A player to keep your eye on.

by 54 on Apr 28, 2010 2:57 PM EDT

At Purdue, he had 88 tackles, 24 were for losses and 8 sacks. He also had two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. More importantly, he was a team captain as a senior.

He was undrafted in 2009. We then brought him in and he made the practice squad. In November he got a spot on the 53 man roster. He played in 5 games(limited) which he had 2 tackles and 0.5 sacks. This offseason he was told to put on pounds so can be moved to NT. He is 6'5" greater than 295lbs (last years weight) DE Ryan Baker.

How well he does is anyone's guess. Most likely he'll provide good depth. But, I would love to see him continuing growing and beating Starks out for the NT spot, because Starks is a force at DE. Our starting Dline would be awesome with Starks, a good NT, and Odrick.

Just my thought and something to keep your eyes on.

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Comments

He was brought up for exactly that.

To sub for Soliai as NT in the base 3-4. He showed some flashes of potential in his limited time playing. But I think he’s more likely to become Soliai’s replacement unless Soliai can outplay him.

I used to think I had a drinking problem.
So I stopped thinking.

by luvs2drnk on Apr 28, 2010 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

considering the new defensive scheme

its possible that Soliai and Baker are fighting for one spot…they probably told Baker to gain weight for a move to NT because his chances of beating out Tony McDaniel or Phillip Merling for a backup DE job is slim and none. Though you never know they might keep both, and also watch out for Travis Ivey.

by JaredN on Apr 28, 2010 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

I like the competition between

Ivey, Baker, and Starks. A, it hinders the latter from falling into an incumbent state, and B, Ivey and Baker have both shown some potential whether long- or short-term.

I should doubt that they keep Soliai, Starks, Baker, AND Ivey on the roster as NT, so it’s likely Baker and Ivey are fighting for one spot.

I like Baker’s odds over Ivey’s, even though Ivey’s name is sick.

2009 Unofficial "The Phinsider" (Phinaddict's League) Fantasy Baseball League Champion

1a. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee/1b. Earl Thomas, S, Texas
1c. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson/1d. Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee
1e. Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas/1f. Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan