Tag: Budda Baker

Cardinals S Budda Baker makes NFL top 100 players again

Baker makes the top 100 list as voted on by NFL players for the fourth consecutive year.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is one of the nest players in the NFL and one of the best safeties. While some top player and top safety lists have excluded him, NFL players definitely don’t overlook him.

For the fourth consecutive year, Baker makes it onto the NFL Top 100 Players, put together by NFL Network, as voted on by players.

This year, he comes in at No. 73.

A powerful force to be reckoned with, Baker continues to prove why he is the one most exciting defensive backs in the NFL. With 111 total tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defensed and a forced fumble, the two-time All-Pro earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection despite an injury-plagued season. What the 5-foot-10, 195-pound lacks in size, Baker continues to provide the biggest heart in Arizona.

He debuted in the Top 100 in 2020 at No. 97. He ranked No. 19 in 2021, then 67 last year and 73 this year.

Last season, he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight season and fifth time in his career.

He logged 111 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble.

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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 Spotify.

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Budda Baker returns with smile, punch for training camp practices

Baker practiced with the team on Wednesday and was fired up to be with his teammates.

One of the questions entering training camp for the Arizona Cardinals was whether or not safety Budda Baker, who requested a trade in the offseason and seeks a new contract, would take part in on-field practices.

That question has been answered.

Not only did he show up for camp, as was expected, he was on the field for the first practice of camp, said head coach Jonathan Gannon on Wednesday.

Gannon said conversations with Baker have been “fantastic” and that the five-time Pro Bowl safety is “excited, big smile on his face.”

Baker made his presence known right away, linebacker Zaven Collins explained.

“I was standing there and someone punched me in the stomach,” Collins told reporters Wednesday. “I was like, ‘who the hell is this’ and there’s Budda.”

While Baker is not satisfied with his contract situation, it would appear he will not let it affect the way he plays or practices now that camp is here.

That is good news.

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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 Spotify.

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Five NFL players who deserve big paydays

The pending free agent class of 2024 has many more proven players that will be looking for big contracts, many of whom have more than earned a nice payday. 

Within the next year, several big-name players are scheduled to become free agents. Kirk Cousins is the name most have circled, as he will be a free agent for the second time in his career, and first since 2018 when he originally signed with the Minnesota Vikings. 

The pending free agent class of 2024, though, has many more proven players that will be looking for big contracts, many of whom have more than earned a nice pay day. 

Five NFL stars who could (and should) be traded in the 2023 season

With several veteran players approaching the end of their respective deals and/or playing for teams who won’t be contending for anything more than draft position, these five players could see themselves get dealt before the season’s end. 

Over the last few seasons, we’ve seen in-season trades become more of the norm. Christian McCaffrey was the silver tuna at last year’s trade deadline and turned the San Francisco 49ers into an even more dyanmic offense than they were before. Kadarius Toney was dealt to the Chiefs from the Giants and went on to help Kansas City win a Super Bowl. 

With several veteran players approaching the end of their respective deals and/or playing for teams who won’t be contending for anything more than draft position, these five players could see themselves get dealt before the season’s end. 

As expected, Budda Baker to report to training camp on time

As he has stated previously, despite the trade request and desire for a contract extension, Baker will report on Tuesday to training camp.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is holding true to his word. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Baker will report on time to training camp on Tuesday, July 25, with the rest of his teammates.

This should not be a surprise.

Despite requesting a trade this offseason and seeking a contract extension, which is still something he wants, he will be at camp.

But he said as much earlier in the offseason.

He reported to mandatory training camp, although he did not practice.

Baker has two years remaining on his contract but has no guarantees remaining.

He will make nearly $13.1 million in salary in 2023 and is scheduled for $14.2 million next year.

Last season, he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight season and fifth time overall. He had 11 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups in 2022.

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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 Spotify.

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Budda Baker, Kyler Murray snubbed from list of 50 most dominant players

No Arizona Cardinals made the NFL Wire sites’ list of the 50 most dominant players in the NFL.

Here on the NFL Wire sites, the managing editors voted on the most dominant players in the NFL. The results were released (50-26) and (25-1).

No Arizona Cardinals player made the list, which perhaps is not a surprise.

However, two players deserve consideration. One is safety Budda Baker and the other is quarterback Kyler Murray.

Murray’s absence is understandable as he is coming off a down year and a torn ACL. However, as we say for much of 2021 and part of 2020, he is as good as the best quarterbacks in the NFL and can change games. He basically singlehandedly gave the Cardinals a win against the Raiders last season.

When he is healthy, he is a dominant player, even if his numbers aren’t always eye-popping.

Baker’s omittance is a mystery. He is always around the ball, makes plays on the ball, is a volume tackler despite being the smallest player on the defense and is the one player opposing offenses must account for.

But based on analytics, it isn’t a surprise he isn’t there.

