Jun 7th 2008 9:55AM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Jets, New York
Jets tight end Chris Baker is not happy with his contract and has even suggested he might not play for the team this year, and he sat out Friday’s mandatory practice after saying he hurt his back during warmups.
NFL players put their bodies on the line 16 Sundays a year, and they justifiably feel it’s an affront if someone accuses them of faking an injury. And yet … Is it possible that maybe Baker didn’t really hurt his back? He was asked that, and he pointed out that last year he toughed it out through a back injury, even taking painkilling injections so he could play in games after the Jets were eliminated from playoff contention:
“If anyone questions whether I want to be on the field, that’s up to them,” Baker said during another post-practice rip session. “I could’ve easily packed it in last year, but I didn’t do that.”
Although I basically feel that he’s wrong in thinking he deserves more money, I’m prepared to give Baker the benefit of the doubt on this back injury. I wonder if the Jets’ front office is.
