Bakerwatch: Talking Points Recycled
Oy. Yesterday was Day Two, and I’m already sick of this story. I’m officially calling this ongoing incident “Bakerwatch ‘08″ I mean, what’s the point of a repetitive brain-numbing storyline without a catchy slogan? I know I’ve been kind of snide about the whole Baker using “Kendall’s Playbook” thing this week, but here’s another recycled talking point from last year:
“You talk about injuries, I took three injections in my back last season,” said Baker, who missed a game last season because of his back. “This was at a point when we were 1-7. If anyone questions whether I want to be on the field, that’s up to them. I could’ve easily packed it in last year, but I didn’t do that.”
Pete’s comments last year.
“I’m taking needles in the back while they’re asking me to take a pay cut. Fine, that’s business.”
For a guy who declined to talk about injuries earlier in the day, he was decidedly eager to talk about getting shots in his back. Well, at least you can’t blame their agency for inconsistent messages year to year …
This is really getting out of hand. I listen to what Baker says his agent was told, which in it self is a contradiction from earlier statements where he said he was told, now its his agent who was told that if he played well in 2007 the organization would do something in the future.
So lets say his agent was told that. What constitutes as “playing well”? 41 receptions, and 400 yds, that is average at best, he made some poor plays also. Such as not coming down in bounds in the Cleveland game, dropping a red zone pass against the Pats, and some missed blocks. Coming off a 4-12 season I don’t see how any player can ask for more money, much less Baker.
He chickened out of FA in 2006 and excepted the Jeys offer of 4 years $6.6million, he was fronted $700,000, which he says he did the team the favor, (lets call it mutually beneficial), and now he wants to renegotiate.
I say the guy is out of line. I am not in favor of Jets management, but this will just embolden other players to do the same thing, and will ruin of slary structure if it keeps happening. I thought L.Coles deserved to be thrown a bone, and was happy that got resolved, but I don’t feel that baker deserves the extra money, at least not yet. maybe after this season.
Third paragraph should read “accepted the Jets offer”. I need to proof before I hit submit.Lol.
If my agent said things were promised and he didn’t get it in writing I’d fire him.
And then I’d play because I made a mistake with my agent.
Wow, good detective work there Bass. Guess his agent thought it would slip through the cracks…
Please trade Baker for something. 10 Footballs, 10 jock straps or maybe Lito Shepherd.
Why are jet fans saying we should trade baker? We should all just be hoping things work out because at the end of the day he is a top 15 TE who can block and catch. Hes not elite, hes not great, but hes good and hes the best TE on our roster. Until I hear a valid reason why the jets should trade him, (other than the obvious fact that he is complaining) lets not get stupid with our comments.
i agree with ramble…how is any player able to ask for more money after finishing as the 6th worst team in the league? if a business failed miserably but a worker did okay, would he recieve a raise? not the best analogy but something to think about.
baker is a good TE, but when the objective to win games is not reached, why should an individual be rewarded?
and especially after his FIRST above average season when consistency is not a gaurentee mind you
Thank you for not calling this Baker-gate.
Bent,
You just did.
Baker your injury is so serious the jets should put you on IR.
A few comments…
The Jets don’t feature the TE in the passing game like SD, CLE and KC to name a few, so the opportunities will be less for Baker to put up numbers.
Second, the Jets offense seemed to run very few plays compared to our opponents last year due to their inability to sustain drives, which would indicate that Baker’s “carreer stats” he put up last year DO reflect a much better year than one would suspect.
Third, when looking at his % of completions that went for 1st downs (read clutch factor and drive sustaining), Baker did very well. He was ranked fourth behind Billy Miller, Antonio Gates & Randy McMichael out of 33 TEs with more than 25 catches.
This illustrates his value to the Jets offense as a receiver especialy to CP with his weaker arm. He should really get more money for his play in that he is also the best blocking TE they have and didn’t mail it in last year compared to others…
The Jets FO needs to fix this by either putting something in writing now, reworking his contract or trading him to get some value, and to put a stop to the PK show – Part II starring Chris Baker…
EddieC, the Jets didn’t lose money despite their 4-12 season. His salary should not be a reflection of the overall team’s performance. Players are rated individually. Team record should not equal personal compensation, otherwise the best rookies going to the worst teams should make only a few $$s.
again cut his a$$. TE’s are a dime a dozen.
Big A, its nice to finally here someone with some sense who understands the value of veteran players.
James in TN, you should be cut from the website, idiotic comments are a dime a dozen.
For the millionth time, we cant just replace Chris Baker, like I posted earlier, hes not elite, hes not great, but hes good, and hes a top 15 TE. So why are some of you so eager to dump a guy who is valuable to our team?
Baker doesnt make that much money, giving him a small pay bump to make him happy is completely reasonable.
What message are we sending where its ok to give anyone who whines more money or a trade? What happened to honoring an agreement? The league already fully supports cheaters?
Bunch of babies. How many of these guys grew up with nothing and now buy $400,000+ houses. The game has been good to them. I’ve heard Chris Bakers name this offseason more than I have in his career and I do like him as a player. Bunch of spoiled brats. I don’t care how little he makes in comparison to the other TEs he doesn’t have 1st round pick or pro bowler on his resume.
Something has to change or it will be impossible to watch any sport and respect anything about it.
Guys, I’ve been one of the loudest Chris Baker supporters, but then I realized that Tangini successfully dealt with something similar last year; they “proved their point”, send Pete Kendall out to languish with an appropriate contract and a playoff season in Washington, and thrived with a 4-12 season here in JET-land.
No wait, they handled it terribly and the offensive line was one of their biggest (of many) problems.
I’m starting to think my faith in Tangini was based much on hype, unless, of course, they do what’s best for the team and throw a little extra cash at Baker.