Bucs Pay Big Bucks To DT/DE Chris Baker; Where Will He Play?
March 9th, 2017
New Bucs DT/DE Chris Baker
Now this is a signing that will leave Bucs fans scratching their heads for a little while.
Tampa Bay has locked down 29-year-old Redskins DT/DE Chris Baker for $6 million a year, per ESPN.
He was well-respected in Washington over the past five seasons, where he was in a 3-4 defense. He’s got 12 1/2 sacks over the past five years but 10 1/2 in the past two seasons.
The guy has been a lot healthier then Clinton McDonald. Baker has missed just four games in the past five years. But what exactly are the Bucs getting here?
It will be very interesting when Bucs officials take the podium at One Buc Palace tomorrow or Saturday to talk about Baker, who is a firm pile of beef at 6-2, 300 pounds. We all know $6 million a year is starter’s money — and Baker was unlikely to sign here quickly without being promised a starting job.
With Akeem Spence not back in the fold, it sure smells like the Bucs will be drafting a defensive tackle in April.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
ummm, rotational guy, replacing Spence?
March 9th, 2017 at 4:27 pm
I think this is a good deal. Calais got 14M, more than half what we are paying Baker, with more-than-half Calais’ production. Baker can play everywhere on the line.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Chris Baker is listed at 320 lbs so I assume next to GMC is where he will play.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:29 pm
This is the new starter next to Gerald. Awesome signing, very happy right now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50zWNjiFebU&t=90s
March 9th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
He will likely start alongside McCoy at DT. Very good signing IMO, at that price …. Joe, your PFF boys like him, was rated their No. 15 overall free agent
March 9th, 2017 at 4:30 pm
Mcdonald is glass so…..enough said.
Id even dump mcdonald and sign spence now. Best ability is availability and the bucs have had too many injuries along their d line past couple years.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Thanks JoeyP for saving me a trip to look up his weight. I didn’t think he was under 300.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:31 pm
6 million a year is nothing now a days Calais got 14
March 9th, 2017 at 4:33 pm
He will take McDonalds spot at NT obviously.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:35 pm
I bet his production will rise, he has never played beside a beast like gmc.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:36 pm
He’s a 43 DT
March 9th, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Def inside starter. Looking at 6 solid d line guys. GMC, AYERS, GHOLSTON, BAKER, SPENCE, SMITH. If McDonald can stay healthy, he can contribute in the rotation too.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:38 pm
Nice signing. Has a mean streak. Google Chris Baker hit on Nick Foles
March 9th, 2017 at 4:38 pm
I like it a lot. Calais probably priced himself out of our interest. Solid deal for depth we needed bad. This guy sounds like another Robert Ayers – someone who blossomed in their late 20s after a rough start. 4-6 sacks for a 300 lb dude = someone who can disrupt the pocket and hold up in the run
I like McDonald a lot too – but we needed a 3rd body for that rotation outside of Akeem Spence. Spence doesn’t pressure the pocket at all and wasn’t even good against the run really. Now we have 3 DTs that can do that and hold up in the run.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:39 pm
“Firm pile of beef” lol classic
March 9th, 2017 at 4:40 pm
I would also agree that drafting a DT at some point would be a wise idea. As is drafting a Safety
March 9th, 2017 at 4:42 pm
That’s nothing . 6 mil a year. This guy is 6’2 333lbs. Way off joe. Not even close. He is beef in the middle to stop run and can get to qb. Solid pick. Plus every analyst I have seen says he was most consistent dlineman for redskins. One of my best buds is a diehard redskins fan. He confirmed same thing. Most disruptive player. Most consistent player.
———-
Joe- sounds like same comments on Robert Ayers last year and boy were you wrong. Don’t you follow other players on other teams?
March 9th, 2017 at 4:43 pm
I thought Baker was around 330 +/-. That’s quite the load…
March 9th, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Joe your under estimating this guy look up stuff on Chris baker he plays with fire every play he works his butt off and he has a lot of production he’s a perfect fit for us at nose tackle get rid of spence and have him McCoy and McDonald I’m telling you Chris baker is hugee for our dline for 6 mill a year to great signing beat writers for the dead skins said this guy was there best dlinemen the last 2 years…I’m stoked
March 9th, 2017 at 4:44 pm
Less than an hour into FA and we are already a better team than we were last year! Keep it going Jason!
March 9th, 2017 at 4:45 pm
At bucsfaninchina, I like your observation. Although not quite as good of a tackler, he reminds me of Warren Sapp. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope it works out !! Also like the amount of games started over the past two years !!
