Boone: Jets tight end Keller connecting with Sanchez

Dustin Keller thinks back to how things were last year not long after Mark Sanchez was brought on board.

"When he first got here,'' Keller said, "our timing just throwing routes was awful."

But baby, look at them now.

"Between OTAs, minicamp, training camp, 'Jets West' camp, we've thrown so many different balls that we know exactly what to expect from each other," Keller said, "where we're going to be and where he's going to put the ball."

And that's led to a frighteningly good start for the third-year tight end. Keller's five touchdown receptions tie him for second in the NFL, and his team-leading marks in receptions (19) and yardage (254) have him chasing stars such as San Diego's Antonio Gates.

In other words, Keller is doing what he thought he should be doing all along: standing among the NFL's elite at his position.

"Yeah, I think that's part of the reason why the Jets brought me in in the first round," Keller said, "because they thought I had that type of ability. And even more so, after they brought Mark in, they wanted us to develop together. And I think we are at a good spot right now in our football relationship.

"I think things, just as time goes on, are going to get better and better."

The chemistry between the 6-2, 250-pounder and Sanchez is unmistakable. They've developed Wonder Twins-type powers, activating them at a moment's notice to repeatedly beat linebackers and safeties - players who Keller thinks can't check him.

"I've felt that way ever since I've come into the league, that there's no linebacker or safety who can cover me," Keller said. "Especially with Mark throwing the ball the way he is. You just give me an inch of space, and Mark is going to fit it in there. As long as we are playing on that level, there's nobody that can stop us.

"It can be a good combination for a long time to come. It's just a matter of going about business every single day, every single play - just the way that we have been. And we are going to be good."

The rapport between Keller and the second-year quarterback goes beyond throwing extra routes on the field. The two spend at least 45 minutes each day after practice, doing their routine of breaking down film and opponent cut- ups.

Each Wednesday, they bust out the first- and second-down footage. Thursdays are all about third down, and they check out red-zone action on Fridays. The night before the game, they'll spend roughly an hour at the team hotel, going over their scripts and talking about different scenarios.

"It really is a lot of work," Keller said. "But the results from it just far outweigh any of the work. It just makes it so much better."

So much so that they are quickly becoming a feared combination.

"Last year, it took forever," Keller said. "We didn't start to click until the playoffs. But what we wanted to do was keep the momentum from the playoffs rolling into [this] regular season. In the preseason, we weren't playing our best football and our first game wasn't the greatest.

"We've got all of our mistakes out of the way and let's start doing it right now. The last couple of weeks have been really good, and as long as we can keep that up, and he just keeps all of his receivers in the mix - we get Santonio [Holmes] back, that's going to be a serious weapon for us - there's no reason why we can't put up 28, 30, 35 points on the board every week."