Baker ‘Happy’ to be Back
Kristie Ackert notes on the Daily News blog that Baker
… continued to block. He said he would no longer be talking about his contract. He did say he was “happy to be here.”
Looks like we just had confirmation that this is the end of a (public at least) contract dispute. I feel bad for Baker, I really do, and I don’t think it would take too much money to make him happy. As it is, he’s the one who agreed to his deal, and he now has to see it through, whatever that might mean.
Baker was right to come back and quiet down as it’s the only way the team would even think to give him a new deal. Even though he took this public, he’s realized he’s in an intractable situation, and the team isn’t going to just let him walk because he asked. Between Chad Johnson, #4 in Green Bay and even to a much lesser extent, Chris Baker, players seem to be getting a resounding message … if you want the freedom, don’t take the long-term deal.
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When Baker was a FA, he got ZERO offers. The JETS gave him more money and years than he deserved. He agreed to 4 years at $1.6 million a year. Now he wants more as an at best TE?? So shut up and play out your contract Chris.
I am glad that is over with.
The organization better make sure that if he has a good year that he gets a contract extention plus more money…
I think Baker is gona have a big year and better get more money when its all said and done after the season…
Baker will have a good year because the team is going to have a good year.
this is good news, no more trouble, we can just focus on winning now
“I feel bad for Baker, I really do,”
For someone so wise, this is a really stupid remark. It is belied by the end of the article:
” you want the freedom, don’t take the long-term deal”
Did anyone actually think it was a one way contract? With lawyers doing the deal? Give me a break.
Moreover, as the Ed points out, Baker signed this deal when he had no leverage. No one wanted him.
I have no sympathy at all.
If these guys want market prices, let them sign one year deals and refuse to sign for less than they are worth.
harlan
harlan-
come have a beer with me sometime soon, you’ll soon find out I am personally full of self-contradictions and indecision … because my personality type is ENFJ … meaning I am a “consensus builder” I try to see all sides and come to one conclusion, but that doesn’t mean I internally don’t see things at being at odds with each other.
all that to say that I feel bad for baker because I want him to be happy, but the larger consensus is that he’s made a bad business decision and needs to move on with the group. he’s brought it on himself, but I’m glad he realizes the best path out of the situation for the larger good.
Good. Baker should make his motto “Winning, not whining”.
Bassett, I would like nothing more. I rarely get to NYC anymore much less Boston. But if I be around for awhile, a glass of wine to balance your beer sounds sweet.
BTW, the motto I would like is “All Pros get paid like it”. If Baker has an all pro year, he will not have to worry.
Average Joes, for better or worse, get treated like average joes.
Harlan
Any bets on Baker playing @ Cleveland?
i dont know about baker having a good year with all this talk about keller killing the defense and all…from what i’ve been reading…we have a superstar in our mist…i dont know about you guys…but i would throw to the superstar rather than to our solid baker boy…just my thoughts…
dakar only reason why he came back because he found out how good keller was and he knew that he was a few more practices from being released..
Now that baker has come to his senses, I hope he has a good year and the Jets re-do his contract, and make him happy. The only problem I had with him was his ripping the organization in public. The Jets should do something by the half way point of the season.
Obviously, Mike “The Christmas Tree” Tannenbaum gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Baker knew he was going to lose and he has no leverage. He is a solid TE, nothing more. He can’t stretch the seam. But he has good hands and is a more than adequate blocker.
Harlan – The problem with the NFL is the players’ union sucks. The players risk career altering injuries year in and year out and can be cut by their team at any time. These aren’t true long-term contracts. They are contracts the team controls. Try telling Chad Pennington he signed a long term contract. He got injured and was forced by the team to take a several million dollar pay cut. Yes, the players get some guaranteed money, but generally most contracts are very favorable to ownership.
Buddah, You are missing my point and wrong. Two have to sign a contract for it to be enforceable. Baker and his old agent were complicit in the deal to which he agreed.
Baker could have signed a one year deal. He was a FA. He wanted the security of an affordable 4 year deal given that no other NFL team wanted him.
If he had been a better player, we’d all be pissed we locked him up for too much or let him go. He was average and is getting paid average.
Again, if one wants a market deal, one has to be in a market situation. That is a one year contract with no bonus.
After a great year, you can make big bucks. Get hurt and …
BTW, you are wrong about Penny too. He could have held firm, not negotiated, been cut and found his true value on the open market. His agent probably broke the rules and shopped around and found that no one wanted an injured, older QB who never had a gun. The Jets were willing to have him walk. He was not willing to be unsigned. I fail to see the problem here.
harlan
harlan