BAKER LIKES HIS NEW ROLE By MARK CANNIZZARO August 31, 2006 -- Chris Baker is well aware of the black hole the tight end position has been for the Jets over the years and he's desperate to make amends for that with his untapped talents.Baker thought last year was going to be his breakout season, but a broken leg after the Jets' eighth game of the season sabotaged that idea.This is Baker's fifth season as a Jet and, as the undisputed No. 1 tight end on the roster, he believes it's his time."I grew up a Jets fan, so I know the history," Baker said of the numerous failed tight-end experiments that have included talented first-round-draft-pick teases Johnny Mitchell, Kyle Brady and Anthony Becht. "Everyone wants to leave his mark wherever they go, and I aspire to be a tight end they remember on this team. "I kind of left that mark at Michigan State, where I caught a lot of balls, and obviously I want to do that here. What I really am focused on is helping the team win. If I have to go out and block, I want people to say, 'Hey, that guy was great for the running game.' Whatever it takes, I'm looking forward to contributing."Baker came out smoking in last year's season opener in Kansas City, catching seven passes for 124 yards and a TD. His production slowed with the rest of the offense when the team lost quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler for the season in the third game.When Baker broke his left fibula, he finished the season with 18 catches for 269 yards and one TD.Baker hinted that under Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer there might be more activity in the passing game for the tight end. Mangini yesterday praised Baker for his versatility and his communication."This is a fresh start, so old perceptions about what I could and couldn't do from old coaching staffs are out the window," Baker said. "This is a new staff and they're looking at me through new eyes, and whatever I can show them is what they're going to allow me to do."When I first got here I was behind Anthony and they needed me to block. Last year, I started to get a little more involved in the offense and I got hurt. This year, hopefully I can build on what I started last year and keep going from there
I really like Baker, he has that Power Forward body that is unique in todays NFL. In the past guys like Hilton (Noveckek, Metzalars, Eric Green, B Jones) were great because they could block and engulf the LB. Now guys like gates, Gonzalas, Crumpler and mabye Baker can fit the vertical game better, just want to make sure he can block. All in all I love his upside, I thnk he wil have a BIG year!
I like Baker, more than any TE in a long time for the Jets. He has the tools. It's just a matter of the game plan using them.
Hopefully Chris Baker won't have to write any books stating the obvious, like a former JET now in Carolina.
I hope Ramsey is not the one trying to hit the TE on a route....he looked terrible trying to throw a pass to the flat, no touch
