It has been nearly two years since the home of former Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins was the scene of an alleged killing and his brother was charged.

Now, it’s happened again to a local NFL star.

On Monday, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Haseez Brown, 33, the brother of former Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and weapons charges.

Brown is the older brother of Wilkerson, Linden Mayor Derek Armstead said Monday.

Prosecutors said Brown fired multiple shots into a vehicle outside his brother’s Bridgewater residence and struck the driver, Roobino Philemon, of West Orange.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Philemon attempted to go to a birthday party at the residence, but was told to leave. As Philemon was sitting in the car, authorities said Brown walked up toward the rear of the vehicle and allegedly fired multiple rounds into the vehicle, striking Philemon once.

This incident comes nearly two years since Jenkins’ brother was involved with a fatal incident at the home the former Giants cornerback’s rented Bergen County.

On June 26, 2018, William H. Jenkins, his brother, was charged with aggravated manslaughter when Roosevelt Rene, a music producer nicknamed “Trypps Beatz”, was found dead at Jenkins’ home.

Police officers found Rene’s body, after receiving a report of “suspicious conditions” at Jenkins’ home.

Rene and Jenkins’ brother had been living in the home while Janoris Jenkins was in Florida.

The homeowners eventually sued Janoris Jenkins for $700,000, claiming the crime devalued their property and that Jenkins and his brother did roughly $300,000 in physical damage to the residence.

Janoris Jenkins had a two-year lease for $66,000 a year or $5,500 a month that expired May 31, 2018, according to court documents cited by NorthJersey.com. He wanted to extend the lease at the time of the alleged killing, the documents said. 

Jenkins spent the following two seasons with the Giants before he was released in December. He signed with the New Orleans Saints.

Wilkerson has been out of the NFL since 2018, when he played one season for the Green Bay Packers. He spent seven years before that with the Jets and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015, when he accumulated a career-best 12 sacks.

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Joe Judge was an unknown commodity when the Giants hired him, and still is in some ways. He had never been a head coach before, so how did he convince Giants ownership to pick him as Pat Shurmur’s replacement?

Talk to anyone who knows Judge — friends, coaches, players — and their answer starts with the same point.

The key phrases: Attention to detail. Detail-oriented. Over-prepared.

That’s Joe, they said.

So, for anyone wondering why Judge and the Giants haven’t decided what to do with their two players arrested recently, start there.

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Cornerback DeAndre Baker was arrested last month in Florida and charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. Kicker Aldrick Rosas was arrested in California earlier this week and was booked for a misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license.

Both remain on the roster.

Will they still be here when training camp starts at the end of July? Or for the season-opener against the Steelers on Sept. 14?

That’s a decision that won’t be coming just yet. Judge and the Giants still have work to do before any decisions are made. That’s what he’s doing — finding out all of the details before deciding what to do with these two players, both projected to be starters this season.

“The only thing I’m going to say about DeAndre at this point is he’s currently on our roster and I’m not gonna comment on any ongoing legal investigation or legal situation,” Judge told NJ Advance Media’s Matt Lombardo on Monday, before Rosas’ arrest came to light. “That’s going to be my standard answer for anyone in a similar situation.”

The details in the collision report from the scene of Rosas’ alleged hit-and-run don’t paint a pretty picture. Per the California Highway Patrol report, Rosas was driving erratically at 100 miles per hour when he sailed through a red light and T-boned a pickup truck. He attempted to flee the scene, per the report, when his car broke down, then he left on foot. Responding officers found him barefoot and bloody on his hands, leg and feet.

Alcohol impairment, per the report, was believed to be a “factor” in the incident.

The Giants have been in contact with authorities about Rosas’ alleged incident and are gathering all available information before making any decision, a person familiar with the team’s thinking told NJ Advance Media.

Rosas, 25, was arrested for a DUI in California in 2016, though that was before his NFL career had started. He’s due to make north of $3 million this season and the Giants wouldn’t lose any money by releasing him.

With the 22-year-old Baker, in the days after the troubling affidavit for his arrest was announced on May 14 — which involved him allegedly robbing multiple people at gunpoint of thousands of dollars and multiple expensive watches — other information came to light that cast doubt on some aspects of the case. Lawyers for both Baker and Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar, also charged, presented signed affidavits from alleged witnesses to the bail hearing judge. It worked, as Baker was released on a $200,000 bond.

Since, his legal team has publicly (and repeatedly) defended his innocence.

