Quick Yank For Chris Baker
August 18th, 2017
Early exit in Jacksonville
Yes, there is a battle brewing at defensive tackle.
Newcomer big money free agent Chris Baker hasn’t impressed Joe with his on-field performance — practice or games — and after just three snaps with the starters against Jacksonville last night, Baker was pulled.
In came Clinton McDonald, who has had a strong summer after adding about 10 pounds of good weight, an offseason challenge from Mike Smith.
McDonald, 30, is healthy and in a contract year. The former starter looks like what the Bucs desired when he was signed in 2014, after he earned a Super Bowl ring as a cog in Seattle’s defense.
Joe is taking McConald’s quick entry yesterday as a sign the Bucs are not seeing Baker like they did in March.
Oh, and McDonald blew up a run play in the backfield early last night and was credited for a tackle for loss.
If the Bucs make the move to start McDonald, then Joe hopes Baker, 29, can play the role of good teammate.
Yes, Joe gets that the Bucs want to rotate defensive linemen more than they did last year, but a starter is a starter. It means something. Every team wants to roll early with their best players and get a lead.
Joe has been hard on Baker ever since he passed on most of the voluntary spring practices. And Baker really hasn’t provided a reason to shed the scrutiny. Perhaps the growing competition with McDonald will light a fire under him.
August 18th, 2017 at 6:55 am
Baker is clwoning around a bit too much.
August 18th, 2017 at 6:55 am
Hard on Baker indeed.
August 18th, 2017 at 6:58 am
And everybody keeps calling me crazy because I’ve mentioned his lack of effort since April. And although it’s off-season he hasn’t shown anything since April to say he is going to put in the work to be a difference maker
August 18th, 2017 at 7:03 am
I loved what i saw out of #98 … mr Maclid …. last night
August 18th, 2017 at 7:08 am
Funny, i pointed out how horrible he looked in game 1. Realizing it was just game 1 of preseason, benefit of the doubt was given and i was hoping to see something in game 2. So…while looking for him i noticed i could not find him. Which prompted me to notice how well McDonald was playing. I have a feeling a message has been sent!
August 18th, 2017 at 7:10 am
I never agreed with the Baker signing, and I said as much back when the Bucs signed him.
That said, once it was done I did my best to buy in. The problem is, he has done nothing to convince me since arriving.
Warren Sapp use to ‘bully’ players from time to time…I can live with it so long as you back it up on the field. Baker has been invisible out there. With his mouth, he should be dominating.
Wouldn’t it be something if he did not make the final cuts…
August 18th, 2017 at 7:11 am
I agree Baker is clowning around too much! Instead of trying to be in someone’s interview acting a fool he should be watching the field! I’m sure Coach K isn’t going to tolerate much more from him!
August 18th, 2017 at 7:11 am
Held in moderation because of apostrophes…?
August 18th, 2017 at 7:30 am
Everyone else that’s name is worth remembering has put something out there to analyze; I haven’t even heard his name mentioned besides pregame. I just hope this isn’t part of a larger trend with him, can’t expect Team Glazer to be thrilled about chalking up money for players we are looking to contribute but are not doing anything worth while
August 18th, 2017 at 7:30 am
Fatty Baker is another FA bust. Thanks a pantload Lovie Smith!
August 18th, 2017 at 7:31 am
CB90 has officially been put on notice: Watch for this issue to make the rounds on NFL Network, ESPN, PFT, etc., during the first month of the season.
CM98 has shown that when healthy, he can be productive, and he’s arguably in the prime of his career. And…he’s just playing better than the new guy right now.
August 18th, 2017 at 7:31 am
“Fatty” Baker looks like he just came here to “collect the check” as warren sapp said so once so eloquently after he went to the raiders to get paid for one last time
……….but unfortunately, we haven’t seen ANYTHING outta of “Fatty”.
August 18th, 2017 at 7:38 am
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
August 18th, 2017 at 7:11 am
Held in moderation because of apostrophes…?
————————————————————————————–
my comments were too!!!!!!!
August 18th, 2017 at 7:39 am
He has to prove he is not another Anthony Collins as far as I am concerned.
August 18th, 2017 at 7:56 am
Joe was he finished after the 3 plays for the night or did he find himself back in later.
August 18th, 2017 at 8:06 am
He was really pissing me off standing behind Jameis. We want to hear what Jameis says fool, not see your antics.
August 18th, 2017 at 8:10 am
He is a clown and looks so heavy and slow – 4th in the rotation – he’s gain d 30lbs since last season it looks like – GET IN SHAPE!
August 18th, 2017 at 8:11 am
I’d cut baker
He is over weight and out of shape and he doesn’t take his job personal.
Does Jason ever interview people or scout there minds or hearts?
August 18th, 2017 at 8:19 am
This guy hasn’t shown anything whatsoever. Disappointment so far.
August 18th, 2017 at 8:29 am
Ive had this feeling about him… moreso then any of the other FA acquisitions.
I like others on this site wanted Calais Campbell, who showed how much of a force he is in the 1 drive they played him last night.
Swaggy Baker just looks like a guy who is more interested in the limelight then anything else.
But we can leave all this kinda talk elsewhere if in 2 weeks and going forward he contributes to the level he is capable. Hopefully
August 18th, 2017 at 8:32 am
Fatty Baker signing was a massive waste of resources while Campbell was available. The judgement on this signing mirrors the judgment from 2014/2015. Who let Lovie in the building to make the bad decisions? Licht would never make a bad personel move. Maybe it was the Glazers or the alt left that signed this guy. Not Licht’s fault!
