I didn't see this posted yet. If it was, sorry 'bout that. Interesting read. IN A TIGHT SPOT JETS' BAKER UNHAPPY WITH TREATMENT By MARK CANNIZZARO http://www.nypost.com/seven/04282008/sports/jets/in_a_tight_spot_108431.htm April 28, 2008 -- When the JetsNew York Jets made their aggressive trade-up move into the first round Saturday to draft tight end Dustin Keller, it left many people around the league scratching their heads in bewilderment. Count Jets starting tight end Chris BakerChris Baker as one of them. Baker, who recently left the Jets' offseason conditioning program in protest over the team's apparent unwillingness to renegotiate his below-market contract, told The Post in an exclusive interview yesterday that he wants to remain a Jet for the rest of his career, but finds it hard to believe the team wants him here based on the way he's being treated. Unless the Jets re-do Baker's contract, he'll find himself as the third-highest paid tight end on the team despite the fact he's the starter and coming off the best season of his career with 41 catches. The Jets signed veteran free agent Bubba Franks to a one-year, $1.65 million deal this offseason and, as the 30th draft pick in the first round, Keller will be signed to a contract that'll pay him even more than that. Baker is due to make $683,000 this season. What galls Baker most is the fact that, dating back two years, promises have been made to him by the Jets about reworking his contract. According to Baker's agent, Jonathan Feinsod, "Jets management has acknowledged that Chris has outperformed his contract." "I'm angry about the fact that they said, 'We're going to do something for you,' and nothing's being done," Baker told The Post. "It doesn't make any sense. I've been here six years and I've always done what they've asked me to do." Baker said he never wanted to leave the offseason conditioning program, but felt he had no choice. "What else can I do?" he said. "I don't think I'm being unreasonable. I needed to let it be known that I'm not happy and nothing is being addressed with my contract." Baker, in the third year of a four-year, $6.6 million contract, has quietly watched this offseason as the Jets have not only spent more than $140 million in free-agent contracts, but also taken care of a couple of his fellow veterans who were still under contract. When receiver Laveranues ColesLaveranues Coles boycotted the beginning of the offseason program because he was unhappy with his contract status, the Jets appeased him by guaranteeing the final two years of his contract worth $11 million. Then they re-signed safety Kerry Rhodes, who had a year remaining on his contract, to a new deal with $20 million in guarantees. "I was happy for both of those guys because they're both deserving," Baker said. One NFL source said the drafting of Keller was a clear "cat-and-mouse" move to avoid the Baker situation becoming similar to the messy Pete Kendall ordeal of a year ago. "This is their insurance policy to make sure what happened with Pete doesn't happen again," the source told The Post. "They figured if they can get a high-round [draft pick] then they won't be stuck [like they were last year without a starting guard to replace Kendall]." Feinsod, a week ago yesterday, formally asked the Jets to trade Baker, a request that was declined.
I'd be willing to give baker a new deal as long as it includes a clause where he gives back money when/if he underperforms relative to the contract value.
How? You're all over the Jets for mishandling the Kendall situation and not getting a replacement. Baker signed a deal, now he wants more money. How is that a better case? That's just whining. I understand he feels he should be paid more, but he's owed nothing. And we actually draft a guy who can replace him (among many other things in our offense), so we address it, and I guarantee you're going to rag on this issue forever.
5.4/3=1.8 million dollars per season. GET IT FCZKIKNG RIGHT!!! He is still the highest paid TE on the team...and probably not for long if he keeps up this bullshit.
Pack your shit you whining sack of swine. :lol: That trade up looks like a response from the front office. I won't be surprised if he's sent packing in the end.
If Pete Kendall was directed to the rookie dorm on the first day of training camp I can't wait to see where Baker is directed- sleeping in a refrigerator box under a light pole on the side of Hempstead Turnpike perhaps?
I don't believe that for a second. A good FO does not make a 1st round pick based on a knee-jerk reaction to some whiny average player. We needed a red-zone threat to catch the ball and Keller was the BPA according to the FO, regardless of position.
i'm still so confused about this. this quote now makes it seem as if he didnt sign anything this past december and is still in the midst of his 4-year contract. If that is so, while I still think these articles should look at the average value of contracts and now just his base salary for the year, Baker does have a point...
Baker needs to understand that Keller will likely be used in a very different way. He's not a blocking TE, he won't always line up as a TE. Having said that, I can see why he'd be upset that he'll likely be the lowest paid of the 3 primary TEs. However, that's what happens when you're not a superstar in this league. Contract averages escalate every season, and the best paid player at a position isn't always the best player at the position, just the most recent to sign a contract. You can attempt to renegotiate with a year left, but to do so AND hold out with 2 years left on the contract is ridiculous.
Normally I would agree, but this pick seems to come out of nowhere in terms of our needs. But hey, I'm just Joe-fan so what do I know. :grin: We would need another red-zone threat if they are going to let Baker walk.
It did to me too at first glance. "We traded up for a TE?!!" was my immediate reaction. But after reading about him, he seems to fill the spot that Limas Sweed would have. A big, fast guy with good hands. He was valued better than all the WRs in the draft and there is a good chance he will line up at WR for us. As for the Baker comparison...while he appears to have the best hands on the team, stickum style, he doesn't ever seem able to get open. I just don't think he has ever been athletic enough to do so on a regular basis. edit: Kelly's website post further proves the point that Baker has nothing to do with Keller...we were looking at him before Baker ever walked out. Anything else is just another case of the media drawing a connection between unrelated events: http://www.dustin-keller.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=1
Well the Jets avoided a Kendall situation in terms of not being able to replace him, now they should just trade Baker for whatever they can get and avoid another training camp circus. No bs about rooming him with the rookies, just get rid of him if you don't want him, we don't need an unhappy backup TE. The Jets do seem to go out of their way to treat players like crap. Kendall's one thing because Kendall's a big mouth anyway but Baker's never been a problem other than speaking out when he was deactivated last year.
I still say the drafting of Kelller had little to do w/ the Baker situation and that Keller is gonna be used as more of an H back.
Interesting... I was unaware they were looking at him. Of course they probably look at a ton of players we don't hear about as well. Hopefully the pick pans out for us. We don't exactly have the midas touch picking out TE's. In any event Baker is going to have to either man up, or pack up. I doubt they give him what he's looking for, especially if they already signed a contract on him in Dec.
I think some of the guys on our club have to grow up a little bit. The Jets just got passed the draft. They can't attend to every nook and cranny; now we will see if they do something. My main point is Baker is not Coles. He is good, but the area in his game that is lacking is blocking. One can't expect a complete contract when one is not a complete player. He is good, but he is replacable.