“This criminal case is going to eventually be dismissed,” Patrick Patel, a Jersey City-based attorney and Baker’s attorney on NFL matters, said last month.

That seems less likely the more time that passes, as it’s been more than 30 days since Baker was released from jail on May 17.

Baker’s lawyers had a motion approved to allow him to return to New Jersey for work-related purposes. That includes training camp, scheduled for the end of July.

After the arrest, the Giants told Baker to stay away from the team’s virtual meetings on Zoom — he had reportedly missed some meetings prior to the arrest — to focus on his legal situation.

The Giants finished team meetings for non-rookies last week.

In the meantime, Baker has been working out most mornings with a trainer in Miami.

“He’s handling it outstanding,” Patel told NJ Advance Media in May. “He wants to be Ray Lewis, not Ray Rice. That’s the key to this kid’s future. Asking for forgiveness and asking for an opportunity to prove himself. This is the first time he’s ever really done anything. He’s never been in trouble before, he has no history of anything like this.

“This kid is not the typical troubled person,” Patel continued. “I’ve seen a complete change in his attitude, facial expressions, exposure. The kid is scared straight as far as I’m concerned.”

Baker was drafted in the first round last year out of Georgia — before Judge was hired — and came into the league with questions about his maturity. Various reports, including from NJ Advance Media, about his first year indicated he struggled to pay attention in team meetings, and at one point even publicly admitted to his struggle for grasping the team’s playbook.

That ultimately might not factor into Judge’s decision.

When he arrived, Judge emphasized that everybody on the roster was starting with a clean slate. That includes Baker, though his arrest is a separate issue.

Judge spoke about discipline at his introductory press conference in January.

“I would say when we spoke about discipline on the team, that’s something very important to me,” Judge said. “I think you need to have the fundamental foundation of discipline on your team, that you hold players accountable …

“It’s a family business for our ownership and it’s a family business for myself. My children have all been born in this business. Knowing that your passion is football, that your desire to win is what you truly love and that benefits your family and you’re representing something bigger than yourself.‘’

How will the Giants hold Baker and Rosas accountable for their (alleged) actions?

That remains to be seen, especially as the legal process plays out for both players. Rosas’ court date is scheduled for early September. Baker’s situation is still being considered by Broward County (Fla.) prosecutors.

This ultimately will be the first time Judge will have to … be the judge. It’s an important decision for the culture he’s trying to establish, and one he’s not taking lightly.

“He’s kind of a no-nonsense person when he handles players,” Ellis Johnson, one of Judge’s coaching mentors, told NJ Advance Media in January. “He ain’t going to put up with a bunch of bull crap.”

Looking at how the Patriots did things in Judge’s eight years on Bill Belichick’s staff, perhaps that can provide a clue as to how he’ll approach this Giants situation. In that time, seven players were arrested, the first being Aaron Hernandez in 2013.

Of the other six players, three were released shortly after their arrests: Brandon Spikes (hit-and-run), J.J. Worton (assault) and Montee Ball (domestic violence).

The three others stuck around: Alfonzo Dennard (DUI, charge dropped), Duron Harmon (drugs) and Patrick Chung, who was indicted for a felony cocaine possession last year.

At minimum, both Baker and Rosas could be subjected to punishment by the NFL for violating of the league’s code of conduct policy.

Whether that will occur with either player still on the Giants roster remains to be seen, as Judge is takes his time to, well, judge.

“It’s important,” Judge said in January, “to have good people in your locker room.”

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New York Giants place-kicker Aldrick Rosas was arrested Monday on a hit-and-run charge after California authorities found him walking along a road approximately 1.5 miles away from a crash scene while his “hands, legs, and bare feet were covered in blood.”

Rosas, 25, is suspected of having been impaired by alcohol, according to a California Highway Patrol report provided Tuesday to The Washington Post. He was booked into Butte County Jail on charges of misdemeanor hit and run and driving on suspended license, and was subsequently released with no bail (per the New York Daily News).

“We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with Aldrick,” the Giants said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.”

A spokesman for the NFL told The Post that the league declined to comment.

The incident occurred Monday at approximately 8:25 a.m. in Chico, Calif. According to the CHP report, witnesses said they saw a black Chevrolet SUV passing traffic by swerving into the oncoming lane while traveling at an estimated 100 mph.

The vehicle failed to stop at a red light and struck a Ford pickup truck that was in an intersection in what was described as a “T-bone” collision.

