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Bits from Baker

Email|Link|Comments (14) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff March 3, 2009 04:58 PM

New Patriots tight end Chris Baker held a conference call with media members today (4:30 p.m.) and here were a few nuggets of note:

1) Nothing like playoff action. Baker was asked if there was a game that stands out to him over his seven-year career, and he pointed to the 2004 playoffs -- when the Jets beat the Chargers, 20-17, in overtime, before falling to the Steelers, 20-17, in overtime. In signing with the Patriots, Baker said he hopes to be part of more playoff action. Baker also called last season's overtime win over the Patriots one of the most fun games in which he's played.

2) Patriots were the primary suitor. Baker said he did not take any other visits. The Patriots jumped out early in terms of their interest. "It was kind of a quick process," he said. "That's where I wanted to be."

3) From Brett Favre to Tom Brady. Asked if he's given any thought about going from one all-time great (Favre) to another (Brady), Baker said that has indeed crossed his mind. "That's a unique situation -- I can't imagine too many people have had the opportunity to do that," he said.

4) Pride in combination skills. When asked what he does best, Baker said he takes pride in being equally as effective as a blocker as he is a pass-catcher.

5) Always got up for the Patriots. Told he had more catches against the Patriots than any other team, Baker said he didn't realize that was the case. "I always got up a little more for that game, to be honest, because they were always the best team," he said.

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14 comments so far...

Baker is a good signing for the team. He provides insurance against Watson going down, which he often does, and his presence also means that we don't have to either overspend to keep or overdraft to replace Watson.

And someone has to catch the red zone TDs that Vrabel used to get ;)

I think he signed a five year deal with a $1.5m signing bonus and salaries of 1.6m, 2.0m, 2.1m, 2.6m, and 2.9m, with a 1.2m option bonus in 2011 and $100k in workout bonuses each season. Cap friendly deal. Excellent second TE for the team.

Posted by JR March 3, 09 05:48 PM

Too bad we don't have a QB on the roster anymore to pass to him. I'm not sure who the Patriots will get to replace Cassel now. Is Michael Bishop still available? It might take big money ($40 million over 4 years), but I bet we might have a shot at him with this extra cap room. If we don't sign Bishop or get Cassel back somehow, I'll be BOYCOTTING FOXBORO STADIUM along with thousands of other fans.

Posted by Tip Gibson March 3, 09 05:54 PM

We real fans won't be losing sleep over your absence, Tip.

Posted by CharlieK March 3, 09 06:03 PM

Personally, I prefer Baker over Watson. I think he was mostly misused in the Jets offense under Mangini. He's a good receiver with sure hands, runs good routes, and can block pretty well. He doesn't have Watson's speed, but I don't think Watson makes very good use of that speed anyway.

I hope they make a run for Robert Royal for the #3 TE, if he's cheap.

Posted by MarkZ March 3, 09 06:07 PM

Are you on high, Tip? Tom Brady is our quarterback! Did you start watching football halfway through last season?

Posted by joshua March 3, 09 06:09 PM

Tip...Tip....Tip...
What are you blathering about? Maybe we should sign Favre!
LOL

Posted by steve March 3, 09 06:19 PM

Is Tip Gibson serious? Is he high? We have this QB named Tom Brady, who's you know pretty good...

Posted by Raul March 3, 09 06:37 PM

Baker is going to be perfect in the Patriots offense. Loading up the weapons again - very fun times are ahead.

Posted by Lance March 3, 09 06:46 PM

Umm, Favre is retired so we can NOT sign him (as much as I would love to). And I have been watching football for years and I used to play football in high school (two time all star), so I am an expert on the sport. Maybe some big money can talk Favre out of retirement? I am sure Baker would LOVE it because he would get a lot of touches.

Posted by Tip Gibson March 3, 09 06:48 PM

TB is our QB and will be for a while so get used to it!! Baker was a great signing especially since hes cheaper than some of the other TE's. Expect big things this offseason!

Posted by Phil March 3, 09 06:49 PM

Tip..Look up "sarcasm" in your high school dictionary. Jock from high school...Hmm , maybe no dictionary.
Brady should have a great season as the QB. You remember Brady, Tip. A few more moves to shore up the defense will help even more.

Posted by Steve March 3, 09 07:05 PM

Keep hope alive: bring back Bishop to Sean Morey!
Ah, how I wonder what could have been while stuck with another year of Brady to Moss.

Posted by Feelin Kinda Dangerous March 3, 09 07:54 PM

Guys guys......Tip is the same idiot who always posts asinine statements under different names--usually he's one of the first to comment (he doesn't have a life)--probably a Jets fan or ex-Pats fan. He obviously giggles in his jammies while he posts kiddie comments attacking Mike Reiss, or the Krafts, HOF-bound-Brady, or a player he's never heard of (99 percent). The best medicine for this fool is to ignore him. Let the assembling of the 2010 World Champion New England Patriots continue!

Posted by Rex Ryan March 3, 09 08:09 PM

Tip, boycott Foxboro Stadium all you want. It was chopped up into little tiny pieces and mixed into the concrete that is now Gillette Stadium.

Posted by hawkmano-1 March 4, 09 11:18 AM

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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