Sam Baker knows he, o-line has to step-up
Eagles defensive end Jason Babin sacks Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons left tackle Sam Baker is taking a lot of heat from from you all after his performance against the Eagles and defensive end Trent Cole.
“Yeah, towards the end of the game I finally got it together, but it was a long day for sure against Trent,” Baker said on Wednesday.
It must be noted that with the game on the line, Baker won his battles in the two 80-yard drives to win the game. Also, Baker is a stand up guy and addressed his plight and noted that the offensive line is under pressure from the coaches to firm-up the passing pocket.
The offensive line has been taking some heat for giving up nine sacks and 17 hits on quarterback Matt Ryan.
Ryan’s ability to withstand the hits caused Falcons coach Mike Smith to call him “One tough Irishman.”
Baker said the coaches have turned the heat up on the offensive line, which may get center Todd McClure back this week.
“We’ve been sweating ourselves and we don’t want to get him hit either,” said Baker. “We really have to pull it together and really firm it up so that he can make plays.”
Last season, the line gave up just 23 sacks and the offensive line was a finalist for the Madden most valuable protectors award, which goes to the NFL’s best offensive line.
Right guard Harvey Dahl has been replaced in the lineup by Garrett Reynolds and Joe Hawley has started the first two games at center for McClure.
Baker didn’t want to use the lockout as an excuse.
“I don’t know what that is,” Baker said. “But we definitely have to get it going here.”
Even though the line struggled in protection at times against the Eagles, the Falcons were 5-for-5 in the redzone.
“That’s a big key for us,” Baker said. “All preseason we were getting down there, but we weren’t really scoring. That was huge for us to get into the end zone.”
After opening the season against Chicago’s Julius Peppers and Cole, Baker will get Tampa Bay rookie Adrian Clayborn this week. Clayborn was the 20th player selected in the 2011 NFL draft.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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78 comments Add your comment
Falcon Fanatic
September 21st, 2011
9:33 pm
Baker is and has been subpar at LT. He needs to man up or we need to let Svitek take over and replace him after this year. Up to this point he has been an absolute waste of space.
falconhawk
September 21st, 2011
9:51 pm
Would someone please tell me what the coaches were thinking when they let Dahl go? I don’t care who the qb is, if he’s being pressured and sacked he’s going to be intercepted or fumble. Worse, he will be injured and it looks like Matt is close to being out for the season…just a few more hits on the knee and he’s out of here. What in the heck were they thinking? Indy has always gone after the best OL players they could fine to protect Manning. What will the Falcons be without Ryan? I’m still shaking my head…what were they thinking? They saved a few bucks but may have cost us a chance at the playoffs and they risk injury to the man they want to carry the team. Really, really, stupid!!!
KenK
September 21st, 2011
10:07 pm
Another big mistake by TD. Baker is only on the team because he was TD 1st round pick. TD even moved up to pick him. TD has never admitted to making a mistake. So we are stuck with this waste.. TD is clueless at drafting and signing FA..Svitek is just as bad as Baker. I would try Valdez if he didnt work out. pick up someone on FA. We need to hire someone that knows talent to make picks on drafting and FA..
Falconsfan13
September 21st, 2011
10:41 pm
I agree that Sam Baker had a very rough outing, but Mularkey could at least recognize this and put a TE on that side to chip. the entire line has to do a better job though. We had better perform much better this week against TB young, unexperienced line. Got to win your one-on-ones though, for EVERYBODY!!!!! Rise UP Falcons!!!!
what,what,what??
September 21st, 2011
10:52 pm
thank god ryan is a “tough irishman”,because mr. baker will get him to the IRL if he does’nt do the job of protecting #2’s backside!!! his job,his only job.suffice to say mr.baker has been an abject failure for yrs. you are,who you are at this point in a career.earn your $$$$$$$. as a wiseman (?) once said,”this is the NFL,WHICH MEANS NOT FOR LONG,if one can’t play. word!!
BipolarFalcon
September 22nd, 2011
2:17 am
Sam Baker must did something right at the end of game…and he came out a winner!
marko
September 22nd, 2011
5:06 am
Left tackle is by far the toughest position on the offensive line. When the Falcons traded back into the first round to select Baker, many considered it a bit of a reach. Reach or not, we play Baker at left tackle because we don’t have anybody any better. More to the point most the other teams in the league don’t have anybody better than Baker either.
I’m happy we won Sunday, but I think our coaching staff was over matched by Andy and his boys. The freaky defense the Eagles employed is designed for the sole purpose of killing the quarterback. There’s not a line in the league that could defend Ryan any better than his did. I’m all for going down the field, but against that spread out defense we should have featured more screens and dump offs to our running backs. Matt has a sore knee. We’re lucky he can still walk.
StatesBurr
September 22nd, 2011
5:52 am
Jay September 21st, 2011 3:23 pm
“This is the worst blog on Ajc. The Falcons deserve as good of coverage as the Braves and Hawks.”
You are right Jay, I have been saying forever that the Number 1 Sport, in the Top city in the South, where football is King, we have the absolute WORST pro football coverage imaginable. Do you believe the New York Post/Daily News, Wash Post, Dallas Morning News,Denver Tribune, etc… provides coverage like this weak blog/newspaper. No, but we get the OBVIOUS stuff… Ryan injured, Dunta fines, Baker not performing well…. Who in the heck could not see that!!! Where is the Hudspeth Report again???? At least he commented in depth after games and he was funny too….
Ivan
September 22nd, 2011
7:40 am
I have been wanting the Falcons to draft linemen, on either side, for the last few years. Aside from McClure, we haven’t had much of a consistent line. Last year, I thought with Dahl, Baker, and McClure, the O-line was pretty strong.