While the Ford was immediately disabled, the Chevrolet drove a little further before coming to a stop. The driver of the Chevrolet then “fled the scene on foot,” per the report, while wearing a blue shirt, blue shorts, and no shoes.

After failing to locate the driver at a residence that corresponded to the Chevrolet’s registration, a pair of CHP officers were heading back to the crash site to collect evidence when they spotted a male who matched the driver’s description.

The officers “contacted the male and observed his hands, legs, and bare feet were covered in blood,” stated the report, which added, “The male identified himself as Aldrick Rosas, the registered owner of the Chevrolet SUV.”

After going to a hospital for a medical check, Rosas was booked into jail. A representative of the CHP did not immediately reply to an inquiry about the condition of the driver of the Ford.

Rosas was previously charged with DUI in 2016, according to NJ Advance Media, which reported that the charge was dismissed but that he pleaded guilty to driving with a blood alcohol level of over .08 percent. That incident, for which Rosas was reportedly given 30 months’ probation, occurred in his hometown of Orland, Calif., located approximately 20 miles west of Chico.

The Giants “were aware of a prior arrest prior to him joining [the team],” a person described as familiar with the situation told NJ Advance Media.

After playing at NAIA-level Southern Oregon University, Rosas went undrafted in 2016 before being signed by the Tennessee Titans. He was released before the 2016 season but Rosas beat out Mike Nugent for the Giants’ kicking job the following summer and had a solid NFL debut, making 18 of 25 field goal attempts, including three of three from 50 yards or longer.

Rosas made the Pro Bowl after a 2018 campaign in which he made 32 of 33 field goals, but he dipped to 12 makes in 17 attempts last season. In May, the Giants placed a second-round tender on Rosas, worth approximately $3.3 million in salary for 2020 if he remains on the team’s roster.

“He has some major issues that need addressed, and I hope he gets help,” a former agent for Rosas, Derrick Fox, said of the kicker to the Chico Enterprise-Record. Fox said he represented Rosas through his time with the Giants until their working relationship was recently severed.

Another player for the Giants, cornerback Deandre Baker, pleaded not guilty in May to four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and four counts of armed robbery, in connection with an alleged incident earlier that month. Baker has been told by the team, per reports, to stay away from its virtual offseason until his legal situation attains more clarity.

The first court date for Rosas is reportedly scheduled for Sept. 4. That’s 10 days before the Giants’ scheduled season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NY Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas was arrested at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 15th for several scary accusations.

The NY Giants have tried their hardest to change the losing culture that has followed them for the last decade. This starts with each and every player to wear the “NY” helmet and them doing the right things and staying out trouble.

If only it was ever that simple.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

DeAndre Baker is still in Florida, training every day in the hopes that he’ll soon be able to rejoin the Giants.

The Giants, though, have still not welcomed him back. 

And it’s not clear when — or if — they will.

Though the 22-year-old cornerback is out on bail after being arrested in connection with an armed robbery last month, and is even free to travel to New Jersey, his status with the Giants remains unchanged, according to a source familiar with the team’s thinking. Baker was told to stay away from team meetings back on May 17 so he could “focus on his legal issues,” the source said, and he’s still not allowed to participate in any of their video meetings.

When and if that changes probably depends on what the prosecutors in Broward County, Fla. do next, according to Baker’s attorney, Patrick G. Patel. Baker was charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault stemming from an incident at a party in Miramar, Fla. on May 13. Patel previously told SNY the case against his client was “complete garbage” and that Baker was the victim of a “shakedown.”

In an interview with SNY on Wednesday, Patel reiterated his position and said he still expects the charges against Baker to be dropped — possibly by the end of this week.

“As soon this dismissal goes (through), he’s going to head back to Jersey and start practicing,” Patel told SNY. “If it becomes a charge, then the NFL will suspend him. So the Giants are really just playing it cool right now, which is the right thing to do. Just do nothing until the state makes a decision on what they’re going to do.”

Video: FNNY: Breaking down Baker, what to do with DeAndre?

Patel said the “general timeline” for prosecutors to make a decision is 30 days from when Baker turned himself in, which was on May 16. That gives them another 12 days to decide whether or not to proceed with the criminal case. Patel, though, said he expects the decision will come in the next few days. And he’s hopeful it will all be resolved before the NFL has to act.

