Chris Baker Talks Double-Digit Sacks
June 24th, 2017
A rare OTA sighting of Chris Baker
The Bucs finding a 10-sacks guy is about as difficult as Joe scoring a cheerleader’s phone number.
Tampa Bay once was on the cusp possessing that modern-era sackmaster, Michael Bennett, but the Bucs kicked him out of town for no good reason in his prime. Bennett went on to four impact seasons in Seattle, where he earned a Super Bowl ring, two Pro Bowl invitations and missed just five games in four years.
Joe, well, Joe was never on the cusp of possessing a cheerleader’s phone number, although Joe does have cheerleader fans.
But about that 10-sack guy, Robert Ayers thinks Noah Spence should be a 15-sacks man this season. Many Bucs fans think Ayers himself should get to double digits. Newcomer defensive tackle Chris Baker, who scored 3 1/2 sacks last year in and six in 2016, has his eye on 10 sacks.
Baker was in his Connecticut hometown last week helping kids. He told media in attendance that he wants to be among the NFL greats this season, and the 29-year-old thinks his teammates could get him there.
“Go out there and get more than 10 sacks,” Baker said of his personal goal. “You know, I’ve never been able to play with this much talent before on defense, so [there’s] a lot of key pieces on our team, and hopefully I can just come here and get this team to the next level.”
You can watch Baker’s full interview below.
Baker was signed to add juice to the pass rush and upgrade a run defense that fell off last year, and because Clinton McDonald has been eggshell fragile for two consecutive seasons.
Ten sacks for Baker? Joe would be happy with five accompanied by consistent disruption.
June 24th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
They have excellent depth at DL and DT. In fact the only two areas of concern to me are depth at OT and LB. Pretty solid roster.
June 24th, 2017 at 2:56 pm
he is dreaming
June 24th, 2017 at 3:23 pm
“I’m tired of low expectations!” – Americas Quarterback
June 24th, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Keeping constant pressure on the QB would be nice!!
June 24th, 2017 at 4:27 pm
I’ll believe it when I see it.
June 24th, 2017 at 4:54 pm
He was the guy that got doubled in Washington. Not anymore. Anything possible. 10 sacks for def tackle is not easy period However , someone will get 10. Pick your poison if line is healthy of course.
For all these comments that he has no chance , just FYI , he was the most consistent player on redskins defense last year in front 7. Got 2 buddies who are huge redskins fans and believe their opinion.
June 24th, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Most of the teams we play this year have pretty decent OLines. Bucs DLine strength appears right now to be in the middle, and I’d expect opposing teams to focus more on that, at least initially in the season. If Bucs do get a 10-sack guy, I’d more expect it to be one of our DEs. Noah Spence or Jack Smith come to mind.
June 24th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Noah Spence blows up this year and gets more than 10…
Jack Smith…Baker and several others contribute which creates a monstrous decision for OC’s around the league. Finally GMC has talent around him and he finally reached nirvana with ten sacks.
I think GMC’s pursuit of ten sacks is one of the most compelling individual stories.
For the first time in his Buc’s career he’s on a DL with some good talent around him.
June 24th, 2017 at 8:52 pm
I dont care about 10 sacks as much as i care about constant disruption. Thats more important than sacks. You can get a sack on first or second down and the team can still scores a touchdown on that drive. Constant disruption does not allow a qb to get comfortable and throws him and the offense off their game all day long. Give me that and the bucs will be a ok. Disruption is the key
June 24th, 2017 at 11:15 pm
Joe’s frustration is well placed and documented. Me, I don’t care about a 10 sack guy as much as I care about a defensive unit that totals them out. I’d rather have a strong D that brings them from all over than one beast….who goes down for the season on single play. Systems, not people. Yeah, you need studs, but you need to work it as a team.
June 24th, 2017 at 11:28 pm
I had not thought about our lack of linebacker depth until casual observer brought it up. If Korn or Levonte go down, we are screwed
June 25th, 2017 at 9:07 am
The thing that makes it hard for the pass rush to get to the qb is our soft coverage always scared to give uo the home run play they never get aggressive on the line and jam the reciever. This would automatically give the pass rush an extra second to get to the qb on obvios passing downs. Ive been waiting to see just a little of.this from the bucs forever. Sick of watching the same crap coverage because it affects the pass rush abiliry to get there
June 25th, 2017 at 9:49 am
Went to highschool with Bake. He’s a good dude.
June 25th, 2017 at 10:29 am
My crystal balls, one plastic one glass tell me Baker’s play will boost our defense very much. Under pressure, reality in the making right around the corner.
June 25th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Joe, don’t get me wrong… Micheal Bennett is great and you’re right we should never have let him go for the contract he got. But even if we had kept him we could still be in the same situation, no 10+ sack guy. I don’t think he’s ever had 10+ sacks, like you said, on the cusp but not there.
You may have kicked this dead horse enough times now.
June 25th, 2017 at 9:12 pm
This guy is gonna be a bust.
June 26th, 2017 at 9:54 am
as long as sacks turn into wins….GO BUCS!!!