a > JAG makes the Patriots offense, especially inside the 20 formidable.
Just Do It, BB.

 

[captain stone]

In response to your question Patchick (I meant to use your quote, but somehow I lost it during this post):

• I would've signed Dallas Clark (nerve-damaged hand and all) the day after the Prisoner was arrested last year.
• I would've pursued trade opportunities at the deadline, off-season or during the draft to see if somebody like James Casey in Philly or Virgil Green in Denver could've been had for a reasonable price.
• I would've seriously pursued Garrett Graham or, if that failed, less expensive UFAs like John Carlson, Brandon Myers & Clay Harbor.
• I would've traded down to 44 (via Minnesota then St Louis) and drafted Jace Amaro.
• I would've been much more aggressive signing UDFA TEs superior to Watson & Jones: Marcel Jensen, AC Leonard, Jake Murphy, Trey Burton, Reggie Jordan, Jake Pederson, Xavier Grimble, Gator Hoskins & Jordan Najvar.

I also approve of seriously talking to Arizona about a Housler trade.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I never understood why the Dallas Clark opportunity wasn't seized

 

[mayoclinic]

I've been saying exactly the same:
LINK: TE Jermichael Finley medically cleared; visiting "mystery" team
IF Arizona is really shopping Housler he's enormously tempting, even with just a year left on his contract.

But as for the moves/non-moves so far, I'm stumped. They really needed more TE talent, they didn't get any of note, and yet I can't fault it. Just adding bodies doesn't help.

I was probably the most vocal "don't reach for a TE" voice on the draft board, where there was tremendous sentiment that TE was our greatest need and that we needed to take at least one on day 1 or 2 (some even advocated doubling up at the position). I didn't like this class at all, and I think teams overreached terribly for CJ Fiedorowicz at #65, Richard Rodgers at #98, and Crockett Gilmore at #99. OTOH, I think the Pats could have been more aggressive later on about going after guys like Trey Millard (#245), Gator Hoskins (UDFA), AC Leonard (UDFA) and others. As far as I can tell, Joe Don Duncan (initially rumored to have signed with the Pats as a UDFA) is still unsigned - I can't figure out what is going on with him.

If reports that Bruce Arians favors in-line TEs are true, then I think it's unlikely that Housler will end up getting a second contract with Arizona. In that case, I could see the Cardinals looking at offers for him, though there's certainly no pressure on them to move him quickly, and they may decided that he's worth more as depth/versatility than what they can get for him. I think he's a better prospect than Amaro, and I'd personally kick the tires fairly hard to see if they can shake him loose.

 

[Deus Irae]

Of the options available this offseason, what would you have done? (Not attacking, honestly curious.) The Gronk/Prisoner offense was unstoppable not because there were 2 TEs, but because those players were so darned good. IMO, nobody even close was available this year.

The position was a disaster in the draft. Pre-draft fans were saying "I'd much rather spend a 4 or 5 on Fiedorowicz than a 2 on Amaro." As it turned out, it would have had to be a 2 on Fiedorowicz! Pretty much the only FA of significance who went cheap was Owen Daniels, and I get the impression that his services were ignored by the league for a reason -- he's no longer athletic enough to create any mismatches.

Let's not kid ourselves, here. There were good options for TE2s out there. I don't think it's terrible that the Patriots didn't shell out for PItta, for example, but there were (and still are, if Finley and/or Keller happen to be healthy) definitely legitimate options out there.

 

[Brady6]

These are some TEs on other teams currently that may not make their final roster whom I would have some interest in –

Ballard, Jake-Arizona Cardinals
Housler, Rob-Arizona Cardinals
Moeaki, Tony-Buffalo Bills
Smith, Lee-Buffalo Bills
Mulligan, Matthew-Chicago Bears
Brock, Kevin-Cincinnati Bengals
Dreessen, Joel-Denver Broncos
Tamme, Jacob-Denver Broncos
Fauria, Joseph-Detroit Lions
Lyerla, Colt-Green Bay Packers
Swoope, Erik-Indianapolis Colts
Jensen, Marcel-Jacksonville Jaguars
Hoskins, Gator-Miami Dolphins
Sims, Dion-Miami Dolphins
Leonard, A.C.-Minnesota Vikings
Sudfeld, Zach-New York Jets
Annen, Blake-Philadelphia Eagles
Burton, Trey-Philadelphia Eagles
Blanchflower, Rob-Pittsburgh Steelers
Kendricks, Lance-St. Louis Rams

 

[tmajr3]

These are some TEs on other teams currently that may not make their final roster whom I would have some interest in –