“I think we’ve got the case won, to be honest with you. I think it’s only a matter of time,” Patel said. “But it’s the kid’s life. This kid will get suspended and lose his job, and then the case gets dismissed and what have we done? So everybody’s taking a wait and see approach.”

That does seem to be the approach the Giants are taking, keeping Baker away even though he’s free on $200,000 bail and a judge approved a motion that would allow him to return to New Jersey for work. The Giants, of course, are conducting their offseason virtually like every other team in the NFL, and it’s unlikely they will hold any in-person activities for players until training camp begins this summer. They are tentatively scheduled to open camp on July 29, though that obviously could be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patel believes that Baker’s case will be long over by then. He again told SNY that witnesses who identified Baker as the perpetrator of a crime have since recanted their statements to police. And he said he has evidence that Baker was logged in and playing the Madden NFL Football video game at the time the alleged crime and even the gambling that led to it took place.

Even if charges are dropped, the NFL could still punish Baker for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy — and they are investigating the incident that led to his arrest, according to a source. Regardless, Patel again said he believes Baker — who had attitude and work-ethic issues with the Giants last season — has been “scared straight” by this whole experience.

“Hopefully it’s a wake-up call for the young kid,” Patel said. “That’s what he needed. He wasn’t a first-round draft choice as a player last year, you know?”

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

DeAndre Baker is still in Florida, training every day in the hopes that he’ll soon be able to rejoin the Giants.

The Giants, though, have still not welcomed him back. 

And it’s not clear when — or if — they will.

Though the 22-year-old cornerback is out on bail after being arrested in connection with an armed robbery last month, and is even free to travel to New Jersey, his status with the Giants remains unchanged, according to a source familiar with the team’s thinking. Baker was told to stay away from team meetings back on May 17 so he could “focus on his legal issues,” the source said, and he’s still not allowed to participate in any of their video meetings.

When and if that changes probably depends on what the prosecutors in Broward County, Fla. do next, according to Baker’s attorney, Patrick G. Patel. Baker was charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault stemming from an incident at a party in Miramar, Fla. on May 13. Patel previously told SNY the case against his client was “complete garbage” and that Baker was the victim of a “shakedown”.

In an interview with SNY on Wednesday, Patel reiterated his position and said he still expects the charges against Baker to be dropped – possibly by the end of this week.

“As soon this dismissal goes (through), he’s going to head back to Jersey and start practicing,” Patel told SNY. “If it becomes a charge, then the NFL will suspend him. So the Giants are really just playing it cool right now, which is the right thing to do. Just do nothing until the state makes a decision on what they’re going to do.”

Video: FNNY: Breaking down Baker, what to do with DeAndre?

Patel said the “general timeline” for prosecutors to make a decision is 30 days from when Baker turned himself in, which was on May 16. That gives them another 12 days to decide whether or not to proceed with the criminal case. Patel, though, said he expects the decision will come in the next few days. And he’s hopeful it will all be resolved before the NFL has to act.

“I think we’ve got the case won, to be honest with you. I think it’s only a matter of time,” Patel said. “But it’s the kid’s life. This kid will get suspended and lose his job, and then the case gets dismissed and what have we done? So everybody’s taking a wait and see approach.”

That does seem to be the approach the Giants are taking, keeping Baker away even though he’s free on $200,000 bail and a judge approved a motion that would allow him to return to New Jersey for work. The Giants, of course, are conducting their offseason virtually like every other team in the NFL, and it’s unlikely they will hold any in-person activities for players until training camp begins this summer. They are tentatively scheduled to open camp on July 29, though that obviously could be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patel believes that Baker’s case will be long over by then. He again told SNY that witnesses who identified Baker as the perpetrator of a crime have since recanted their statements to police. And he said he has evidence that Baker was logged in and playing the Madden NFL Football video game at the time the alleged crime and even the gambling that led to it took place.

Even if charges are dropped, the NFL could still punish Baker for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy – and they are investigating the incident that led to his arrest, according to a source. Regardless, Patel again said he believes Baker – who had attitude and work-ethic issues with the Giants last season – has been “scared straight” by this whole experience.

“Hopefully it’s a wake-up call for the young kid,” Patel said. “That’s what he needed. He wasn’t a first-round draft choice as a player last year, you know?”

Scott Thompson, SNY.tv | Twitter |

The Giants find themselves with an upgraded roster heading into the 2020 season. GM Dave Gettleman made necessary changes via free agency and the NFL Draft that should have a big effect when the regular season rolls around. 

