http://nyj.scout.com/2/771868.html If you expected Chris Baker to continue blasting the Jets organization on Thursday during his press briefing, you had another thing coming. Baker, who wants a new contract, is now attempting to take a less vitriolic approach with the team. Baker, who addressed the media for the first time in two months, had nothing bad to say about the Jets. "I'm letting my agent handle the business side," said Baker. "I'm excited to get back on the field and get back to business." Baker, currently on the PUP list with a back ailment, is working on the side of the training camp practice field with Jets conditioning coach Sal Alosi. So is their anything new on the contract front? "I can't really talk about it," said Baker. "We are looking for a solution. They are talking." Baker, a Queens-native, wants to remain with the Jets. He's no longer looking for a trade. "I want to be here," said Baker. So this dispute is going to be resolved in the near future? "I'm pretty sure," said Baker. Baker is currently in the third year of a four-year contract that averages $1.65 million per season. That is a low deal compared to comparable players like linebacker Bryan Thomas and offensive tackle Damien Woody, who make $5 million per season.
Of course he's going to shut up now. He's seen firsthand that his antics have led to his quick demise and placement on the PUP list. The guy is now trying to be diplomatic and have his agent handle matters. Proof once again that you can't negotiate your contract through the press...
If he learned his lesson fine, but his play on the field this year will be his apology to the fans for being an ass.
interesting...why wouldn't Baker take this approach in the spring time....i thought for sure he would cause a distraction...considering he shares the same agent as P.Kendall.
Hello!!! Average TE = Average Pay. That is exactly what he is getting. This is a fight that he can't win..the Jets hold all the cards and have him by the balls!
He'll be traded by the time camp closes. He was one of the few players who was increasingly available to the press last season as things degenerated on the field. He actually lost playing time because of that and Mangini is not going to want him in the locker-room if things are dicey in midseason this year. It really surprises me that the Jets didn't just work a trade for him in the runup to the draft. They really don't handle player-agent issues well. They need to get a lot better at that or they're going to be roadkill at some point.
Yes we just need to cave to the demands of every player no matter how silly they are. hmy: This is not Brett Farve, its Chris fucking Baker. He needs to sit down and shut his ass up or he'll talk his way on to the bench and out of a job before long. If we have good leaders in our players then they can handle the locker room problems of one very mediocre TE.
looks like Baker's agent told him he wasnt good enough to run his mouth, and hes going to need to STFU if he ever wants either a new deal or a new team. No one wants a loud mouth who cant back up his talk.
Ha! Love it. Mangini wont let Woody's car space be abused after all the $$ he shelled out in pre season.
Actually, it probably wasn't his agent that caused him to shut up. It was more than likely the trip to the PUP list. As soon as he realized he had two choices: 1) STFU and beg for mercy or 2) kiss his career goodbye, he probably said to himself "Self, we're about to be really broke. We're just not good enough to survive in the wild if we miss the first 6 weeks of the season." He'll get no love from me this year, if he does remain. He's under a microscope now, and any mistakes he makes will cost him. F Baker.
Exactly. I love how the writer titled the article "Baker Taking the High Road". High road my ass. More like he tried like hell to be a hard ass, got punked down, failed miserably and stuck his tail between his legs. The title should have been "Baker Knows his Role."
