Tag: Budda Baker

Eddie Jackson’s contract extension has implications for Cardinals, Budda Baker

Baker, also a two-time Pro Bowler, will be a free agent in 2021 and can sign an extension this offseason.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker will not be a free agent this offseason. He will be in 2021. The two-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL in solo tackles and was fourth in total tackles must be paying attention the contract extension that fellow safety Eddie Jackson got.

Jackson, who plays for the Chicago Bears, just signed a four-year, $58.4 million contract extension with $33 million in guaranteed money, his agency announced.

Jackson has been named to the Pro Bowl each of his last two seasons. He was an All-Pro in 2018. He entered the league the same year Baker did.

He is now the highest-paid safety in NFL history.

Baker has not put up the same kind of numbers as Jackson, who has 10 career interceptions and five career defensive touchdowns. However, this contract will serve as a blueprint.

Baker, coming off his third season, is now eligible to negotiate a contract extension. The Cardinals could try to lock him up this offseason or let things play out one more season.

If Baker has another season like 2019, keeping him around will not be cheap.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 254

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Ep. 253:

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2019 Cardinals awards

Who get the superlatives for the Cardinals this year?

The Arizona Cardinals’ season is over. Some players will get league awards. But it is time to recognize the players who were the best. So let us see who gets the awards for the Cardinals.

MVP: Kyler Murray

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This is an obvious award. Murray was given the reins of the team and he exceeded expectations. He was the team’s leader. He led them to wins. He was their best offensive player and most important player overall.

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Chandler Jones says Budda Baker is doing ‘amazing’ and ‘crazy’ things in 2019

“Honestly, Budda makes everyone look slow on the field,” he said.

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Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chander Jones and safety Budda Baker were both named Pro Bowl starters for the NFC. It is the third time Jones is in the Pro Bowl and second as a member of the Cardinals. It is Baker’s second selection, although it is his first as a safety.

It is a big step in Baker’s career and Jones says he deserves it because of the way he plays. Baker should be getting national recognition.

“Honestly, Budda makes everyone look slow on the field,” he said after practice on Wednesday. “The reason why, it sounds funny, but he outruns everyone. If you watch the film, there are times when he’s running past me, running to the ball and the effort that you see, you can’t coach that. You can’t coach effort.”

Baker has piled up stats this season. He has 125 total tackles and leads the NFL with 92 solo tackles. He has six pass breakups, a QB hit, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

“Some of the things he does are amazing,” Jones said. “(I’m) happy he’s getting national recognition for it because what he’s doing is crazy.”

Hopefully, this is the first of many years he is doing crazy, amazing things.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 252:

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Ep. 251:

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The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

 

The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

Every year, a group of undeserving players are named to the Pro Bowl. Here’s this year’s list, and the players who should replace them.

If you think the Pro Bowl is a meaningless exercise, don’t tell the fans, players, and teams when somebody on their side is snubbed in the process. Every year, there are deserving players who aren’t voted to the Pro Bowl roster, and every year, there are players who get on more through previous reputation than current performance.

Here are the most egregious omissions in the 2019 voting, with thought on which players these unfortunate snubs should replace. Because if you’re going to complain about a player who’s wrongly off the Pro Bowl roster, you should be able to find a guy who’s taking up space. That’s where things get a bit more difficult!

Quarterback (NFC)

In: Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins
Out: Aaron Rodgers

(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Either Prescott or Cousins would be a better fit on the NFC roster than Aaron Rodgers, who had just three games with more than 300 passing yards this season, three games with less than 200 yards passing, and eight games with one or zero touchdowns. Cousins has been on fire after a rough start to the season, and Prescott ranks first in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics. Not that Rodgers has had a bad season, but this seems much more like a reputation pick than anything else.

Receiver (AFC)

In: Julian Edelman
Out: Jarvis Landry

(Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Landry has been one of Cleveland’s few bright spots on offense this season, but it’s kind of ridiculous to have him in over Edelman, who was part of a total snub of New England offensive players that hasn’t happened since 2003. Yes, Landry has 74 catches on 1,018 yards and five touchdowns, but Edelman has 92 catches for 1,019 yards and six touchdowns in an offense so broken, opposing defenses can bracket him on just about every play. Edelman has faced more double teams than at any other point in his career, and he’s having arguably his most productive season.

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Chandler Jones, Budda Baker make Pro Bowl; Kyler Murray, 2 other Cardinals are alternates

Kyler Murray, Zane Gonzalez and Dennis Gardeck are alternates.

The Arizona Cardinals, despite a 4-9-1 record, have a pair of Pro Bowlers. The league announced who was selected to the 2020 Pro Bowl. Outside linebacker Chandler Jones and safety Budda Baker were selected as starters.

Jones makes the Pro Bowl for the third time in his career, the second time as a member of the Cardinals.

Baker makes it for the second time. The first time was his rookie season when he made the squad as a special teamer.

The Cardinals also had three players named as alternates.

Quarterback Kyler Murray, kicker Zane Gonzalez and special teamer Dennis Gardeck could be replacements if starters are hurt or are in the Super Bowl.

Linebacker Jordan Hicks, despite a productive season, is snubbed.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 251:

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Ep. 250:

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Despite awful defense, 3 Cardinals defenders deserve Pro Bowl consideration

The defense might be terrible, but the Cardinals have three baller defensive players.

The Arizona Cardinals have one of the league’s worst defenses in 2019. The specifics of the statistical struggles are detailed in this post from Thursday. However, the Cardinals do have standout players on defense, which makes their struggles even more confusing.

As Pro Bowl voting has begun for fans, three Cardinals players warrant consideration.

OLB Chandler Jones

(AP Photo/John Hefti)

This should be no surprise. Jones leads the NFL with 12.5 sacks and also five forced fumbles. His 13 tackles for loss are tied for sixth in the league. He is one of the elite edge defenders in the league.

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