Jets plan to release TE Baker February 20, 2009 The Jets have informed starting tight end Chris Baker that they plan to release him, a person close to Baker told the Daily News Friday. The move comes as no surprise, considering Baker's contract situation. Based on the three-year extension he signed last September, Baker was due $9 million in guarantees from 2009 to 2011 if he was on the roster on March 5. With money invested in Dustin Keller, a first-round pick last year, the Jets had no desire to guarantee that much money. But Baker's Jets career may not be over. The Jets remain interested in re-signing the popular tight end, according to sources. The plan is to let him test his value on the open market, with the hope of retaining him with a competitive offer. Baker has value because he's a three-down tight end. He caught 21 passes for 194 yards and no touchdowns last season.
I'm in favor of re-signing Baker at a reduced cost.....but with his ego, I'm sure he'll test the FA market first.
In hindsight, parking the Bentley in the team President's parking spot probably didn't do wonders for his long-term job security.
Popular? with who besides Murrell? Excellent move. Let him find out how much he is really worth, then sign him for it if he wants to stick around. He's a JAG, a good JAG, but a JAG.
We could sign Dan Campbell to a cheap contract to be our blocking TE. He's one of the best in the league in blocking and would come cheaper than Baker
Fantastic news. If it's approached right, it sends a good message to the vets on the team, too. Baker complained about being undervalued prior to last season. Give him what he asked for. FO should be open about wanting him to get the best situation, and then be open when he finds there's NO market for his services and comes crawling back home.
Say what you want about MT, but the guy has a good head on his shoulders as far as knowing how to trim the fat and make sure we have ample cash to spend in the offseason. Awesome!
This is dumb. Baker is a serviceable TE with good hands and blocking ability. So is Keller going to be able to pass protect like Baker could? I don't understand all of the Baker hate on this board.
So we sign a TE that can block well for half the price. He's overpaid for what he brings to the table and easily replaceable.
Yeah completely agree.....Not worth the cap hit. I cant believe people have a hard on for Baker he in essence has done nothing on the jets
He's serviceable, but did not have a great year and was a huge pain in managemants ass last offseason. Now that they are sure Keller is workinf out as a pass catching threat at tight end they do not need ot keep his trouble making around. Bring in a blocking TE and cut ties with him. I'd rather see offensive chances go to Keller anyway.
It's definitely hard to disagree with what you said. I think there is some value in having two TEs who can catch the ball though. Especially in short yardage situations. I was very disappointed we did pass out of a 3 TE set in a goaline situation last year. Baker/Keller/Franks would have been a mismatch for most LBs.