But there are a few players that stand out above the rest. It isn’t just because of their talent, but more importantly, because their production will impact the team in a positive — or negative — way. Make or break, if you will. 

Who are these Giants? Well, the first one is fairly obvious, but they are all entirely crucial to Giants’ success next year:

Daniel Jones

It’s Year 2 for “Danny Dimes,” and as is the case with just about every quarterback in the NFL, success runs through them.

Jones showed he can do just that with the Giants weapons — they haven’t changed at all — and that year of building chemistry and trust should lead to more success in 2020. But Jones’ mishaps like his 18 fumbles from last season need to take a downturn. We all know he has the attributes to make the big plays and lead this offense. He just has to be consistent with it in his sophomore season. 

With Eli Manning out, this is Jones’ team — whether he wants to say it or not. So taking charge and showing the Giants he can be a team leader while producing at a high level each week should be his main goal. The team needs it to happen. 

James Bradberry

Gettleman surprised many when he signed Bradberry, reuniting with his former second-round pick during his days as GM in Carolina. But the truth is the Giants needed a veteran corner that would not only serve as the team’s top option in that department, but also help mentor the very young group the team currently has. 

And with the DeAndre Baker situation that occurred over the weekend, Bradberry’s production is even more crucial, as the 2019 first-round pick’s Giants future isn’t set in stone. 

The NFC East is stacked in the receiver department, and playing teams like the Browns (Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry), Bucs (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin), Cardinals (DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald), and Seahawks (Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf) will deliver some very tough matchups for the Giants’ secondary. 

Bradberry was brought in to handle those top receivers, and he’s done so in the past. He had a 70.1 passer rating against and 59.8 completion percentage last season. If he has numbers like those in 2020, the Giants defense will take a leap forward. 

Video: Darnold and Jones: What are the odds on pass yards?

Kyler Fackrell

Another new face on defense, Fackrell was brought in to play the role Markus Golden did last season in that the Giants are hoping he can recreate his 2018 season that saw 10.5 sacks out in Green Bay with the Packers. 

Fackrell was blocked by Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith last season, which is why his stats took a tumble. But he wanted a fresh opportunity to prove he can be a starter, and reuniting with his linebackers coach in Patrick Graham was the way to go. 

Well, the Giants didn’t add an elite pass rusher like many thought they would in free agency. They also didn’t address it much in the draft either. So Fackrell will have to team up with Lorenzo Carter, who is going on his third season, and 2019 third-rounder Oshane Ximines, who was so-so in his rookie season. 

The Giants need someone off the edge that can consistently disrupt the quarterback. Fackrell has the best chance to do so, and frankly, the Giants have their fingers crossed that he will be their guy to get into the backfield each week. 

Xavier McKinney

The Giants were ecstatic to draft McKinney in the second round, as they didn’t think he would be there for the taking in the first place. He is expected to be the man standing by Jabrill Peppers each game, working as the team’s free safety. But McKinney is much more than just a ballhawk. 

McKinney’s ability to constantly be around the ball made him a valuable asset for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and the Giants should be picturing him as that same player in the blue and white next season. Covering tight ends in the slot, making tackles in the backfield, and making key interceptions is all in McKinney’s skill set. His presence also allows Peppers to play in the box more, where he is most impactful. 

Nick Saban, Joe Judge and Gettleman have all referred to McKinney as a playmaker. He even did himself during his post-draft interview. Well, the Giants need that to happen to give this defense a bigger fear factor as the weeks move along. Teams have thrived on big plays from busted coverage against New York in recent seasons. 

If McKinney can be that “quarterback of the defense,” like Judge envisions him to be, the Giants will sleep much better at night. 

Video: Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge talk Xavier McKinney

Nate Solder/Andrew Thomas

One offensive lineman has to make the list, but it’s hard to choose just one. And that’s because both of these tackles are crucial in making everything on offense run smoothly. 

We know the interior is going to be alright. Will Hernandez at left guard has proven to be a solid commodity, and Kevin Zeitler at right guard was a great trade pickup, as he proved with his 2019 campaign. Center will be a question between Spencer Pulley and Jon Halapio, but it should be alright. 

The biggest question marks are on the outside, and that’s not what you want to hear heading into a new year. It’s no secret Solder’s play has taken a hit since he came over from the Patriots two seasons ago when Gettleman made him the highest paid lineman in the league. If he plays the same way this season, the Giants may very well eat $6.5 million in dead cap room and cut him a year short of finishing his four-year deal. 