Ballard, Jake-Arizona Cardinals
Housler, Rob-Arizona Cardinals
Moeaki, Tony-Buffalo Bills
Smith, Lee-Buffalo Bills
Mulligan, Matthew-Chicago Bears
Brock, Kevin-Cincinnati Bengals
Dreessen, Joel-Denver Broncos
Tamme, Jacob-Denver Broncos
Fauria, Joseph-Detroit Lions
Lyerla, Colt-Green Bay Packers
Swoope, Erik-Indianapolis Colts
Jensen, Marcel-Jacksonville Jaguars
Hoskins, Gator-Miami Dolphins
Sims, Dion-Miami Dolphins
Leonard, A.C.-Minnesota Vikings
Sudfeld, Zach-New York Jets
Annen, Blake-Philadelphia Eagles
Burton, Trey-Philadelphia Eagles
Blanchflower, Rob-Pittsburgh Steelers
Kendricks, Lance-St. Louis Rams

I really like Fauria from DET. I think he would be a great Redzone threat in the offense especially with TB12 throwing him the ball

 

[supafly]

I really like Fauria from DET. I think he would be a great Redzone threat in the offense especially with TB12 throwing him the ball

I agree, but why on earth would DET actually cut their promising rookie from last season, especially after Scheffler just retired too?

We're talking about a rookie who caught 7 TDs and now just got bumped up in the depth chart.

 

[supafly]

These are some TEs on other teams currently that may not make their final roster whom I would have some interest in –

Ballard, Jake-Arizona Cardinals
Housler, Rob-Arizona Cardinals
Moeaki, Tony-Buffalo Bills
Smith, Lee-Buffalo Bills
Mulligan, Matthew-Chicago Bears
Brock, Kevin-Cincinnati Bengals
Dreessen, Joel-Denver Broncos
Tamme, Jacob-Denver Broncos
Fauria, Joseph-Detroit Lions
Lyerla, Colt-Green Bay Packers
Swoope, Erik-Indianapolis Colts
Jensen, Marcel-Jacksonville Jaguars
Hoskins, Gator-Miami Dolphins
Sims, Dion-Miami Dolphins
Leonard, A.C.-Minnesota Vikings
Sudfeld, Zach-New York Jets
Annen, Blake-Philadelphia Eagles
Burton, Trey-Philadelphia Eagles
Blanchflower, Rob-Pittsburgh Steelers
Kendricks, Lance-St. Louis Rams

I appreciate your hard work and dedication in coming up with this list, but I truly don't see more than a couple of potential options to be honest with you.

Even then, we'd probably have different opinions on who we'd all want. I would strongly consider a guy like Jacob Tamme or Lance Kendricks, but are they really in danger of being cut?

The majority of the other players are probably either going to make it, have already been here, or don't have much to offer (in my opinion, of course).

 

[Joker]

I got it!!!! Let's talk a retired all pro Tight End into coming back. It's gonna take me hours to get all the metrics, obstetrics, pathetrics and lunatrics compiled but THIS is the obvious way to deal with this problem...and if you disagree with me about ANYTHING, realize you're better than that and I'm always right.


=======================================================================
Antonio Gates
Mark Bavaro
Tony Gonzalez
Dave Casper
Jackie Smith
Ozzie Newsome
Shannon Sharpe
Mike Ditka
Kellen Winslow
John Mackeyhttp://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MackJo00.htm

I have concluded that we should cut Amendola, exhume the corpse of John Mackey and sign him to an incentive laden contract (you know, in case he stinks or something).

 

[varjao]

Looks like Keller still has a long way to rehab, otherwise he would be already in learning the playbook.

It seems that the strategy is really wait for the cuts to see what is worth, Gronk is on pace to play week 1.

 

[Kontradiction]

I got it!!!! Let's talk a retired all pro Tight End into coming back. It's gonna take me hours to get all the metrics, obstetrics, pathetrics and lunatrics compiled but THIS is the obvious way to deal with this problem...and if you disagree with me about ANYTHING, realize you're better than that and I'm always right.

=======================================================================
Antonio Gates
Mark Bavaro
Tony Gonzalez
Dave Casper
Jackie Smith
Ozzie Newsome
Shannon Sharpe
Mike Ditka
Kellen Winslow
John Mackey

I have concluded that we should cut Amendola, exhume the corpse of John Mackey and sign him to an incentive laden contract (you know, in case he stinks or something).

The corpse of John Mackey would probably be a more viable receiving threat than the Hooman, in all fairness.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

This has been the longest 75 Hours in my life

 

[mayoclinic]

This has been the longest 75 Hours in my life

It's fine by me if the Pats keep an eye on Keller and his health and let things play out. Minicamp is this week, followed by a 6 week break before training camp. It doesn't sound like Keller would have been ready to do anything in OTAs or minicamp anyway, so there's not much lost. But I'm hoping that the Pats go into training camp with a veteran move TE on the roster - I'm still hoping for a Rob Housler trade, but either Keller or Finley would be a reasonable alternative. Neither seems to be going anywhere at the moment.