Comments on: The Maxwell House Switch On Receivers

By: Boosta

Boosta — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:23:42 +0000

Keller was not the primary target for their system. The wide receivers were. To compare his numbers to the wide receiver listed is just totally nonsensical. You should compare him to other TE’s. Looking at his numbers next to F Davis make a lot more sense. However, based on your chart, he had almost as many catches and TD’s as D Thomas, Avery and more catches than M Kelly. This is incredible considering they were the primary targets on their respective teams. This guy is pretty good. Enjoy the season.

By: Andre

Andre — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:26:15 +0000

Love the Keller pick. Wouldn’t want another RECIEVER in the draft.

When I first heard tight end, I thought of a lumbering linemen.

This dude is nice, plus he’s strong. He will translate quicker then the 3 yrs usually expected on a receiver.

Awesome hybrid of speed and power, now we just gotta make sure we can him the ball.

By: ramble914

ramble914 — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:10:34 +0000

I see Keller in the same mold as Andre Johnson, the WR from Houston. AJ is 6′-2″ and weighs 230 lbs. He runs a 4.5 40, very similar to DK.

By: Jeff Dolfini

Jeff Dolfini — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:30:16 +0000

I just wish I new what the front office was thinking. If they are going to use him as a slot reciever this season I could totally understand this. Now if they are going to bring him in on pass plays only then this is going to be a dead giveaway. Every time we bring him in the defense will think pass. Just put him in as a slot reciever and let him do his thing in the middle.

By: Johnny Styne

Johnny Styne — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:58:54 +0000

Bassett — Have you seen the throws made to Keller at Purdue? — They were made by a quarterback with a great arm — They were ten to fifteen yards downfield with zip and on the mark — KELLER DID NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEM, so a) he could catch them without getting killed, and b) he could turn and move upfield — His size may help him from getting injured as a result of Pennington’s throws, but he still will no longer be open by the time they get to him — Therefore, even if he is an A talent, with Pennington at quarterback, we will only get C value.

By: pound4pound

pound4pound — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:53:43 +0000

Really interesting piece, Bassett, and I definitely understand your thinking about how Keller could create mismatches in our offense and help change field goals to TD’s. My question is, why wasn’t he able to do that more often in college? A quick comp of 2007 stats:

Keller: 68 catches, 7 TD
D Thomas: 79 catches, 8 TD
J Nelson: 122 catches, 11 TD
Avery: 91 catches, 7 TD
M Kelly: 49 catches, 9 TD (missed 2 games with injuries)

And for good measure:
Fred Davis: 62 catches, 8 TD

Keller is bigger than the WR’s listed, and almost as fast. And he’s way faster than Davis. I feel like he should have been a one-man wrecking ball at the college level – what 20-year-old LB or safety can match up with a guy with those measurables? But his stats aren’t exceptional.

I hope Keller becomes our Dallas Clark – a safety valve that opens up the outside lanes and can get us tough TD’s. I would’ve just liked to see better production to show that he has that in him.

By: Bassett

Bassett — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:43:25 +0000

Johnny Styne – I completely disagree. Think about Coles or Cotch going over the middle. Then think about those guys on sideline outs … since Pennington has velocity issues, he has to put the ball on the nose or get it intercepted. with a quick, tall guy with much better vert, especially if Keller is seeing mismatches … he has some real potential. he might only catch 30 balls this year, but it will be a big help.

By: david i

david i — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:39:47 +0000

AMEN on the point about not drafting a WR early just to put him low on the depth chart! Kiper’s knock was that we didn’t get a WR earlier. I felt the same way…why pick a WR early just to put him 4th or 5th on the depth chart. That’s what Marcus Henry gives us in the 6th round….A big WR to put 4th or 5th on the depth chart and to develop down the road.

By: almoriz

almoriz — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:32:50 +0000

It was a very good draft. We drafted an offensive weapon to open up our passing game. It’s not easy drafting a WR. Obviously, not one of them had a first round grade on draft boards. Keller will create mismatches all over the field. What should we have done? Drafted a WR who just makes us feel good because we see his name on the depth chart, but is not as talented as Keller??
Gholston doesn’t fill a need? If we hit with him, it will help us out more than we expect.

By: david i

david i — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:17:19 +0000

Good piece of work!

This guy runs benches, drags, outs, curls and seems and turns them into bigger gains with his YAC ability…If anything, that plays well into our game plan of short and medium range throws at a high percentage.