What's Happened to Baker? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

What's Happened to Baker?

AJ Duhe

AJ Duhe

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I live overseas so I haven't been able to watch full games. Can someone please tell me what is going on with Jerome Baker? He seemed to be relishing his new role in the offseason and he was being counted on as a key performer in this defensive scheme, but I've heard that his play has gone downhill. He bulked up a bit to handle more duties in the run game and as a pass rusher, but I hear he hasn't done either of those things well. Even his coverage ability, once the strongest part of his game, is now off. Is he thinking too much out there? Confused by the new techniques?
 
Honestly he's just really not a fit for this defense. When have you ever seen a long skinny Patriots LB? Never. They get nasty giant thumpers in the middle and athletic big guys to rush the edge.

The staff knows how talented Baker is so they are trying desperately to find him a spot, but sadly I don't think he belongs in a 3-4.

There's always exceptions though so here's to hoping they find a way to make it work.
 
I have thought this guy is overrated on this board since even his rookie season but I do admit I felt he had turned a corner this offseason.

It is hard for anyone to shine out there when you are getting shellacked from all angles.

I do think he has been one of our best defensive players but that doesnt speak much when we have one of the worst teams in league history.
 
Baker is struggling but I'm willing to give him some time. Look at McMillan, he struggled early and now he's one hell of a thumper. Baker has been thrusted into the role of leading the defense as a 2nd year player. Lets give him the next 12 games for a full evaluation.
 
He just has to play better. I dont think he is as bad as the PFF rankings indicate but he is not as good as Kwon.

Biggest issue for him is not being aware in zone defense.
 
DolfanISS said:
Baker is struggling but I'm willing to give him some time. Look at McMillan, he struggled early and now he's one hell of a thumper. Baker has been thrusted into the role of leading the defense as a 2nd year player. Lets give him the next 12 games for a full evaluation.
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Absolutely but he has to show he can shed through traffic to make plays. Otherwise, his size will be a severe detriment.
 
Jimi said:
Honestly he's just really not a fit for this defense. When have you ever seen a long skinny Patriots LB? Never. They get nasty giant thumpers in the middle and athletic big guys to rush the edge.

The staff knows how talented Baker is so they are trying desperately to find him a spot, but sadly I don't think he belongs in a 3-4.

There's always exceptions though so here's to hoping they find a way to make it work.
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Pretty much what some of us predicted during TC. He's getting washed out quite a lot. He doesn't have the bulk and functional strengh to play in this style of defense.
Teams are putting their big nasties on him and at that point it's a wrap. He's not over powering them, he's not shedding them, he's essentially at their mercy.
Cleary, Your star LB can't get handled like that every single time.

Heck, Has he even made a solo tackle this entire season thus far?

As it stands Dolphings need to add at least 2 more LBs to the roster.
Clearly McMillian has a role..but they need to replace the 2 other starters.
 
Andyman said:
Absolutely but he has to show he can shed through traffic to make plays. Otherwise, his size will be a severe detriment.
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That's the thing you don't just start doing that all of a sudden.
That's a combination of size, functional strenght, and technique.

Which of those 3 things can he improve to the point where he's making a difference in the next few games?
 
He was overhyped in the offseason so everyones expectations were too high. I think he will be an avg LB in this league at best, which at this point I would take.
 
Jay131866 said:
He was overhyped in the offseason so everyones expectations were too high. I think he will be an avg LB in this league at best, which at this point I would take.
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I don't think he was overhyped at all. He showed as a rookie game changing ability...in a 4-3. I just think we all underestimated how big of a change the scheme would be for him.

Put him back in the 4-3 and he will look like a stud again, I almost guarantee it. Sadly it just likely won't be on this team (not that im mad we switched systems, just sad it will cost us one of our few talented players).

Systems matter a lot. It's why Vita Vea looked like a bust for the Bucs in a 4-3 and now is a dominant force in their new 3-4 defense.
 
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