Year after year the Jets get a new TE and then eventually send them off after a disappointing season to Hackett and the Bucs. I know Baker made that unbelievable "catch" at the end of the Browns game but we all know the truth is we need a weapon at tight end. Maybe if Mangini gets to pick his own TE in the draft this year we can actually have the weapon at the most lackluster position we have on the offense. Would you consider drafting someone like Greg Olsen(Junior UMiami) or Zach Miller(Arizona State). I mean all the underacheiving tight ends we have had recently all came from the Herm era. Baker has been in the system for a while and still hasn't had that season where he breaks out like Cotchery had this year. I know they both play different positions but with the great pass protecting our O-line had this year, it should have allowed Baker to assert himself in the passing game but that didn't really happen. I guess I'm just ranting but what do you all think about having Mangini and his staff bringing in a new TE into their system to develop into a weapon. Personally I have seen Olsen play in HS and College and he reminds me of a Todd Heap type player plus hes from Miami and the successful players that have come out of there cannot be ignored. Just wondering what you all think about it. Thanks.
If we took a TE in the first round and he was a STEAL then I would be perfectly fine with it. We need atleast a LITTLE depth at receiving options and our blocking needs improvement...
I believe that the Pats have a number of TEs coming into free agency , one of which is Watson. If we were to make a move for anyone , I would like it to be him. I actually think you are underrating that position. TE certainly is not a pressing need and with the personel we have at the moment , I'd prefer us to address other issues first. Baker had a chance to prove hi,self this year ,and as far as I'm concerned he has. Everything hes been asked to do hes done , be it blocking or receiving. Player .................No.... Yds... Avg.. Long... TD Laveranues Coles 91..... 1098... .12.1.. 58.......6 Jerricho Cotchery 82...... 961... 11.7.. 71....... 6 Justin McCareins 23....... 347.. .15.1.. 50........1 Chris Baker....... 31........300... 9.7... 28.........4 I can't remember any drops or fumbles can you? In fact the only thing thats wrong is that he hasn't had the ball often enough , but is that his fault?
I seem to remember an article or two where he expressed some frustration for not being used more in the passing game. That said, he also accepted that he was an important part of the team weather it be catching TDs or being used as a blocker. With experience, and improvements to the O-line, I imagine his opportunities will increase. He's got great hands, blocks well, and is a team player. We have got much greater needs.
Baker is a good starting TE. He caught the ball when it was thrown to him. It seemed as though he stayed in and blocked more often than not, which is due largely to the scheme, not a lack of receiving ability. Guys who are only receivers would probably be rather useless in this scheme (they would catch some passes, but not anymore than Baker did last year). What I think we need is a solid #2 TE. I hate to say this, but someone in the mold of Anthony Becht(with slightly better hands). We need a #2 TE who is a very good Blocker and a decent receiver. Pociask might be that guy, as he was drafted to be that H-Back/blocking TE but was on IR all year. We shall see...
gusto, I think the Pats TE that is coming up to FA is Graham, but I'm too lazy to check on that. As for us, I don't know that we need another TE. I thought Baker did well this year, in fact, does well whenever we call on him. Another TE would give us tremendous versatility, which is always a good thing, but I think our needs are too great along both lines to be ignored.
TE is the least of my worries now. Baker can catch most of the balls thrown his way, and Ryan did a pretty nice job of blocking last year. If we pick up a gamer in FA, great. Otherwise, let's look to what we already have or someone on Day 2.
TE Is an area that we are O.K. in . Im disapointed that Shotty isnt using the TE the way he did in SD,I think Baker could be that antonio Gates kind of player(Every thing thats thrown at him gets caught). Didint Ryan get cut or realeased?
From what I know, Ryan is still on the roster, but then again these moves happen so quickly and quietly nowadays, so you never know.
Looking at the receptions figures above, it's hard to see where another TE would get more catches. However, where the Jets need to utilize Baker and the TE's more is down in the red zone. As you can see, the TD catches are substandard across the board. Schott needs to work on scoring plays inside the 10 yard line, as was made painfully clear in the playoff game and in the Bears game. With Coles and Cotchery split wide, it leaves the whole center of the endzone open for TE's to run routes. Jets need to have plays that exploit the back line between the hashes the way the Pats and Colts do. If the Jets can come up with some "unstoppable" routes down low, it will allow Schott's offense and Chad to reach their potential.
Chris Baker is just fine. He's a big TE, who can actually catch the ball, unlike some Jets (coughBECHTcough). Plus, he can block well. And he has some quickness with his feet and legs, so that's a plus for a TE. I don't think he need to worry about getting a new Tight End anytime soon.
Watson isn't a FA or RFA for that matter... it's Graham who is a UFA this year. Graham can probably block better than Baker, but I don't see him as a significant upgrade at TE. There are other positions I'd rather see some cap money spent on.
don't forget about the touchdown maker...i think baker is a great tight end, great blocker, good receiver however, i'd like to see some double tight end sets...i'm not sure if shaun ryan is that other tight end capable of being a receving threat as well as a blocker, so i wouldn't be opposed to drafting a tight end...i'm not sure if there are any 1st round or even 2nd round caliber tight ends (like a vernon davis), and i think we can get a good receiving tight end on the 2nd day of the draft can't wait til the draft:jets:
I like Baker, but we could use a blocking TE. Sign someone like Kyle Brady, that guy is a hell of a run blocker!
