Tag: Budda Baker

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. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Budda Baker will report for mandatory work in minicamp

Baker will not let his business things and his contract impact how he is on the field or with his teammates.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is not happy with the business side of things with the Arizona Cardinals, which is why he requested a trade during the offseason.

He has not reported for voluntary OTAs, because, well, they are voluntary. He has no obligation to be there.

But there will be no holdout during minicamp or training camp.

He will report for mandatory work, he told Cameron Cox of 12 News.

“Oh yeah, of course I’ll be there when it’s time to be there,” he said. “When it’s time to be there I’ll be there smiling, the same regular guy that I am.”

Mandatory minicamp is June 13-15 and then training camp will be at the end of July.

Baker has been putting in a lot of work on his own. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Baker was “wearing them out” when it came to film work. He is training hard, too.

As for his contract status, he isn’t worrying about that personally.

“I’m just letting the business aspect handle the business aspect, letting my agent handle all that type of stuff,” he said.

We will see if anything changes from the business side of 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 Spotify.

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Jonathan Gannon unworried about Budda Baker’s, DeAndre Hopkins’ absence from OTAs

The Cardinals are still in the voluntary part of the offseason. Gannon isn’t worried about Hopkins’ or Baker’s absence from OTAs.

The Arizona Cardinals opened Phase 3 of the offseason program with the first of 10 days of voluntary OTAs (organized team activities).

Two players were notably absent — safety Budda Baker and receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

This is the voluntary part of the offseason, so there is no reason to be worried.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon isn’t.

“I think Budda will show up when he wants to show up,” he said after Monday’s practice. “He’s been awesome. He has been wearing us out a little bit with tape and different things like that. But he’s working. He’ll get himself ready to play.”

He also isn’t concerned about Hopkins.

“I’m not worried about Hop,” he said. “He’s played a long time, he’s extremely intelligent and I think he’ll fit right in when he decides to come. But again it’s voluntary. It’s his decision and we are behind it.”

However, the reasons why they are gone is reason to be concerned.

Baker is unhappy because he wants a contract extension. He also requested a trade.

Hopkins seems to want to be traded and the team tried to before the draft, but the Cardinals couldn’t get their asking price.

What really matters is whether they report for mandatory minicamp June 13-15. That is still a couple of weeks away.

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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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3 potential blockbuster training camp trades for Patriots

Even after the draft, the opportunity to make a blockbuster move is still there for the Patriots.

The New England Patriots may be done adding through free agency, and the draft has come and gone.

But with June 1 approaching, there are some instances where contracts can shift, and that makes it more feasible for a team like the Patriots to acquire and restructure a player’s contract.

Many teams also would consider trading future picks, which at this point are less valuable than making a trade up to or at the draft.

Let’s take a look at some potential Patriots training camp trades that could shake up the roster.

Budda Baker clarifies Instagram story about disrespect

Baker commented that it was about motivation for his workout.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is not happy this offseason. He approached the team for a contract extension and was turned down. He requested a trade and was turned down.

A recent post on his Instagram story was a video of him lifting weights and a caption stating he feels like he isn’t respected.

Many have wondered if this was a subtle jab at the team, which did not honor his wishes this offseason. It was the topic on the PHNX Cardinals podcast and one of their posts on Instagram.

Baker replied to PHNX with a clarification as to what the caption on the story meant. The comment was later deleted.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CsWnU3upX7z/

He said it has to do with the chip on his shoulder he has when he trains.

That’s how I train. Like no one respects me. Imagine being on that last set and you are dog tired and your body is telling you to quit. THEY DON’T RESPECT ME” that rage gets me going!!! My mind is telling me to get this (expletive) up!!

This should, at least to some degree, give fans a sense of relief.

He might not be happy with the organization but this post was not about that (at least not completely).

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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.

 

PODCAST: Budda Baker, Kevin Kolb and a 3-4 defense?

Listen to the .latest edition of the podcast.

Revenge of the Birds’ Seth Cox and I recorded a new podcast episode covering a number of recent offseason topics for the Arizona Cardinals.

We go over Budda Baker’s latest Instagram story suggesting continued unhappiness with the team. We talk about the recent story about former Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb and the concussion no one knew about in 2011 that explains a lot of his play for the first half of the season.

We go over how it appears that the defense will stay a 3-4 base scheme, at least for now, and wonder if the team has finally moved on from punter Andy Lee and long snapper Aaron Brewer.

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) Terry McDonough’s amended complaint and Budda Baker’s cryptic Instagram story

(19:44) Kevin Kolb’s concussion story

(38:58) A 3-4 base defense in 2023?

(52:47) Moving on from Andy Lee, Aaron Brewer

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Budda Baker’s Instagram story says he feels disrespected

He posted a somewhat cryptic story in Instagram that draws attention to his trade request in the offseason.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is not happy. His recent post on his Instagram story makes that clear.

He shared a story with a video of him lifting weights with a caption of a question and answer.

What did he ask and answer?

