One of the attorneys representing New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker believes he’s the victim of a “shakedown,” but acknowledges the brush with serious prison time has scared the second-year player straight.
“He’s got an opportunity to become the next Ray Lewis and not the next Ray Rice,” attorney Patrick G. Patel told SNY late Sunday night. “There’s two guys who went in two different directions. I told DeAndre that. And he seems very focused. He’s scared straight. I can say that.”
Lewis was, of course, accused of murder but went on to have a career that ended with enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The same can not be said for Rice, who never played again after video emerged of a violent assault on his then-fiance (now wife).
But before either of those paths can be taken, Baker must still deal with four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Patel believes those charges are “complete garbage.”
“There was no robbery,” Patel said. “Nothing at all. He’s absolutely taking that position. And I’m confident the state is going to look at all the facts and realize it’s absurd that a kid making $2 million a year is going to steal a fake watch.
“The situation is simple: Dre was the first-round draft choice at the party. There were no other first-round draft picks. [Quinton] Dunbar is an NFL athlete too. These two guys were the marks.”
Both Baker and Dunbar were released on bond after their first court appearance on Sunday, and now the state has 30 days to decide whether or not they want to formally charge the pair.
Patel does not anticipate they will.
Instead, Patel, who is currently housing Baker, expects the cornerback to return to the Giants’ virtual meetings as early as next week. He also believes the Giants will see a “changed man.”
“He seems like changed individual,” Patel said. “In two days. Sometimes going to jail does that. He’s scared straight. He’s completely focused on what he has to do. He’s just going back to work. And he’s certainly looking forward to nobody taking his position. He doesn’t want anybody taking his position as the Giants’ starting cornerback.”
The Giants have advised Baker to stay away from the team’s virtual offseason program and to instead focus on his legal woes, but should the state dismiss all charges, general manager Dave Gettleman & Co. could reverse course and allow Baker back.
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