Budda Baker – Page 7 – Syndication Server

PODCAST: Budda Baker snubbed and more offseason rankings, takeaways

Jess Root and Seth Cox have another offseason podcast episode about the Arizona Cardinals and more.

The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up the offseason program and the offseason of ranks and lists have begun.

In this edition of the podcast, Revenge of the Birds’ Seth Cox and I go over a pair of snubs for safety Budda Baker, one on a top safeties list and the other a top 100 players list.

We go over where the Cardinals are ranked in PFF’s offseason numbers at receiver and the offensive line, and then give our biggest takeaways from the offseason program.

Enjoy the show!

Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!

(1:00) Budda Baker snubbed twice!

(17:42) PFF’s O-line rankings and where the Cardinals land

(25:58) PFF’s WR rankings and where the Cardinals land

(33:47) Offseason program takeaways

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Budda Baker snubbed from top safeties list

So, Cardinals safety Budda Baker isn’t even a top-20 safety in the NFL?

Arizona Cardinals fans know that safety Budda Baker is one of the best players at his position, NFL coaches and players know this.

His accolades (four consecutive Pro Bowls and an All-Pro nod as a safety) show he is.

However, in Doug Farrar’s recent rankings of the top 11 safeties in the NFL for Touchdown Wire, Baker doesn’t make the cut.

He doesn’t make the top 11 and he doesn’t even get named among the nine other players given honorable mention.

Baker rarely shows up among top safeties with anything analytical, despite his ability to do really anything. He covers space. He hits and tackles. He can cover in the slot. He can make plays on the ball.

When he was made the highest paid safety in 2020, no one batted an eye.

When he gets a contract extension, it isn’t likely that anyone protests.

Opponents make sure to account for Baker on even play.

We can probably agree he probably wouldn’t be the top of the list with players like Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick, but not including him in even the top 20 is just downright disrespectful.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals shut out of CBS Sports’ top 100 list

No Cardinals player is mentioned in Pete Prisco’s top 100 list. Budda Baker and Kyler Murray only get honorable mention.

Every offseason brings lists and rankings. This offseason, the Arizona Cardinals are either not included or ranked at or near the bottom in most lists.

The trend continues with the top 100 NFL players, as ranked by CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco.

Not a single Arizona Cardinals player is ranked in the top 100.

Two, though, get honorable mention — safety Budda Baker and quarterback Kyler Murray.

Murray getting honorable mention makes sense because of his injury and the uncertainty of his return and play when he is healthy again.

Baker not making the top 100 feels like a snub. He is one of the best safeties in the league and one of the most respected defensive players in the NFL.

Only seven safeties in the league make the top 100, but are there seven better safeties in the league than Baker?

That is questionable.

But with the expectations for the Cardinals are low in 2023, it is going to be tough to find any love for any Cardinals this offseason.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Budda Baker doesn’t practice at mandatory minicamp

Baker, who wants a contract extension, is apparently “holding in” at mandatory minicamp.

The Arizona Cardinals took the field on Tuesday for the first of two full practices during mandatory minicamp. While safety Budda Baker, who had been away during the voluntary part of the offseason program, reported on Monday, per multiple reporters present at the open part of practice, Baker was not on the field practicing.

Baker, who requested a trade this offseason when his request for contract extension was denied.

He said he would be in attendance for the mandatory part of the offseason, but it appears that he is “holding in,” Rather than a holdout, not showing up, he is there for meetings but is not practicing.

The lines of communication have remained open between Baker’s representation and general manager Monti Ossenfort.

By showing up, Baker avoids fines but still has not gotten offseason reps with the team in its new defense.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Budda Baker reports for mandatory minicamp, as expected

Baker, despite requesting a trade this offseason, is in the building for mandatory minicamp as he said he would be.

The Arizona Cardinals began their final week of the offseason program on Monday with the first day of mandatory minicamp. As expected, safety Budda Baker has reported.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Baker, who requested a trade this offseason after his request for a contract extension was denied, is in the building and is present for the one week of mandatory work for all players.

This should come as no surprise, as Baker told 12 News’ Cameron Cox he would be there when it was time to be there.

The one question remaining is whether or not he will be on the field practicing when the Cardinals hold their two practices of minicamp on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Eagles named the best trade fit for Cardinals’ safety Budda Baker

The Philadelphia Eagles were named the best trade fit for Cardinals safety Budda Baker by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell

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Even after signing Terrell Edmunds and drafting Sydney Brown, some NFL analysts believe the Eagles still need to address the safety position.

