Considering we haven't really used a TE as anything but a blocker, its a no brainer that he'll have more of an impact for them than he ever did for us. Perhaps he'll take some dancing lessons so he won't trip over his own feet on passing routes at critical moments in close games..
Baker is nothing but a solid number two tight end. He will backup Ben Watson and play the occasional two TE set. He is a solid player and is playing a role for them that most players at the position can play in the league. So while its not my favorite thing to see him go to them, i can rest at night knowing he would have the same impact as jeremy stevens would on the field
Chris Baker to the Patriots Let's hope this move doesn't backfire on us :S A. Schefter writes: 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.” http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/27/patriots-reach-agreement-with-ex-jet-baker/
Does this look like the NFL Forum? And if you checked....you'd notice this is already started. Welcome to TGG, Come Again.
I have mixed feelings. I really liked baker but the dude signed with the F'in pats. He did do some whining about a new contract during training camp. How could you sign with the pats of all teams?
Another classic example of a former Jet going to another AFC East team. Good thing we'll have a totally different defensive system.
Maybe he can tell Schotty how it runs, too. I'm going to hate seeing Baker in a Pats uniform. He has great hands and he's a capable blocker. He's not quick or evasive at all, but he's good for some first downs, Brady knows how to utilize players like him. I think we'll regret letting him become a FA.
Agreed. He was under utilized his whole career with us. Playing him twice a year, could eventually suck.