And then there’s Thomas, the Giants No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft that is expected to be Jones’ blindside protector of the future (aka when Solder leaves). He should project to start on the right side this season, though, with Solder aboard. 

These two solidifying the edge and playing good football with open things up a ton. And that’s putting it lightly. Saquon Barkley could stretch run to both sides, and more importantly, Jones can have more time in a solid pocket. 

If not, it won’t be pretty yet again for Big Blue on that side of the ball. 

Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker remained at large as of Friday evening, more than 24 hours after Miramar (Florida) Police issued a warrant for his arrest. He is charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Baker’s attorney, Bradford Cohen, issued a statement on Instagram late Friday night in which he referred to affidavits from “several witnesses that . . . dispute the allegations and exculpate our client.” He said his firm’s investigator has had those statements “for some time,” but Cohen did not include them with his statement.

“We would have rather presented them to the court at the proper time rather than in the media, but in this day and age, people rush to judgment,” he said. “Where some seek publicity, we seek justice. I look forward to moving this case forward to a proper conclusion, as we believe our client is innocent of any charges.”

Each count of armed robbery carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison in Florida — 15 years if a semi-automatic weapon was used, as has been alleged against Baker.

Tania Rues, the public information officer for the Miramar Police Department, told Newsday on Friday that “negotiations are taking place” between detectives and Baker’s attorney for his surrender. She also noted that negotiations do not always lead to a voluntary surrender and that if someone charged with such crimes does not turn himself in in a timely matter, there are “other avenues” the police can take.

“It’s a case-by-case basis,” she said of how patient police will be before actively searching for a suspect. “That’s not something we disclose because we’re not going to educate individuals who have arrest warrants on what our procedure will be.”

Arrest warrants were issued for Baker, 22, and Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar, 27, after they allegedly robbed four victims at a house party late Wednesday night. According to the affidavit, witnesses said Baker held a semi-automatic weapon on the victims and instructed others to collect their cash and watches. One witness also said Baker instructed an unidentified man also involved in the crime to shoot someone who had just entered the house, though there are no charges of any guns being fired.

Dunbar’s attorney, Michael Greco, said he has letters from the alleged victims stating that his client was not involved in the robbery. “All of the affidavits indicate my client is innocent,” Greco told the Miami Herald. Dunbar, like Baker, had not turned himself in as of Friday evening.

In response to Greco’s statement, Rues said the Miramar police have recordings from the victims and a witness saying otherwise and that those sworn statements have not been rescinded by any of the five. The warrant against Dunbar remained active, Rues said.

The Giants will wait to see how the legal process plays out before making any decisions about one of three first-round picks they selected last spring and a player they expected to be a key starting cornerback in 2020.

Baker could wind up on the commissioner’s exempt list at some point. If that is the case, he will not count against the team’s roster limit while he addresses his legal situation. Only Roger Goodell, not the team, can put that designation on a player.

Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and has been the Giants beat writer since 2008.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive

DeAndre Baker is in a lot of trouble and is facing an uncertain future, to say the least. His NFL career is obviously hanging by a thread. His freedom is in serious jeopardy, too.

The announcement by the Miramar (Fla.) Police Department on Thursday that they had issued an arrest warrant for the Giants cornerback was just the beginning of what could be a long and painful process for the 22-year-old former first-round pick.

Here, with the help of some legal and NFL sources, is a look at what Baker is facing and what comes next:

What are the charges?

 Baker, according to the arrest warrant issued on Thursday night, is going to be charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. With the help of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar and an unnamed, masked accomplice, Baker is accused of robbing four men of a total of $12,400 in cash and $61,000 worth of watches. The warrant said he used a semi-automatic weapon in the robberies. One witness said he also told the unnamed accomplice to shoot the victims (though the warrant does not mention any shots being fired or any injuries to the victims).

What is the legal penalty?

According to Florida’s “10-20-Life” law, each count of armed robbery carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, but that is escalated to 15 years if a “semi-automatic weapon” is involved, which is alleged here. So that would be a minimum of 60 years just on those counts. The counts of aggravated assault with a firearm has no mandatory minimum, just a maximum sentence of five years in prison per count.

So if he’s guilty, he’s going to jail for a long time then? Not necessarily. One Florida-based attorney told SNY that a prosecutor has the ability to waive the mandatory minimum and seek a lesser sentence. There is, of course, always the possibility of pleading down to a lesser charge.