Bill Barnwell named Budda Baker, a perfect target for Philadelphia in his latest free agent and potential trade, fits for ESPN.

Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals
Best team fit in a trade: Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles signed safety Terrell Edmunds in free agency and drafted rookie Sydney Brown in Round 3, but would general manager Howie Roseman take a swing to land a veteran? Baker, who requested a trade in April, is one of the league’s most urgent safeties. He has incredible play speed and would fit as a top-down defender in split-field coverages under new coordinator Sean Desai.

Baker had at least 98 tackles over the past five seasons, and he creates plays on the ball in coverage, too.

Baker, 27, is under contract for the 2023 season at $16.9 million, and he’s currently the seventh-highest-paid safety in the league.

Baker also has a club option for 2024 worth $18 million.

Adam Schefter reports that Baker’s trade request was made in February, and the versatile safety wants to be the highest-paid player at the position.

Baker is a true difference maker, and in his six seasons with Arizona, he has earned five Pro Bowl selections, two first-team All-Pro selections, and one second-team All-Pro selection.

The former Washington Huskies star logged 11 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 15 games for Arizona.

He’d more than make up for the enormous big-play potential that C.J. Gardner-Johnson took with him to Detroit.

POLL: Who is the Cardinals’ 3rd-best player?

Pro Football Focus lists WR Marquise Brown as Arizona’s third-best player. Who do you think it is?

As one of its offseason features, Pro Football Focus wrote about who are the top three players on every NFL team.

For the Arizona Cardinals, they named quarterback Kyler Murray, safety Budda Baker and receiver Marquise Brown, as this came out after the release of receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

There is no question as to the top two. Baker and a healthy Murray are the team’s two best players.

Is Brown the team’s No. 3?

Below are some options in a poll.

Who do you think is the Cardinals’ third-best player on the team after Murray and Baker?

Is it Brown or is it someone else?

Vote in the poll and comment!

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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PODCAST: What’s next after releasing DeAndre Hopkins, and are the Cardinals actually ‘tanking’?

We have a new podcast episode focused on the aftermath of DeAndre Hopkins’ release.

The Arizona Cardinals released receiver DeAndre Hopkins last week. What next?

After a week off of the podcast, Seth Cox and I discuss everything related to Hopkins’ release — why did it happen, where will he land and where are the Cardinals at now at receiver?

We also discuss safety Budda Baker and what it means when he says he will be there when it’s time to be there. We assume it means he will be in minicamp in a couple of weeks.

Finally, we broach the topic of tanking. Is that really what the Cardinals are doing? We make the case that it isn’t exactly what they are doing and why.

Enjoy the show!

Topics and times:

(1:00) Why Hopkins was released

(17:34) Where Hopkins might end up

(29:37) Where the Cardinals are at with the receiving corps

(36:48) The latest with Budda Baker

(43:29) Should we call the Cardinals’ 2023 plan ‘tanking’?

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The Cardinals’ 10 biggest cap hits in 2023 following DeAndre Hopkins’ release

An updated look at the Cardinals’ top cap hits in 2023 now that DeAndre Hopkins has been released.

The Arizona Cardinals prepare for the 2023 season with their second week of OTAs. They made a move to clear the roster of receiver DeAndre Hopkins, saving more than $8 million in cap space. It also removed one of the Cardinals’ top cap hits in 2023.

With Hopkins off the books, let’s see what contracts remain as the top cap hits in 2023.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Budda Baker wants to ‘run into O-linemen’ at full speed in 2023

Baker has been working with a personal strength coach to get stronger, avoid missing games and be able to take on the biggest players on the field.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is known as one of the fiercest hitters and one of the most fearless players in the NFL. He is also one of the smaller players on the field at any time.

He suffered a pair of injuries last season, spraining an ankle and then fracturing his shoulder. He missed two games and is not happy about it.

“I hate missing games,” he told Cam Cox of 12 News. “Being angry and being mad about not getting to play. That pissed me off. I want to never have a situation like that happen again.”

This offseason, he has been working with a personal strength coach, Justin King at Built Better AZ.

Baker had a big ask for King.

“First thing I told Justin is I want to run into O-lineman next year. Full speed. I’m heavier, but I’m also lighter on my feet. I’m faster, I’m quicker.”

Baker has been working on his own, opting to not participate in voluntary OTAs. This is in part because he seeks a contract extension and requested a trade because he was told the Cardinals would not extend his contract.

He has shared some impressive photos and videos of his gains and workouts.

A quicker, stronger Baker will be fun to watch in 2023.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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