March 9th, 2017 at 4:46 pm
He will be our Kawann Short.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Akeem is gone..he just Tweeted goodbye..
March 9th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
All i can say is that on the redskins board, they called him their most disruptive defensive lineman.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
Spence is gone. Detroit
March 9th, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Great signing, upgrade of Spence more push and sack power.
March 9th, 2017 at 4:50 pm
Spence signed with lions. 3 years 10.5 mil
March 9th, 2017 at 4:51 pm
Robert woods to the rams. 5 year 39 mil
March 9th, 2017 at 4:53 pm
Patriots considering sending Malcolm Butler to Saint for Cooks. Yikes!!!!
March 9th, 2017 at 4:53 pm
I saw those numbers for Woods last night. Never thought he would get a contract that big honestly lol. Good for him
March 9th, 2017 at 4:56 pm
I hope the Saints trade Cooks for Butler. Patriots are very smart about using match-ups to their advantage. Feel like the Saints will just say “Ok Butler, you are our #1 CB. Have fun shadowing Mike Evans, Julio Jones, and Kelvin Benjamin”
March 9th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
we will be able to stop the run with gholston, mccoy, and Baker
March 9th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
He is our new DT to pair with GMC. Good signing. And 6 million is nothing in today’s market. 2 players signed to 2 reasonable contracts. Great start Licht.
Except for resigning Conte what a joke
March 9th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Baker is very underrated…..great value pick-up
March 9th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Calais Campbell 4 year 60 mil 8 sacks 53 total tackles
Chris Baker 3 year average 6 mil 3.5 sacks 47 total tackles
I like our deal a little better.
March 9th, 2017 at 5:04 pm
I’m excited for this team. Looking good so far.
March 9th, 2017 at 5:05 pm
Licht, u on fire so far! Keep it up!
March 9th, 2017 at 5:07 pm
We just got meaner on the line. He is the perfect beast to put next to Beasting. I am pumped. I would really go into any dark alley with our line. We won’t be getting PUNKED any more. Baker is a absolute animal. I can see him and Marpet Ali getting into a fight in camp. Joe I think some Oline men in the NFC South just said Aww Shhh!
March 9th, 2017 at 5:14 pm
$6-mil is not expensive at all in 2017. I know nothing about the guy but it sounds like a good pickup.
March 9th, 2017 at 5:35 pm
Happy with this as well… interesting taking 2 players that played together for the last few years from Washington. Hope that can only help eventual chemistry.
March 9th, 2017 at 5:37 pm
@WhatdaBUCisthis
February 12th, 2017 at 12:27 pm ←
March 9th, 2017 at 5:38 pm
this is a good signing for a deeeeep rotation all of the sudden. this is a guy that I think went undrafted and has gotten better every season he plays. if Clinton can stay healthy and if we draft a beast DE in the 1st 2 rds, the rest of the NFL is on NOtice cuase we are comg and we are coming with our Big MoutherTruckin Stick!!! GO Bucs!#SiegeTheDay
March 9th, 2017 at 5:39 pm
This is a HUGE upgrade over spence and mcdonald. Spence was a ghost last year, and mcdonald is always hurt. This guy plays with fire. Great addition to the d line. Him and ayers will be “beasting” all day.
March 9th, 2017 at 5:41 pm
Projection
• E -Robert Ayers
• T -Gerald McCoy
• T -Chris Baker
• E -William Gholston
March 9th, 2017 at 5:44 pm
Rotational guy. The more depth on D and O line the merrier.
March 9th, 2017 at 5:48 pm
he will demand some doubles. The biggest thing I see is a HUGE year for LVD and Kwon. DPOY.. Kwon Alexander. What are the Vegas odds?
March 9th, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Joe
One the cheap – We could sign DT Sen’Derrick Marks – as an additional rotate player.
• E -Robert Ayers | Noah Spence | Jacquies Smith
• T -Gerald McCoy | Clinton McDonald
• T -Chris Baker | Sen’Derrick Marks
• E -William Gholston | **Competition/Draft Pick**
March 9th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
My Son sent me this highlight reel of Chris Baker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szLdMSLZGQ4&feature=youtu.be
March 9th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Like everybody has already pointed out, he’s a hell of a lot bigger than 298 lbs. He’s yet another multi-scheme fit. I’m struggling to understand how nobody at Joebucsfan headquarters can see what’s happening here.
