It is funny that the border war has been extended to Cleveland - Kansas City as well. There were stories of Mangini and Pioli going after each other as a carry over..
Baker signs with Pats http://blogs.nfl.com/category/adam-schefter/ Patriots reach agreement with ex-Jet Baker Posted: February 27th, 2009 | Adam Schefter | Tags: Chris Baker, New England Patriots One of football?s top rivalries got a little spicier Friday when New England reached agreement with former New York Jets tight end Chris Baker. Earlier this month, the Jets released Baker rather than pay him the $9 million option bonus payment that was due to him in early March. At the time, the 29-year-old Baker said he was open to re-signing with the Jets and would like to return. But when New England called, and Baker heard the Patriots? offer, he liked that idea better. New England believes it is getting a player who had a career-high 41 catches in 2007, more than the player who caught only 21 passes for 194 yards and no touchdowns last season, when Baker lost some of his playing time to rookie first-round pick Dustin Keller. Now, another player in a long line of them ? Curtis Martin, Ty Law, Vinny Testaverde to name a few ? has changed teams in this heated rivalry. Baker is going to be a Patriot. And as one Jets fan just texted me when he heard the news, ?Whenever Pats pick up a former Jet, I get a pit in my stomach.?
I bet you Baker will have a break out season next yr...Jets didn't utilize him enough to his skills. He has unbelievable hands. Remember those one handed grabs? Im thinking he'll get like 60-70 catches, 600-700 yards and 9 TDs... Hopefully Im wrong and he ends on the IR in the first game.
I'm betting he'll be their big red zone threat, with all the coverage on Welker and Moss. I hate to wish bad on him since I did like him, but I'm with you on the IR wish!
wow a team that knows how to throw to their TE's. he'll be a good pickup for them and im not joking. wheres the Fred Taylor is a patriot threads cuz that happened also.
I always liked Baker. Nothing special but a good solid TE. Good hands and a solid blocker. Were going to need to find somebody who can block at that posistion now.
Baker is a solid TE who will likely do well in NE. And I'll bet he's playing for 1/3 the money we were going to pay him (if not the vet minimum). Too bad he wouldn't renegotiate with us.
Baker a Patriot. Ugh, I may be the minority, but I wish we kept him. I can see him being released before the season starts, though.
Chris Baker to the Patriots. We knew this would happen with at least ONE of the players we let go. The Patriots are like The GOP, always gotta one up their competition: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-5-132/Patriots-upgrade-at-TE-with-Chris-Baker.html Patriots upgrade at TE with Chris Baker February 27, 2009 11:31 AM Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham Baker If the New England Patriots can generate as much production from Chris Baker as he delivered two and three years ago, then he will outperform all of their other tight ends combined. The Patriots are expected to announce Friday they have signed Baker, who spent his first seven NFL seasons with the New York Jets. Baker's numbers faded last year for the Jets, who drafted Dustin Keller in the first round and signed veteran Bubba Franks. Baker finished with 21 catches for 194 yards and zero touchdowns. But Baker's previous two seasons were much more effective. In 2007, he had 41 receptions for 409 yards and three touchdowns. In 2006, he had 31 catches for 300 yards and four touchdowns. The Patriots have wanted more contributions from their tight ends for years. Last year's duo, Benjamin Watson and David Thomas, combined for 31 receptions, 302 yards and two touchdowns. Also on New England's roster are Tyson DeVree and Brad Listorti, prospects with no NFL receptions. The addition of Baker and running back Fred Taylor make an already remarkable Patriots offense even more versatile. Taylor adds depth to the backfield, while Baker could be the target they hoped when they drafted Watson 32nd overall in 2004. Watson had fine seasons in 2005 and 2006, but he has a history of injuries.
