OVERVIEW
In high school, Kelce was a three sport star, but his best sport was always football. He was a three-year letter winner at quarterback, and earned All-Lake Erie League honors after totaling 2,539 yards of total offense and 31 total touchdowns as a senior. Kelce’s uncle Don Blalock played football at Purdue and grandfather Don Blalock played football at Ohio. Travis is the younger brother of former Cincinnati Bearcats and current Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
In his first year on campus, Travis redshirted. In his redshirt freshman year, Kelce participated in 11 games as the tight end. He caught one pass for three yards. Kelce also played some quarterback, strictly in a Wildcat role. He logged eight carries for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Kelce did not play in 2010, as he was suspended for a violation of team rules. Upon his return in 2011, Kelce caught 13 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. In his senior season, Kelce put himself on the NFL prospect map, as he caught 45 passes for 722 yards and eight touchdowns. He was selected to the All-Big East first team for his play.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Kelce has an ideal tight end frame. Athletic for his size, with great strength, and the ability to stretch the field vertically. Very physical run blocker, generates power from the lower half, and will move defenders off the ball. Plays with leverage. Wide catching radius, can adjust and make the difficult catch. Tough to bring down after the catch. Light feet, and has lined up in numerous different positions.
WEAKNESSES Suspended for an entire season for violating team rules. Only one season of production. Doesn't have blazing speed. Not a tremendously explosive athlete. Doesn't come out of his breaks all that well.
NFL COMPARISON Rob Gronkowski
BOTTOM LINE Kelce has been a tremendous run blocker throughout his career for the Bearcats, but really elevated his game as a receiver in his senior season. He isn't a tremendous athlete, but he does a lot of things very well. It's a deep tight end class, but Kelce's play suggests that he should be highly sought after. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Dunerdr:
Ok, I'll bite.. ****ing what?
It was a loose representation to the character Sharron Stone played in the movie. Most likely a bit off color to top it off. I was talking to my UPS driver about the Chiefs and the TS reference came up out of the blue and it translated over to CP. [Reply]
For ten years he played TE like a power forward with smooth moves and fluid body control, excellent hands, and the ability to beat almost anyone man to man. He for sure wasn't the fastest, strongest, or even the most explosive- but he could quickly change direction and slip in between defenders better than anyone.
Hell, I'd trade my house to be 34 again- but after 10 seasons of professional football facing younger and younger defenders each year, he's for sure losing a step and isn't as quick. Defenders know it. We see it. And he probably knows it, and is frustrated.
If this season ends on the current trend, I could see him coming back for one more year to try and right the ship, so to speak. But mentally I think he's only 60%. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Cheater5:
For ten years he played TE like a power forward with smooth moves and fluid body control, excellent hands, and the ability to beat almost anyone man to man. He for sure wasn't the fastest, strongest, or even the most explosive- but he could quickly change direction and slip in between defenders better than anyone.
Hell, I'd trade my house to be 34 again- but after 10 seasons of professional football facing younger and younger defenders each year, he's for sure losing a step and isn't as quick. Defenders know it. We see it. And he probably knows it, and is frustrated.
If this season ends on the current trend, I could see him coming back for one more year to try and right the ship, so to speak. But mentally I think he's only 60%.
It's a mixture, he's not the same guy but he also has 0 help in the passing game. Teams that don't even play man sit in man because they know these WR's can't win on routes.
You could legit argue the Chiefs don't have a functional passing game. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
It's a mixture, he's not the same guy but he also has 0 help in the passing game. Teams that don't even play man sit in man because they know these WR's can't win on routes.
You could legit argue the Chiefs don't have a functional passing game.
Hes still got good acceleration and vision, the screens have showed us that. With some legit help he can still be a top 3 tight end over the next few years. Maybe top 5 if guys like McBride and LaPorta are the real deal. [Reply]
He's 34. Obviously he's slowing down. But he's still one of the best TEs in the game, for now.
But going forward, relying on him to be the GOAT TE all season long in 2024 just isn't a viable plan. His snaps are necessarily going to need to be managed if he's going to have any juice left for the playoffs.
Because he isn't the WR1 anymore. Based on what we've seen this season, he's probably best suited to a supporting/situational role, that'll allow him to play on a reduced snapcount during the regular season, so he's got more left at the end. [Reply]
Originally Posted by smithandrew051:
In all likelihood, his 1000 yard season streak has been snapped. Fell just short despite having an injury and missing next week for rest.
shame, but a streak that will not be topped for a long long time if ever! [Reply]
This makes me sad. Love the guy but the end is near. I really wouldn't be surprised if tho sis his last year. If he comes back then next year will for sure be his last.
"This is the last great year of Travis Kelce." ��@ByNateTaylor tells @jbbrisco and @RealMNchiefsfan that he believes the future Hall of Fame TE is winding down.
He's old, yes, but when you're this great, you can find ways to gain temporary ground against aging.
He might retire after this year, sure. I'm just saying don't be surprised if he not only decides to keep playing multiple seasons but ends up stringing together a couple more pretty good years before calling it quits. [Reply]