“Budda how you feeling” is the question.

His answer was, “Feel like they don’t respect me.”

Is the “they” he refers to the Cardinals?

That is open for interpretation, of course.

We do know, though, that he isn’t happy with the team.

Before the NFL draft, Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker requested a trade. He approached the team about a contract extension and they turned him down, as he has two years remaining on his current deal.

The Cardinals told him they will not trade him. They see him as a key piece of their defense and team, and both general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon have been effusive about their praise of Baker, his play and his leadership.

The Cardinals open voluntary OTAs (organized team activities) next week. He is not expected to practice and might not show up, which is not required, as it is voluntary.

However, each time he posts something cryptic about unhappiness or disrespect, it will continue to draw attention to his trade request.

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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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PODCAST: What’s next for DeAndre Hopkins, Isaiah Simmons, Budda Baker?

In the latest podcast episode, Jess Root and Seth Cox discuss the impact of no trade of Hopkins or Baker and no option for Simmons.

In what was a bit of a surprise during the NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals did not trade receiver DeAndre Hopkins. They also did not trade safety Budda Baker, who had requested a trade. That was not a surprise. They also did not exercise the fifth-year option on the rookie contract of linebacker Isaiah Simmons, which was also not a surprise.

Cohost Seth Cox and I discuss all three topics in this edition of the podcast, going over what it all means.

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!

Topics and times on the show:

(1:00) What’s next after not trading DeAndre Hopkins?

(14:37) What’s next after the Cardinals declined the contract option for Isaiah Simmons?

(32:29) What’s next after not trading Budda Baker?

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Commanders mentioned as ‘logical landing spot’ for Cardinals safety Budda Baker

Could any veterans be moved in tonight’s first round?

The Tennessee Titans shocked the NFL world in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft by trading star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Brown would go on to play an integral role in the Eagles winning the NFC.

Could any big-name veterans potentially be on the move Thursday in round one of the 2023 NFL draft?

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports speculates 13 big names that could be on the move. Yes, Washington defensive Chase Young is mentioned. Here’s Benjamin’s thoughts on a potential Young trade:

Young seemed like he was going to be a cornerstone player for the Commanders when he was taken No. 2 overall out of Ohio State and then made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Injuries have dogged him since then, though, and Washington declined to pick up his fifth-year option. Might another team be willing to give up something of value and hope it can tap into his immense upside?

It’s difficult to imagine Washington trading Young. His value is at an all-time low, and anything the Commanders could fetch in return would be less valuable than what Young can potentially give them in 2023.

Benjamin mentioned another possibility involving the Commanders. Cardinals safety Budda Baker recently requested a trade; therefore, Benjamin named him a possible trade candidate, naming the Commanders as a logical landing spot:

Baker requested a trade out of Arizona earlier this offseason, and given the position that roster is in, it might make sense for the team to grant him his way and begin to restock its cupboard of draft picks. A high-impact secondary player who plays much bigger than his size (5-10, 195 pounds), Baker has also shown himself to be highly durable, missing only five games in six seasons. He carries base salaries of $13.1 million and $14.2 million over the next two years, and he should be able to maintain a high level of play even beyond that, as 2024 is only his age-28 season.

Logical landing spots: Eagles, Patriots, Colts, Commanders

Baker is a fantastic player who would make Washington’s defense better, but the Commanders aren’t trading for him.

If Washington makes a trade Thursday, it’s likely to move back later in the first round.

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Budda Baker to Jaguars listed as ‘realistic’ draft day trade by PFF

The Jaguars are a logical landing space for the Cardinals’ five-time Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker, according to PFF.

Defense is expected to be a top priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars during the draft, but Pro Football Focus says that doesn’t have to mean an influx of rookie talent.

According to PFF’s Brad Spielberger, Jacksonville is a realistic landing spot for Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker in a trade during the draft.

On the field, Baker will be a great addition to a Jaguars defense that does have two solid safeties in Rayshawn Jenkins and Andre Cisco but can benefit tremendously by deploying him all over. Baker is a weapon in the slot, down in the box, as a blitzer and back deep in coverage, and he could help defend opposing tight ends, which is an obvious area for improvement after Travis Kelce exploded for 14 receptions and two touchdowns to knock Jacksonville out of the playoffs. Off the field, Baker’s leadership could be massive for a very young defense.

The cost to acquire Baker in the deal created by Spielberger is a third-round pick and a sixth-rounder. Perhaps more importantly, the Jaguars would acquire the last two years of Baker’s contract which would be due to count more than $13 million against the team’s salary cap in each of the next two seasons.

Baker reportedly requested a trade earlier this month due to his inability to secure a new contract from the Cardinals that would make him the highest paid safety in the NFL. An extension from the Jaguars could push his cap hits down the road, but the team may be wary of giving up draft picks and signing on to such a financial burden.

In six seasons with the Cardinals, Baker has made five Pro Bowls and has seven career interceptions, six forced fumbles, 7.5 sacks, and 650 tackles.

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