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Around SBN: Post-UNC Thoughts

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.

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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

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