JETS PUT BAKER ON PUP LIST
INJURED TIGHT END IN CONTRACT SQUABBLE ON EVE OF CAMP
Post Staff Report
Last updated: 6:48 pm
July 21, 2008
Posted: 5:10 pm
July 21, 2008
The Jets today announced that unhappy tight end Chris Baker has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list two days before the start of training camp.
Baker, who has been outspoken about his current contract situation, tweaked his back and did not participate in last month's minicamp, a situation that many speculated was related to his contract squabble.
"I've actually tried to avoid this at all costs; every step of the way my agent has been communicating with [GM] Mike [Tannenbaum] and trying to stop this from happening," Baker said June 6.
Baker has two years left on a deal that pays him about $1.65 million per year. Tannenbaum has denied ever telling Baker's agent last year he would redo Baker's contract.
Baker's agent, Jonathan Feinsod, was asked if the move was expected or related to the contract dispute. He replied simply, "No comment, no comment, no comment."
A team spokesman said that it's not contract related.
Baker has said he believes the way the Jets handled the Pete Kendall situation last year hurt the team's season. Kendall, also unhappy with a contract, participated in training camp before he was traded to Washington.
"Guys are definitely concerned about it," Baker said in June. "I can guarantee you after this is all said and done there will be someone out here going through the same thing next year and the following year because of the way things are handled here.
"My advice to guys would be if you're going to do anything, as far as with this organization, get it in writing, because things may be said with a wink and then the next thing you know they say something has been misconstrued. This is three times and, like I said, this is going to continue to happen."
Baker said he thinks it could happen again this year with him, but Eric Mangini said he's not concerned.
"I don't think that one guy can affect the group," Mangini said in June.
Baker's injury came a day after he made it clear he was not happy, and said then no one should question him.
"I took three injections in my back three different times last year," he said. "You know what I mean? This was at the point where we were 1-7 and things like that.
"If anybody ever questions whether I want to be on the field or things like that that's up to them, but I could have easily packed it in last year and I didn't do it. And it wasn't like we were fighting for a playoff spot halfway through the year."
The Jets solidified the tight end position in the offseason, signing free agent Bubba Franks and drafting Dustin Keller out of Purdue with the 30th pick in April's draft. The Jets signed Keller on Friday to a multiyear contract.
Baker can't practice until he is removed from the list, which can happen at any point. He can participate in team meetings.
Baker was selected in the third round (88th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 83 career games, starting 37, recording 124 receptions for 1,311 yards (10.6 avg) and 12 touchdowns.
In 2007, he recorded 41 receptions for 409 yards and three touchdowns.
The Jets report to training camp, their final one at Hofstra, on Wednesday, with practices to begin Thursday.
With AP
