Chris Baker

Christopher T. Baker (born November 18, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2002 NFL draft. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans.

Early life Christopher T. Baker was born on November 18, 1979, in St. Albans, New York.

College career Baker played college football at Michigan State from 1998 to 2001. He finished with 133 catches for 1,705 yards and 13 touchdowns including a career best season as a senior with 40 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns.

Professional career

New York Jets Baker was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round (88th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. During the 2005 season, he served as the starting tight end until becoming injured and placed on the injured reserve list. Baker had a breakout season in 2006, setting career bests in receiving yards, receptions, touchdowns and starts, as the Jets finished 10-6 earning the fifth wild card spot. After a career year in 2007, Chris said the Jets promised him a new contract and lied.

Baker felt disrespected with the Jets decision to use their first-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft on Dustin Keller and their acquisition of free agent Bubba Franks, which pushed Baker to third on the depth chart and made him the least-paid Jets tight end, despite his productive past two seasons. The Jets finally extended Baker with a three-year, $12.2 million contract extension through 2012, but it came with an out-clause stating the Jets would owe him nothing if he was cut from the team before March 5, 2009.

On February 20, 2009, Baker was released by the Jets.

New England Patriots On February 27, 2009, Baker signed a five-year contract with the New England Patriots. On September 27, 2009, Baker caught Tom Brady's 200th career touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the Patriots and Falcons game. Baker played in all 16 games for the 2009 season.

On March 4, 2010, Baker was released by the Patriots.

Seattle Seahawks On March 13, 2010, Baker signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks, primarily to serve as a blocking tight end. On January 4, 2011, Baker was placed on a season-ending injured reserve due to a fractured bone in his hip, four days before Seattle's playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. Baker played in all 16 games for the 2010 season and caught nine passes for 116 yards and a touchdown.

On February 24, 2011, Baker was released by the Seahawks.

Career statistics

NFL Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 2002 NYJ 12 1 3 2 14 7.0 10 0 2003 NYJ 16 0 18 14 137 9.8 24 0 2004 NYJ 16 0 29 18 182 10.1 23 4 2005 NYJ 8 8 25 18 269 14.9 47 1 2006 NYJ 16 14 45 31 300 9.7 28 4 2007 NYJ 15 15 61 41 409 10.0 22 3 2008 NYJ 16 13 30 21 194 9.2 29 0 2009 NWE 16 7 19 14 142 10.1 36 2 2010 SEA 16 13 19 9 116 12.9 44 1 131 71 249 168 1,763 10.5 47 15

Playoffs Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 2002 NYJ 2 0 3 3 26 8.7 16 1 2004 NYJ 2 0 4 4 15 3.8 6 0 2006 NYJ 1 1 6 5 68 13.6 26 0 2009 NWE 1 1 2 1 2 2.0 2 0 6 2 15 13 111 8.5 26 1

College Season GP Receiving Rec Yds Avg TD 1998 11 22 305 13.9 3 1999 12 38 391 10.3 4 2000 11 33 461 14.0 2 2001 12 40 548 13.7 4 Totals 46 133 1,705 12.8 13

Personal life In May 2009 Chris married his girlfriend, Yadira Taveras, in Long Island, New York. Together, they have a son, Chris Jr, and daughter Tamia. They reside near Boca Raton, Florida.