But the front office couldn’t keep that unit together.
Now with McClure injured, Dahl walking to another team for more money, and Baker in this “slump”, we’re seeing the depth issue that’s been lingering.
Every team has a depth issue in certain positions, though. I guess the only thing we can do is hope Reynolds and Hawley step up.
Michael M.
September 22nd, 2011
7:44 am
Raheem Morris: Falcons And Bucs Don’t Like One Another
That may be an understatement.
Another thriller in da making
Atlanta by a Fieldgoal in a sea saw battle down in the Bay
Yep
September 22nd, 2011
8:06 am
great post marko
Joe Tess Fish House
September 22nd, 2011
8:11 am
Enter your comments here
Joe Tess Fish House
September 22nd, 2011
8:12 am
Yeah Sam Baker anoter fist round bust!
Michael M.
September 22nd, 2011
9:13 am
Think after all the heat ole Sam has taken past couple of weeks he will surprise us and start playing and protecting Matt better. Probably the strike and lockout just has alot of the players still rusty from not getting into Training Camp on schedule.
SavannahFalconsFan
September 22nd, 2011
9:14 am
KenK,
Are you serious? TD is clueless? Really?! So, this turn around of fortune for the Falcons franchise had nothing to do with TD? You, sir, are clueless!
kingfisher
September 22nd, 2011
9:50 am
Mr OC screen passes work well for the other 31 teams!!!!!!!!
Chris
September 22nd, 2011
10:34 am
I really enjoy reading all the opinions on this site and others, but I really do not believe the Sam Baker bashing is deserved. He plays very well, on a very good offensive line, a very good offence, and a very good team. He is left on an island against the best defensive ends in the league, week in and week out. Teams have to change their playbook every week based on what the defence is capable of. The Falcons, who have been nothing but succesful over the past 3 seasons, have chosen to leave him on that island and we have won a lot of games. Is he a top ten tackle? Probably not, but we have all seen J. Abraham abuse some tackles that are considered annual pro bowlers. He is going to win some and lose some, but the coaches trust him to block Ryan’s blind side without any TE, or RB help. How many left tackles are capable of that?
North FLA Falcon
September 22nd, 2011
10:40 am
Ryan holds the ball too long … roll out, throw it away, tuck and run if you have an opening … don’t stand in the pocket and get happy feet …
Casey
September 22nd, 2011
12:26 pm
At least Baker did man up and admit his mistakes rather than point fingers or make excuses. He can’t help that the Falcons reached and picked him in the first round. I wouldn’t call him a first round bust since he was such a reach. He would’ve been a solid 3rd round pick. Nevertheless it is what it is – and I’m sure he’ll make the adjustments this week.
PMC
September 22nd, 2011
12:27 pm
I think the line will improve greatly with McClure back, Blalock was road grading last week btw.
Baker needs to have a good showing but I believe he will against Clayborn this week.
PMC
September 22nd, 2011
12:29 pm
5 for 5 in the redzone last week was awesome. They just need to clean it up avoid the awful 3rd quarter etc, drive killing penalties and mistakes.
BigHittas
September 22nd, 2011
2:07 pm
I been tellin y’all 23 don’t make no plays!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-forbes-overpaid_nfl_players_092011
FalconRob
September 22nd, 2011
3:02 pm
I am glad to see Sam isn’t afraid to admit he was man handled the last 2 games. Last year Sam got off to a slow start as well. Not sure why, but he needs to play well every game for us to be a contender and to keep Matt healthy. If we make the playoffs I hope the excuse won’t be the DE were good players and that is why I did not have a good game or you will be replaced. Hope you step it up.
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[...] Orlando Ledbetter, the Dixie Chicks offensive line has been positively porous so far, giving up nine sacks and 17 hits on Matty Ice. “We’ve been sweating ourselves and we don’t [...]
KenK
September 22nd, 2011
6:08 pm
savfalconsfan If you cant see it I cant help you.. We had good talent before TD got here all we needed was a good coach. Smith turned the team around not TD.. I know TD did hire Smith that was a good thing.. TD really didnt do much to help except draft WHO Sign who at FA? How many DBs have TD drafted and how many is still playing?? TD drafts waste P. Jerry instead of All Pro Clay Mathews.If TD cant draft in the top 10 picks he is clueless.I just think if we let TD make the decisision DRAFT and FA in a few years we going to be below 500..First to be fired will be Smith then mr. Blank finds out it was not the coach but the GM ( lack of TALENT)…
Nativebird
September 22nd, 2011
6:21 pm
Hawley is flat getting abused in the middle. It was happening in pre-season and continues to happen in the regular season. When he isn’t getting his a#$% handed to him by DT’s, he get’s called for holding. He is NOT Nfl ready. One of two Dimitrof’s two BIG mistakes this offseason/draft; Cutting the BEST punter in the league for a rookie bum, and not drafting or signing a Center to shore up Mclure. Both will haunt this team all year.
Falcon Fan For Lilfe
September 22nd, 2011
6:24 pm
I’m the original FFFL!!!!!!
Jay
September 22nd, 2011
11:49 pm
Let me say one thing how mand of yu dumb ass actually played in the nfl prolly none how many played college football one a division one school I played for vandy as a de and lb the d line was using a wide 9 technique theyre comin off the edge at full speed and its easy to get,yur ass handed to u if yu are an o lineman u have yur hand in the dirt u cant move til the balls snapped and yu gotta work you ass to keep him from gettin a clear shot there at full speed dumbasses sams a hell of a lt and u watch hell put in the work