Pretty much as good because the Arizona Cardinals’ offense has been not too long ago, I’ve been impressed by their protection over the past three weeks.
Since week 8, they’re sixth in EPA per play allowed, eighth in Success Fee allowed. As their three security protection begins to actually get set, a participant that has stood out each time I watch the Cardinals’ protection is security Budda Baker. Per Sports activities Data Options, Baker is second within the NFL in tackles at 100 (!), seven tackles for loss and the lynchpin behind making this protection work. He’s taking part in at an All-Professional stage for a Cardinals protection that wants his chaos, and that’s fairly superior. So let’s dig into what makes Baker so particular, and the way this protection has unleashed him—however with the intention to do this, we gotta take it again to Ames, Iowa.
Again in 2022, I wrote about the Iowa State 3-safety protection, and the way it may doubtlessly make its’ method into the NFL. I used to be initially a bit nervous about if the protection would wrestle in opposition to condensed units on the NFL stage, however optimistic that groups may simply mildew it with their personnel. Nicely, the Cardinals have performed a three-high protection for a majority of the season, and whereas they’ve struggled in areas within the run recreation, what they’ve accomplished is gotten their finest gamers on the sector.
Usually, one of the best participant for the three-high protection is the center security, the star. He’s the equalizer, the highest of the triangle between the linebackers and secondary and permit for the backers to both play sluggish or run quick downhill within the run recreation. Enter Baker, one of the best equalizer within the recreation. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis unleashes Baker within the run recreation to assist equalize the our bodies within the field, bringing him from depth to trigger issues within the run recreation. Baker has all the time been a menace coming downhill, however his instincts within the run recreation have actually stood out this season.
This play in opposition to the Bears reveals how this protection aligns itself within the 3-high shell, and the way Baker is unleashed right here. The movement brings Baker throughout, so you’ll be able to see how he’s the participant that helps the protection preserve their numbers equal. Then, on the snap the Bears run a toss play, and Baker flies like a bat out of hell to make this sort out for one yard. Unimaginable play, by a kickass participant.
As a result of the Jets performed a bit extra 12 personnel, the Cardinals spent extra time of their base protection, but it surely allowed for Baker to be nearer to the road of scrimmage. You’ll be able to see the period of time he research the sport and his opponents, as a result of he’s transferring on this zone run earlier than anybody else is. Due to the larger our bodies up entrance holding the gaps, Baker is ready to fly in and trigger issues on function.
What he does to Davante Adams right here is, in a phrase, foul. The Jets are working zone once more, and Baker hits Adams with a stutter-swipe that might make a defensive lineman jealous. He’s within the backfield making the play earlier than the RB may even get an opportunity to make the play! Facet word, that is unbelievable run protection by EDGE Jesse Luketa and LB Kyzir White. That is successful soccer proper right here.
Within the passing recreation, Baker finds himself as a rule the Tampa defender of their Tampa 2 protection, working down the center of the sector as a substitute of a slower linebacker, however when the Cardinals unleash him on blitzes, he’s a menace. The Cardinals ship everybody and their grandmother on this blitz, and since RB Breece Corridor picks the LB up on the blitz, Baker has a free run to gentle Aaron Rodgers up like a Christmas tree. Chaos mode ENGAGE!
The Cardinals are undermanned, in 12 months two of their rebuild, however are nonetheless on the high of the NFC West behind a dynamic offense and a protection that may get splash performs like this from Baker. I like watching their 3-high protection remedy the issues that the NFL faces them with, and because the secondary grows and the entrance provides larger our bodies, their future is one thing I’m enthusiastic about.
Baker is a free agent after this season, but when Rallis and the Cardinals need to preserve working this protection, he’s the crucial piece they should preserve.
