Behind the Steel Curtain: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Sounder At Heart for Seattle Sounders Fans!

Anybody Else The Least Bit Excited About Dallas Baker?

Ok, let's get the negatives out of the way with Dallas Baker real quick: he's not the fastest of receivers, having run a 4.6 at Florida's Pro Day, and a 4.53 at the Combine; he's also named after the Dallas Cowboys, his family's favorite team growing up; finally, he's older than most rookies at 25 years of age.

What about the positives? At 6'3", Baker is the tallest WR on the roster. He's also been extremely productive for multiple years at Florida. He's ninth all-time in TD receptions, and snagged 151 receptions for 2,236 yards during his collegiate career.

I'm not saying Baker is going to be Marques Colston, but there are some similarities. They're the same heighth, were both undervalued and fell to the 7th round because of their lack of game-changing speed, and both possess great hands, although from all accounts, hardly anybody has hands as sure as Colston.

Furthermore, Big Ben loves tall receivers. It took him nearly 3/4 of a season to get comfortable throwing to the diminuitive Santonio Holmes. If Hines Ward can stay healthy, if Holmes can continue to develop and force defenses to account for his game-breaking speed, and if Bruce Arians does in fact utilize Heath Miller more productively, Baker should have plenty of chances to make 'possesion' receptions against single coverage.

He's got a long track record of doing so at Florida, especially in the red zone, and I, for one am optimistic that he'll be able to do so in the NFL.

0 recs  |  Comment 6 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

i watched
this guy up close a bit, being in SEC land, and saw him first hand from my, ahem, 50 yrd line seats at the SEC champ game, and he's got some serious skills.  The main reason he fell so far is because of Fla's pro workout and the combine.  But lets face it, there have been many guys that have run slow at those events and still be great players.  I think this guy was a big steal, and I am very excited about him in a year or two.

by steelerark on May 4, 2007 7:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

WR
I'm interested to see him. I'm really excited to see Willie Reid healthy.

by schnifin on May 4, 2007 10:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Watching him burn...
...Alabama's coverage (I'm looking at you, Mr. Irrelevant, too bad we aren't playing Detroit this year) last season was miserable, but now that he's playing for a team I root for I'm all about some Dallas Baker.

by Todd on May 6, 2007 10:18 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I too.
want to see WIllie Reid running rampant.   I think speed is too overvalued at the WR position.  True, a man can burn a single coverage, but with over the top safety coverage, play in and play out you get more bang for your buck on a guy who's quick through his routes and is sure handed.  Not to mention tall enough to get up and make a catch.  I think it bodes for an exciting year!

by Mikey on May 7, 2007 8:57 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

reid
I just remember all preseason thinking that Reid looked to be a better reciever than Holmes, and that was not a knock on Holmes.

by schnifin on May 7, 2007 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is Cedric still on the roster
and if so what is his role going to be?  With all these young wideouts he looks to be pretty expendable.  

by cgolden on May 7, 2007 4:32 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to BTSC, a blog dedicated to the SIX-time world champion Steelers.

"Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history."

Art Rooney Jr.

"Level-headed thinking." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Start posting about the Steelers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

09_mc501_hemlet_105270_small
HSS Quarterly Draft Report #2: Late edition
Small
At The Half: The Steelers On The Back Stretch
Miketomlin-200_small
Familiar feel? & a look ahead
Steelers_small
Keystone Zebras Want You
Vaca_mexico_068_small
Ryan Clark, Denver, and Sickle Cell Disease

Recent FanPosts

2196876391_dcb0380cb0_small
Sunday games open thread
Small
Law don't go around here Law Dog
Dsc00111edit_small
Ah, familiarity.
Dr
Knowing when to pull the trigger
Jester_small
Yinz Luv... Jim Shearer
Sidney_steelers_small
Look for Woodley to Emerge
Small
Biggest Concerns - Denver Broncos
Yeswecan_160_small
See "The Chief"
Small
Hurry up offense
Sidney_steelers_small
Bengals - Turning point for a franchise

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

SPONSORS


Site Founder & Editor

Mbean_small Blitzburgh

Steelers Historian

Steeler_small maryrose

Bringing You Your Daily Six Pack

Plainview_small drinkyourmilkshake