When he turns himself in, will he be released on bail?

Not necessarily, but probably — eventually. All eight counts are listed on the warrant as “no bond hold,” which means Baker can’t simply show up, pay his bail, and head back to the Giants’ virtual offseason program. When he is arrested, he will be held by the Miramar Police Department until he can appear before Circuit County Court Judge Carlos Rebollo, the Broward County judge who signed the arrest warrant. Judge Rebollo will then hold a bond hearing and set bail, if he chooses. It’s not clear, though, when that hearing will take place and if there will be any delay related to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Why hasn’t he turned himself in yet?

Good question, and of course he should have done so already. According to a Miramar Police Department spokesman, they have been in touch with his lawyer. One source said there was an expectation that Baker would turn himself in on Friday. One legal source said the lawyer is likely negotiating the terms of Baker turning himself in – everything from doing it quietly, away from the media, and an expedited bail hearing, if possible.

In the meantime, what are the Giants going to do with him? Probably nothing at the moment. So far they are following the standard playbook for dealing with arrests. They issued a statement that said nothing and then they closed ranks. If they continue to follow that, they will wait for the legal process to play itself out and let the NFL take the lead on any investigation and discipline. There may come a point when they’ll have to decide whether to keep him or cut him, but that’s likely a long ways away.

Would they cut him?

Maybe eventually, especially if the details get out and are even uglier than what is known so far. Obviously, the Giants don’t want to dump a talented young player, especially a year after they traded into the first round to draft him. But they might eventually feel they have no choice. It just probably won’t happen until the legal system runs its course and the NFL takes the initial shot at discipline.

What are the cap ramifications of cutting him?

Baker is entering the second year of a $10.5 million rookie contract. He already got a $5.67 million signing bonus and he’s due $973,442 in salary this season, all of which is guaranteed. At minimum, cutting Baker would cost the Giants an extra $2.3 million against the cap this season, and he’d leave a lot of dead money on their books over the next two years. However, they’d likely try to negotiate all that down and possibly try to recoup some of his signing bonus.

Video: FNNY: Breaking down Baker, what to do with DeAndre?

What is the NFL going to do?

At the very least, it seems certain that the NFL will place Baker on the “Commissioner’s exempt list,” which is basically paid leave and it’s used to prevent players accused of violent crimes from being active while their cases are pending. It also conveniently takes such decisions out of teams’ hands. Baker eventually would be subject to discipline under the NFL’s Personal Conduct policy, even if he pleads down to a lesser charge or if charges are dropped. Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, that would be decided by a neutral third party jointly appointed by the NFL and NFL Players Association. Commissioner Roger Goodell is no longer the judge and jury for that.

Has Baker said anything yet?

No. Multiple calls to his agent were not returned to SNY either. And it’s not clear at this point which lawyer is representing him. You can bet that lawyer will issue some kind of statement after Baker’s arrest.

Have the Giants said anything yet?

Just a bland statement through their PR department that said “We are aware of the situation. We have been in contact with DeAndre. We have no further comment at this time.”

Should they say anything more?

They are probably right not to say anything now, since we likely don’t have anywhere near all the facts yet. But eventually, yes, they need to say something. And they all do – John Mara, Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge.

Hopefully they learned something from how they mishandled the Josh Brown affair – when they re-signed their kicker despite a domestic violence arrest, only to cut him once the media unearthed all the sordid details. They let Ben McAdoo, their young coach, take the lead publicly and he ended up praising Brown’s character though he clearly didn’t know all the details of what happened. Then, when the details came out, Mara and then-GM Jerry Reese refused to say anything for more than a week.

Now’s not the time, but they can’t wait forever. If they decide to stand by a player who is accused of using a gun to rob people and ordering the victims to be shot, they owe it to everyone to explain why. Hiding behind statements will make them look terrible, again.

The bottom line

Will Baker ever play for the Giants again? It’s hard to predict, and he is of course innocent until proven guilty. But if the accusations in that warrant hold up – and there are multiple witnesses, including someone who has known Baker since he was a child – it’s hard to imagine that he will, even if he escapes jail time. Sports teams are often tolerant of criminal behavior – especially for players with talent — and the Giants have been no exception over the years. It’s certainly possible that, if he’s granted his freedom, they’d welcome him back and sell it as a chance for redemption. But you’d have to think that some of these allegations cross a line they just won’t want to cross, even for a player with Baker’s potential.