August 18th, 2017 at 9:05 am
Mistake Joe. I DVR’d the game and Baker was not pulled. He played multiple series last night. He needs a better getoff for certain.
August 18th, 2017 at 9:09 am
Baker=Fat Albert Haynesworth
August 18th, 2017 at 9:09 am
If I were GM i’d cut this meat bag (mostly fat) before his attitude infects others. The only reason i would keep him around would be to provide the fans with a real punching bag instead of misplaced dislike of GMC and Conte.
August 18th, 2017 at 9:19 am
Did anyone notice Baker getting in the background of any sideline team interviews during the game. He totally photobombed GMS’s interview.
The man is playing up for the cameras.
I wouldn’t mind it if he played well. He hasn’t so far. It comes off like he’s too busy goofing off to get work done.
August 18th, 2017 at 9:21 am
We all know Licht’s weakness is free agency, but he usually manages to find 1-2 successes each year. Baker gets an F grade so far.
August 18th, 2017 at 9:27 am
Good article…good points. I hope Baker isn’t the Albert Haynesworth type.
August 18th, 2017 at 9:47 am
The All “Burpee” Team
1. Chris Baker
2. Caleb Benenoch
3. Stevie Tu’ikolovatu
4. DaVonte Lambert
5. Donovan Smith
6. Channing Ward
7. William Gholston ← That New Contract Money
Need to bust down, and hit some Push-Up, Dips, Pull-Ups or something.
August 18th, 2017 at 9:48 am
He was heckling the kickers on arguably their worst practice…..would love to see the tables turned and have had Folk needle him about getting blown off the ball by the O-Linemen on nearly every snap.
All good if you have elite talent, he doesn’t and looks like an idiot. This is when you want GMC to man up on him and call his nonsense out.
August 18th, 2017 at 9:51 am
I’m all good with clowning around and having some fun. The leaders on the defense should call Baker out if he’s slaking out there, waiting for the season to start may be to late.
August 18th, 2017 at 10:02 am
From the antics people are describing….I can see why Washington let him walk. Generally, you’ll always over pay for free agent talent….but you hate to overpay for a distraction. I have faith that the leaders of that locker room will dial him in. I’m guessing management feels the same.
August 18th, 2017 at 10:23 am
In the first series, he did get pulled but it was right after he clogged up the middle and help tackle the running back. So if he did get pulled, it wasnt for performance. I am no fan of his at this point but I am retaining hope that he was not another free agent bust.
August 18th, 2017 at 10:24 am
McDonald has been playing well but look at his injury history hardly a reliable dt is a charter member in the bucs fragile three along with gmc and akeem spence. dline is going to be a problem.
August 18th, 2017 at 10:46 am
Yea, Baker was supposed to give the Bucs a nice rotation of DTs. Hopefully this is just that whole “practice” thing. He better start showing up. Tmax’s point about injuries will most certainly rear its ugly head at some point or another.
August 18th, 2017 at 11:51 am
yeah, he was clowning around a little too much…I know its preseason but come on man get serious….GO BUCS!!!
August 18th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
He was an absolute jackass clowning behind the sideline interview of Jameis — for a guy that to do that, he better be able to bring it on the field.
ZERO RESPECT FOR THAT MAN SO FAR!
August 18th, 2017 at 1:31 pm
Wide Load – coming through – make way….
You guys are aware that Calais Cambell makes 3 times more $ than Baker – yes?
Licht wasn’t going to tie up $30M+ per year long term for 2 DTs by any stretch of the imagination.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:23 pm
It’s official…
Tmaxcon can’t have children…
August 18th, 2017 at 2:41 pm
I said yesterday that Baker had an 84 rating in Madden 18, well last night after a roster update he’s up to an 89 rating for some reason. WOW, the Madden people LOVE Chris Baker. With him and McCoy on the interior playing on the All-Madden level in franchise mode I easily dispatched the weak Miami Dolphins, 29-12. I only played offense, simmed defense and special teams and Folk missed his first extra point. SOB!!! Also Winston (well me) threw a bubble screen to Humphries that was returned for a TD!?!? On the bubble screen one of the blocking WRs ran to the side of Humphries as I released the ball and brought the corner with him – clearly a bug. For those that care Madden 18 using their new graphics engine is pretty buggy – not super buggy, but I’ve noticed a lot of bugs.
August 18th, 2017 at 2:45 pm
Dontari Poe
Dontari Poe
Dontari Poe!!!!!!!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!
August 18th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
@teacherman…I agree…I was screaming for him and was shocked we didn’t sign him….people threw all kinds of stats suggesting licht made the right move and baker was better but the one thing you cant measure is intangibles….heart, professionalism, passion, work ethic….
with that said, it preseason, so who knows…maybe he’ll “turn it on” week1…GO BUCS!!!!
August 18th, 2017 at 4:36 pm
They brought him in knowing he doesn’t like to practice. People who are saying he should be cut are fools. He will only be in on 1st and 2nd down or any obvious running plays and will rotate with 98. They want fresh legs for the playoff run. Losing “fatty” as you scum are refferring to him as would Ben a terrible idea. Then 93 gets the same double treatment without breaks. Cast you right judgment when the games actually count. He won’t be GMC it he will help him make more impacts.
August 18th, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Couldn’t agree more Joe.
August 18th, 2017 at 6:11 pm
Licht’s luck with free agency is very poor. Baker should have lots of incentives and no guaranteed money in his contract. He is a lazy embarrassment!!!
August 19th, 2017 at 10:18 am
Baker was a bad pick up.