Comments on: Chris Baker Is Sirius

By: DSmizzle

DSmizzle — Sat, 03 May 2008 17:19:14 +0000

Fine guys, maybe you’ll get ur wish and we will be able to tell whether they miss him or not.

Trust me, if that happens, I’m the last person who wants to be able to say “I told you so, they really could use him”. But I will, of course, say that if it happens to be true!

By: JP

JP — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:09:49 +0000

Don’t forget the time value of money — the 800K he was fronted last year is worth more than 800K this year given inflation and investment opportunity cost. Lets assume 2.5% inflation and a 5.5% ROI, which is conservative.

800K * 5.5% = 44K
844K * 2.5% = 21.1K
865K

So Baker owes the Jets 865K; given that the value of the money yesterday is more than than the value of the money tomorrow.

(To any financial whizzes out there, feel free to correct any errors in the above; I believe its about right though)

By: Gary Theiss

Gary Theiss — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:57:56 +0000

Didn’t Baker just sign his unhappy contract 2 short years ago? And wasn’t he also a free agent just two short years ago? Baker listened to any and all offers and obviously felt 6.6M for 4 years was the best he could get. So he stayed with the Jets and signed on the dotted line, willingly pocketed the upfront signing bonus (along with the 1st years salary, thereby grossly INFLATING his actual pay for year one) and then immediately started moaning and groaning for more money in year two? What was the point of him signing the contract in the first place? No one had a gun to his head before he signed, other teams had the chance to offer him more and they didn’t, and now he gripes about the Jets? This is total BS. If Baker only wanted a one year contract, then he should have only signed a one year contract. I say the Jets should stand firm and not budge an inch.

By: DSmizzle

DSmizzle — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:29:51 +0000

If he doesn’t perform well, they can cut him and he won’t receive a dime for the remainder of this “contract”, no matter how hard he works in the season and offseason… so maybe that changes the dynamics a little bit?

His contract — as is the case with the vast majority of them — is NOT guaranteed.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:28:07 +0000

This is just annoying with athletes. He signed a contract and HE should honor it. They can talk to him but they’re by no means obligated to increase his pay. It’s not like he’s this phenom. If he holds out, he won’t win. What if he doesnt perform well, shouldnt he then be required to give money back to the team? You signed a contract now honor it you primadonna

By: billvv

billvv — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:20:14 +0000

I think Baker should contribute. Contribute to repaying the 800K! My biggest fear is that he has a spending problem and needs MORE money! This would be a way to get out of this contract and cash in.

By: DSmizzle

DSmizzle — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:43:05 +0000

HOZ, don’t worry, I know in advance that my post sounds like a cop-out, but I really do feel that Baker would contribute meaningfully to each of those teams, unless they all have 2 TE’s better than he is.

By: DSmizzle

DSmizzle — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:38:27 +0000

HOZ, I would agree with you on this point if I considered a TE who was either the 2nd TE or “1B” to be a “backup”.

I know this sounds like mincing words but I consider a backup someone who only plays when the starter is hurt.

Is Cotchery L. Coles’ “backup”? I think the better way to describe him is that he is 2nd on their depth chart.

Better yet (since most standard formations, even with 2 TE’s, often have 2 WR’s), would be the following question: Is Maurice Jones-Drew Fred Taylor’s backup? I’d have to say “no”, because the word backup to me means an understudy who plays only when needed.

I think Chris Baker would play in every single game on every one of those teams… though I’d have to admit that my knowledge of the TE’s on those teams other than the top guys is lacking.

By: HOZ THE JET

HOZ THE JET — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:02:05 +0000

DSMIZZLE…. he would be a back up on these teams

1.cowboys
2.ravens
3.giants
4.eagles
5.redskins
6.jaguars
7.chargers
8.titans
9.chiefs
10.colts
11.bengals
12.broncos
13.browns
14.steelers
15.green bay
16.rams.
17patriots
18.49ers
19.bears
20 our own jets

so i rank him #21

By: The NYC Parking Expert

The NYC Parking Expert — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:42:30 +0000

I don’t think Baker is inadequate at all – I think he is ADEQUATE. He is being paid an adequate salary for the job he does and has a lot of nerve complaining this year after being fronted an extra $800k last year. I understand completely about using what leverage you have for more money, but the timing was atrocious and showed incredibly bad judgment. I also believe that he should show some measure of thanks that they fronted him money last year when they didn’t have to. Could you imagine Chrebet – a far better and more important piece of the puzzle than Baker – ever pulling this kind of crap? I’d love to see Baker on the team this year, but if they do throw him a bone, it ought to be of adequate size based on his performance vs. current contract – very small.