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The Football Diner Big Interview:
Chris Baker
interviewed by Michael E Lawrence
13/10/2009
Tight end Chris Baker joined the Patriots this off-season after a seven-year stint with the New York Jets. Originally a third round pick for Herm Edwards back in 2002, Chris has developed into the consummate all-round tight end, clearing lanes for Patriot running backs and making plays in the passing game not least catching Tom Brady’s 200th career touchdown pass to see off the visiting Atlanta Falcons in week three this season.
With less than two weeks before the Patriots travel to London for a Wembley match-up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Football Diner caught up with Chris and asked him all about working with Brady, playing for Belichick, and his quest for that elusive Super Bowl ring.
FD
 Chris, you joined the Patriots after seven years with the Jets what’s it been like to swap sides in such a bitter rivalry?
Chris Baker
Well a big reason I signed with New England was the success they’d always had while I was over at the Jets, all those championships, that was the first thing. But you always want to play against a team you’ve been a part of and I get the chance to do that twice a year now it’s fun to play opposite some of my old teammates.
FD
The Patriots are coming off a tough loss to the Broncos on Sunday, how is the team responding?
Chris Baker
Of course, we’re not happy about the loss, but the policy here is very much: go in on Monday, see what you did wrong, get it out of your system and get back to work on Wednesday ready for the next opponent. That’s the case win, lose or tie. But it’s really something the Patriots do well, focusing on the task in hand a lot of teams say it, but it’s something we really believe in and really practise.
FD
Presumably that trickles down right from the top with Bill Belichick
Chris Baker
Absolutely. That’s his mindset and ours too. When I played for Eric Mangini in New York I got a taste of that Belichick style of mental preparation, but coming here has given me a chance to experience it firsthand. No matter what’s going on we’re focused on winning, on being prepared and on nothing but the job in hand.
FD
Back at the Jets you were renowned for having great hands, but your role has changed a bit in New England hasn’t it?
Chris Baker
It’s certainly changed from earlier in my career I have a much more diverse role now. I have the ability to catch the ball and create plays in the passing game just like I’ve always done since high school but I can also block and make things happen in the running game too.
FD
Was catching Tom Brady’s 200th career touchdown pass a big moment?
Chris Baker
It was big for me. Not only was it special because it was Tom’s 200th, but it was also the touchdown that really put the Falcons away and got us back on the winning track. It was a pretty special way to get the win.
FD
What’s it like playing with Tom Brady?
Chris Baker
He’s a great quarterback to play with, a great leader. I’ve been so lucky in my career to suit up with some great quarterbacks who were great men too Vinny Testaverde, Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Tom and Tom is the most accomplished of them all.
FD
Is he all the way back from his 2008 season-ending injury?
Chris Baker
He missed an entire season and it takes a little while to get your feet back under you after an injury like that, but he’s playing well. There are lots of new guys on offense to adapt to as well, but as the season goes on he’s getting better and better.
FD
 Let’s imagine the NFL awarded Chris Baker a brand new expansion franchise of his own, and you could pick any of Testaverde, Pennington, Favre or Brady in their prime to build around. Who would you choose?
Chris Baker
It’d have to be Tom, and not just because I’m playing with him now! He’s been in more of those big moments Super Bowls, playoff games than anyone. Brett too, he’s got a championship to his name, but Tom has three of them, and not too many players have ever done that. Not to take anything away from those other guys Vinny and Chad were great players too.
FD
Tell us what Randy Moss is like as a teammate
Chris Baker
He’s a future Hall of Fame receiver, one of the best ever, but he’s also a good team player. He doesn’t act like he’s better than the rest of the guys at all; he knows the game and he knows how to help all the other players on the field too.
FD
In two weeks’ time, you’ll be travelling to London to face the Buccaneers at Wembley stadium. Excited?
Chris Baker
Oh absolutely. It should be a great experience and it’ll be great to bring the game to London.
FD
Have you been before?
Chris Baker
I have been there once I’m pretty well travelled and I’ve been over to Europe three times.
FD
So probably not much sightseeing planned this time around?
Chris Baker
I don’t think I’ll get the chance anyway this trip is going to be strictly business and Bill won’t let us do too much sightseeing! It’s very exciting to visit again though. When I was a Jet I used to hope they’d be picked for one of these games, so it worked out nicely.
FD
The Bucs aren’t doing so well this season do you think you’ll beat them with room to spare?
Chris Baker
The thing about the NFL is you have to respect every opponent because every opponent can beat you. We’ll certainly be focused on winning and we’ll be confident like we are every week, but it should be a hard fought game and we’ll take nothing for granted.
FD
All being well, you could be 5-2 by the time you get on the plane home. Could that set the Patriots up for another run at a Super Bowl?
Chris Baker
I wish we could be 7-0 when we get on that plane, but that’s not possible now! You never know in the NFL by then we’d only be halfway through the season so we won’t get too up or too down about where we are. Our goal then will be the same as now just keep on improving and hope we can keep winning.
FD
What will your personal goals be for the game and the rest of the season?
Chris Baker
 My biggest thing is just to win. I came to New England to get a Super Bowl so I don’t really get caught up in the stats. I do whatever it takes to win, and if that includes catching a bunch of passes or not, so be it. As you get older in this league, the goal very much becomes chasing that championship above all else.
FD
And when you look back on your career eight seasons so far with New York and New England what are you proudest of?
Chris Baker
I think just my ability to adapt and get better. When I entered the league I was looked at as a pass catching type who wasn’t such a good blocker. I worked hard on that and I’m proud to have learned things that once I couldn’t do, to have strengthened my game across the board and prove doubters wrong. I’m proud of my longevity too the average NFL career is only three years long.
FD
So being an NFL tight end makes you pretty happy huh?
Chris Baker
I couldn’t ask for anything else, really. Sometimes I wake up and I can’t believe it to have achieved this and be where I’m at right now I didn’t even start playing the game until my junior year back in high school it’s amazing.
FD
Thanks Chris we wish you the very best in the coming weeks and we’ll see you in London…
Chris Baker
Thanks I’m looking forward to it.
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