So the Jets starting tight end, Chris Baker, is holding out from the team’s off-season workouts or somesuch; and he might skip mandatory minicamp. Why? Because, he says, the Jets promised him a new contract if he played well. The mind reels at this player’s stupidity.

To be clear, Baker’s 2007 — 41 recs for 409 yards and three TDs, along with solid blocking — was perfectly respectable for a solid tight end. Tony Gonzalez he wasn’t, but he was fine. But holdout-worthy? Baker’s best years came when I was at the controls on Madden football.
The NY Daily News’ Jets blog has a good rundown of the Baker situation in terms of contract history. The notion that the Jets made him any promises seems unlikely — why would they? More likely he saw that Pete Kendall whined and was traded (and got a new contract) and that Lav Coles whined and got a new contract. So he figures if he bellyaches …

But there’s a serious difference between a top-notch offensive lineman or a top wide receiver and a solid-but-unspectacular tight end. (Especially since the Jets wasted a first round pick on a tight end.) Seriously — a mediocre tight end holding out?

I guess it’s not bad work if you can get it.