They.are.setting.themselves.up.to.run.multiple.fronts……period.
Good signing.
March 9th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
I watch a lot of Redskins. This guy was probably there most consistent player last year. You do not run on him. With him and Gholston, we will not get pinked I’m the running game like against the Cowboys last year. Love this signing. Under the radar, but exactly what Mike Smith needs to bring this D into the top five or ten.
Do not like the Conte resigning.
March 9th, 2017 at 6:19 pm
Healthy and is only 29. Best of all, Licht signed him for only $6.25 million per year with incentives, which is a lot better than the $10m per year suggested by fans here yesterday.
Licht’s free agents may or may not work out, but at least he is getting them cheaper than expected.
March 9th, 2017 at 6:25 pm
He fits in as our starting DT. Dude plays with a mean streak. I love it
March 9th, 2017 at 6:29 pm
*On the cheap
March 9th, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Clinton McDonald still has a year left, right? That would buy us time until next year at DT. Chris Baker is depth both inside and out.
March 9th, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Luv,
Put DE Trey Hendrickson or DE Tanoh Kpassagnon behind Gholston. Still think Tanoh is a 3rd round pick. lol.
March 9th, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Check out this guy’s highlight reel on Bucs.com. With Spence, Ayers, GMC, and Gholston, It’s shaping up real nice. Multiple fronts for sure. I’d like to see us reel in the safety from Dallas as well. We need those attitude changers all over the field. Swag.
March 9th, 2017 at 7:14 pm
Bonzai
Baker is the starting NT next to GMC. NOT depth. Clinton McDonald is now the depth
March 9th, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Who are the o lines going to double team now…this was a solid pick up. Our middle just got CLOGGED !!!
This guy is only going to help develop Ali Marpet and Kevin Pampile…practicing against GMC and Baker is only going to help!
Now our draft board just made a major shift after signing DJack and Baker….
Melefonwu safety UConn the first, Nojuku tight end Miami second, pocic center LSU third Nixon rb fourth, Sharp wr UMass fifth, BPA sixth, Rich Eisen ESPN seventh ( he did run a 6.02 40)
March 9th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
Ayers-Baker-McDonald/McCoy-Gholston on running downs.
Spence-Ayers-McCoy/McDonald-Smith in 4-3 nickel
Spence-McCoy-Baker-Gholston-Smith/Bond in hybrid
The addition of Baker and the resigning of Gholston/J.Smith make the combinations almost limitless. They can now run multi-fronts and once they add depth to the secondary they can disguise coverages better behind them. This should be a top 10 defense next year.
March 9th, 2017 at 8:14 pm
@ Louis
Im thinking what you are right now. I think Melifonwu is a dark horse candidate right now at 19 that nobody is talking about.
I’m thinking Melifonwu in the 1st, Curtis Samuel in the 2nd, and Samaje Perine in the 3rd.
March 9th, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Nice signing! Welcome to Tampa Mr. Baker! I really thought we would get Calais, but man, just too much $$…. Great job Licht!
Now to draft DE Barnett if he’s still there @19 and then go with RB or WR Zay Jones.
March 9th, 2017 at 9:27 pm
I like that gotbucs…..big fan of Obi, I’d also like Evan Engram @19.
March 9th, 2017 at 9:35 pm
Oh yeah, I love the highlights, he reminds me of Sapp.
March 9th, 2017 at 9:42 pm
No head scratching here- loving it! More nastiness and some “swag” to our line. Ayres, Swaggy, McCoy, Spence – QBs on the ground boi!
March 9th, 2017 at 11:31 pm
macabee
Lol, he’s raw as hell – but who knows? …he could be the next Ziggy Ansah.
March 10th, 2017 at 2:46 am
This might have Joe scratching his head, but not me. It’s clearly an upgrade over Spence and even McDonald, who now becomes excellent depth at DT while Baker becomes a very capable starter. The d-line was upgraded in just one move, because the Bucs have a better starter (Baker) AND a better backup (McDonald) than before. This is why Licht is a damn fine GM and Joe is just, well, Joe.
March 10th, 2017 at 4:55 am
,
Joe wrote it was a clear upgrade from Akeem Spence.
March 10th, 2017 at 8:18 am
Joe! don’t jinx the poor guy by posting a floppy hat picture!!!
March 10th, 2017 at 9:04 am
The only thing I’m scratching my head about is why this guy wasn’t seen as a higher value target in the off season. The more I watch and read about him, this is a steal at the salary.