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As the latest dispute continues to unfold between the New York Jets and a player who claims that promises were made but not honored, the Jets are reportedly taking the position that they made no promises at all.
Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News, citing an unnamed source, reports that the Jets never made any promises to Baker of a new contract. Cimini also reports that the team does not intend to adjust his deal.
Baker will earn $683,000 in base salary this year as part of a four-year deal that averages $1.65 million annually. As salaries go, he’ll trail Bubba Franks and Dustin Keller.
Baker’s pay for 2008 would have been $800,000 higher if the team hadn’t given him a salary advance in November 2007.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 am
i would expect more from you guys, taking the bait from extortionist players/agents and beat reporters like rich cimini, who love a controversy, so they have something juicy to cover.
they’re just re-running the same play, calling tangini liars, cimini makes the case that things are out of control, and the organization is forced to put out another fire.
i would expect more from a leader like coles, but not from medium-talent baker or ye olde loudmouthe kendall.
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May 2nd, 2008 at 10:46 am
You know, if he received an $800,000 salary advance against this years salary 6 months ago, it really changes this scenario a bit, don’t you think?
As a NY Giants fan, I love watching the Jets implode, but i gotta tell you, if he already received more than 50% of his salary for this year - I don’t think he has a lot to complain about….
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May 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 am
Well as far as receptions go he had 41, and that was ranked 19th among TE’s in the league. He is the 20th highest paid TE. He makes around 1.65 million! That sounds even to me. Why over pay him? What if he averages another 41-42 reception year? I like the guy but business is business!!!
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May 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
This guy is retarded.
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May 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I watch the AFC East and I couldn’t tell you if Baker is even any good or not. It’s one thing when Richard Seymour wants more money. But despite my dislike of the Jets, I think they are totally in the right here.
It does make you wonder though if institutionally they simply are not communicating on the up-and-up with their players.
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May 2nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Baker is a nice player with plus hands. He’s an adequate, not superior, blocker. He’s great for that tough short yardage catch. He is easily replaceable, particularly if Dustin Keller can provide the Jets with a seam threat.
Baker’s only legitimate gripe is that his backup, Bubba Franks, is making more than him. Baker is essentially a clone of Franks in his prime- a guy who with great hands and no down field ability. He’ll consistently float in that 40 catches, 400 yards range. The Jets would be wise to ignore him.
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May 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 am
Pete Kendall said he was promised a new deal by team management……didn’t happen.
Laverneus Coles said he was promised a new deal by team management…. but it took a front-page pissing contest to make it happen.
Now Baker is alleging that he, too, was promised a new deal.
See a pattern developing? You can be sure the Jets’ veterans see it…..and I could see it having a signficant impact on future contract negotiations. It’s a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” situation…only the team is apparently unwilling to scratch back.
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