Falcons LT Sam Baker to miss 3 to 4 weeks
Falcons lineman Sam Baker blocks Carolina's Charles Johnson, giving Matt Ryan time to pass. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons left tackle Sam Baker will be out three to four weeks with a back injury head coach Mike Smith announced Wednesday.
Baker had been playing well after a slow start to the season. He had tough matchups in the opener against Chicago’s Julius Peppers and in the second game against Philadelphia’s Trent Cole.
After the line had given up 13 sacks in the first three games, Smith said the staff was considering shaking up the starting line. The week before the Seattle game, Baker and Will Svitek were splitting time with the first-team.
When the Falcons got off to a good start and jumped out to a 27-7 lead against Seattle, the staff decided not to make any major personnel changes. Svitek started for Baker against Detroit in the Falcons game on Oct. 23.
Smith has said that the offense has had to make some “schematic” changes to protect Ryan. They are throwing off of fewer five- and seven-step drops, rolling Ryan out some and leaving in running backs or tight ends to help chip block.
Svitek was originally with Kansas City. The Falcons signed him Feb. 12, 2009.
Baker has a history of back problems. He had a discectomy, a surgical procedure on herniated disc material in his lower back in an attempt to relieve pain in his hip during his rookie year. He elected to have that surgery in California.
In the wake of Baker’s injury and the lost of guard Mike Johnson (foot), the Falcons signed five-year veteran Kirk Chambers on Oct. 25. He will serve as a backup at guard and tackle.
When he was a rookie Baker saw specialists in New York and California.
Baker, a first-round draft pick chosen 21st overall in the 2008 draft, opened the season as the starting left tackle.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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67 comments Add your comment
O'Brien
November 2nd, 2011
8:43 pm
TD needs to feel some heat for the Baker pick, who he traded up to get.
Baker was injured during his senior year in college, and he fell in the draft. But TD thought he was worth it.
Baker has not panned out (imo)
SeenThisB4
November 2nd, 2011
9:10 pm
Go Colts!
Falcons' Sam Baker out 3-4 weeks | Pro Football Zone
November 2nd, 2011
9:50 pm
[...] Falcons left tackle Sam Baker will be out for the next three to four weeks with a back [...]
Falcon James
November 2nd, 2011
10:35 pm
Ryan must be breathing a sigh of relief knowing that he has a competent blocker for the next 3 to 4 weeks. the falcon will also have less offencive holding penalties for the next 3 to 4 weeks. this is the best news we have had since bobby petrino quit!
OHIOdirtybird!!!!
November 2nd, 2011
10:39 pm
I am not the type of person to say that an injury to Sam Baker is a “good” thing……That being said I don’t know that I will call it a “bad” thing, as he has proved in MULTIPLE games that he can hurt us more than help us….It is also still early to put much into Will Svitek as well, need to see a lil bit more of a body of work from him but we will certainly see how that pans out in the next few weeks. Wish everyone a speedy recovery!!!….Go Dirtybirds!!!
Eric C.
November 2nd, 2011
10:57 pm
Sam Baker has been doing alright…and we will miss the depth he provides to the OL, hopefully he will get back soon.
FalconJim
November 3rd, 2011
1:05 am
I think we’ll be alright, without Sam Baker. Guy should have never been drafted, with his history of injuries…..but, that’s not his fault.
I wish him the best…….just not here.
GHunt
November 3rd, 2011
3:14 am
When Baker return he will be playing right guard. GReynold will be the back up at both tackle position. Smitty will make this work to our advantage.
Feeney, Mathis, JAllen and WSmith murderous row for any LT will lead to Svitek’s promotion.
Back injury sidelines Falcons tackle Baker | sportslocalnews.com
November 3rd, 2011
8:01 am
[...] Falcons offensive tackle Sam Baker has had a history of back problems and another one will keep him out of the lineup for the next three or four weeks, according to the Atlanta [...]
Back injury sidelines Falcons tackle Baker | sportsinfoworld.com
November 3rd, 2011
10:53 am
[...] Falcons offensive tackle Sam Baker has had a history of back problems and another one will keep him out of the lineup for the next three or four weeks, according to the Atlanta [...]
KenFalco
November 3rd, 2011
12:23 pm
This means 3-4 consecutive wins. Protection in the DET game was way better thanks to Baker not being in the game. What a crappy 1st Rd pick.
Rikus
November 3rd, 2011
12:24 pm
Geez, you guys are pretty brutal. Give the guy a break!
Milt Olsen
November 3rd, 2011
1:15 pm
How would you people like to have the same things said about if you were hurt or sick that you are saying about Banker. The man was playing hurt and he probably did not tell the coaching staff because he wanted to play and help his team. The man may not have made the right decision, but he had the balls to hang in there as long as he could. The Falcons win this week by about 54 to 3. The reserves could beat Indy.
Falcons Chic
November 3rd, 2011
7:56 pm
While I wish his back would improve, I have to agree with my husband that Baker (and Robinson) are paid high above their production levels. I miss HDahl, but would like see if Baker can replace Reynolds.
I wish everyone would stop talking only about Luck. We should be in the market for an LT tho’ I”m cheering for Svitek to make this promising transition.
Hilarious
November 4th, 2011
3:26 pm
The football God is watching over the Falcons found a way to get him out of the game without blatantly benching his sorry you know what. I’m just Lmao this is too good.
oldcuss
November 4th, 2011
4:34 pm
I did not read all of the above but did anyone siggest that Baker might work out well at another OL position??
Back injury sidelines Falcons tackle Baker | yoursportsinfo.com
November 5th, 2011
7:02 am
[...] Falcons offensive tackle Sam Baker has had a history of back problems and another one will keep him out of the lineup for the next three or four weeks, according to the Atlanta [...]