After he wasn’t chosen as one of 20 top safeties in the NFL by Touchdown Wire, we can’t expect the rest of the NFL Wire editors to stand up for him, especially when the Cardinals were so bad last season and are not expected to be great this year — essentially prompting the question as to how dominant is he really if his team is bad.

Perhaps with a solid 2023, both can make the cut in next offseason’s list.

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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 Spotify.

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Budda Baker is Cardinals’ only 90-rated player in ‘Madden 24’

Baker is the seventh-highest rated safety in the game and the only Cardinals player to have a rating in the 90s.

EA Sports released player ratings for the upcoming “Madden NFL 24” video game on Monday. As the Arizona Cardinals are not expected to be very good in 2023, it is reasonable to not expect super high ratings on their players.

Only one, safety Budda Baker, had a rating in the 90s. His rating was…exactly 90.

This wasn’t received well by many, although that rating put him seventh among all safeties. The highest-rated safety is Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers at 95.

The others?

The Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick is a 93, the Broncos’ Justin Simmons and the Titans’ Kevin Byard are both 92, while the Falcons’ Jessie Bates and the Saints’ Tyrann Mathieu are both a 91.

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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 Spotify.

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Finally! Budda Baker gets respect in top safeties list

ESPN’s safety rankings are based on league personnel. No one thinks Baker is less than a top-10 safety and some believe he is the best.

Arizona Cardinals fans know how great safety Budda Baker is. Players and coaches do, too. However, he regularly does not get the respect he ought to in offseason lists and rankings.

One publication not only omitted him from the top 11, he didn’t even get honorable mention with another nine.

But that has changed in a new set of rankings by ESPN. Based on the opinion of NFL executives, coaches and scouts, Baker is not only a top-10 safety in the league. He comes in at No. 4.

On all ballots, he was ranked no lower than 10th. He was voted No. 1 on at least one ballot. He is in the top five for the third consecutive year.

“That guy won’t be going anywhere,” one NFL executive — whose team would love to have a player such as Baker — said. “That’s the last guy you trade. A true difference-maker.”

He can play safety, outside linebacker, slot corner or edge defender — at 5-foot-10. And he has improved his pass coverage, with a 19.4% ball hawk rate last year.

“You can do so many things with him, and oh yeah, he’s going to hit with the best of him,” an NFC scout said. “He’s a missile.”

His Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro nods show he one of the best. His impact apparently doesn’t measure well in analytic metrics.

He is versatile, tough, plays with breakneck play speed, makes plays on the ball and is a fierce hitter.

He is the type of person and player every team wants.

He has requested a trade as part of contract negotiations. We will see what happens moving forward as training camp approaches. He has two years remaining on his current contract and has no guarantees remaining on his deal.

But finally Baker gets the love that is warranted. Yes, he plays on a team that is expected to be terrible. That doesn’t minimize him as a player.

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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 Spotify.

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Budda Baker will be at training camp, seeks fair extension

Baker’s agent says his client has never asked to be the highest-paid safety but wants to be “paid fairly for what he brings to the table.”

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker requested a trade early in the offseason. He did not attend any of the voluntary part of the offseason program but did report for mandatory training camp, although he did not participate in on-field practices.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, appearing on “Good Morning Football,” Baker will attend training camp but the situation is far from resolved.

Baker’s agent, David Mulugheta, explained the situation via text to Garafolo.

“He doesn’t want to be the highest-paid safety,” Garafolo read from his texts. “He never said that.”

Baker is ninth in pay for safeties. The Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James is the highest-paid safety in the league.

“He just wants to be paid fairly for what he brings to the table.”

Baker apparently told the team he wanted to be traded to a contender and that he didn’t want to be part of a rebuild.

“It’s time the Cardinals extend Budda if they believe he is a long-term part of their future plans,” Mulugheta said via text.

Baker has two seasons remaining on his contract but has no guaranteed money left.

Baker would like to either win or have security with Arizona, who is at least a season away from real contention.

The team has said there is excellent communication with Baker. Perhaps something can get done before camp starts at the end of July.

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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 Spotify.

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Budda Baker named one of NFL’s top 50 draft steals of last decade

ESPN ranked the 50 best draft steals of the last decade. Baker comes in at No. 45.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker has been one of the team’s best draft picks in the last many years. They moved up in the second round to select him in 2017.

He was named of the top 50 draft steals of the last decade by ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid.

He comes in at No. 45.

Baker wasn’t selected earlier in the 2017 draft because teams were concerned he lacked the size (5-10, 195 pounds) to be a front-line starter or play every down as a safety. Yet he has helped usher in the nickelback era in the NFL with his versatility and expert playmaking skills. Baker is a three-time All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler. — Miller

Baker is undoubtedly one of the Cardinals’ best draft picks ever. Getting him in the second round, even having to trade up to get him, has been a steal.

He is the heart and soul of the Cardinals’ defense. He is a fan favorite and has the respect of his peers and coaches.

Arizona’s previous general manager Steve Keim had a lot of misses in the last decade in the draft. Baker is not one of them.

It’s good to see at least one current Cardinal on this list.

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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 Spotify.

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