The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2024 season with a number of new faces throughout the teaching workers and the roster. One of many fundamental storylines this offseason has been the makeover of the within linebacker place. Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks left in free company, and of their place are free brokers Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker, in addition to fourth-round rookie Tyrice Knight.
Not like Dodson, who was an unrestricted free agent, Baker was a wage cap casualty who was let go by the Miami Dolphins with a 12 months remaining on his contract. There have been discussions between Baker and Miami to work a restructured deal, however in the end the 2 sides parted methods. Whereas the Dolphins added Jordyn Brooks on a three-year contract, the Seahawks picked up Baker on a one-year settlement.
In case you’re accustomed to the 5 Qs and 5 As weekly sport previews we do through the season, we’re doing a couple of particular “free agent signing” variations of 5 Qs and 5 As all through the rest of the offseason. Really, we already did one for the Sam Howell commerce a couple of months again when you’re .
We’re beginning our free agent Q&A collection with Kevin Nogle, managing editor at The Phinsider. Learn his ideas and perception on Jerome Baker.
1.) Baker recorded 12.5 sacks from 2020 to 2021. Was he pretty much as good a pass-rushing linebacker as marketed or was he concerned in a number of clean-up sacks?
Baker’s a extremely good blitzing linebacker. He makes use of his velocity and agility to get by way of gaps within the line and chase down quarterbacks, and he was requested to try this loads in 2020 and 2021. He was listed as a center linebacker, however he actually did kick exterior as a edge rusher loads, particularly in 2020 and 2021, and he excelled when requested to get after the quarterback. His velocity actually is his robust go well with, and taking part in downhill, getting after the quarterback on a blitz suits completely into his sport.
2.) How a lot did Baker’s position change underneath Vic Fangio in comparison with his three seasons underneath previous defensive coordinator Josh Boyer?
Within the Brian Flores/Josh Boyer defensive system, the Dolphins ran a number of amoeba seems, with gamers lined up throughout the sphere, then shifting into the protection scheme on the snap. Miami would line eight gamers up on the road of scrimmage, then have some drop again – we’d see defensive Christian Wilkins out of the blue in the course of the protection like a center linebacker making a play whereas Baker was go dashing like a defensive finish. It was loopy and it labored so very properly – so long as the Dolphins cornerbacks have been wholesome and in a position to play man-on-man. Fangio’s protection is far totally different than the earlier system, and Baker’s position drastically modified. As an alternative of being a blitz-heavy participant who may get after quarterbacks, Baker was requested to be extra of a real inside linebacker, stuffing the run and dropping into protection. I believe he solely had one thing like 50-55 go rush makes an attempt through the season, which was a lot decrease than we have been used to seeing from him. Baker missed video games for the primary time in his profession, accounting for a few of the drop off, but it surely felt just like the Dolphins have been utilizing him in a job the place he could possibly be a really strong participant as an alternative of a job the place he could possibly be a star on the protection.
3.) How is Baker’s go protection in comparison with his run protection?
I have no idea that I might name both a power of Baker’s, however he has gotten higher at each as his profession has developed. He can step up and make a sort out within the run sport and he can use his velocity to maintain up with gamers in go protection, however neither is pretty much as good as his capacity to go rush. I really feel like I’m speaking extra about an edge rusher than a center linebacker, however blitzing actually is the place Baker can take advantage of impression. He is an effective play caller for the protection and he has good play diagnostic abilities as properly. His velocity lets him play sideline-to-sideline properly. Opposing offenses took benefit of the Dolphins’ inside linebackers within the passing sport final 12 months, however I really feel that was extra a response to the zone protection that Fangio was working than it was groups actively concentrating on Baker. I assume my reply right here is, Baker is a really strong jack-of-all-trades sort the place go dashing is his speciality and every little thing else is nice with occasional frustration.
4.) Baker was a cap casualty with a 12 months left on his contract. How a lot of it do you imagine was as a consequence of efficiency how a lot was it right down to the accidents he suffered towards the tip of the season that led to his launch with an damage designation?
I believe Miami actually would have appreciated to have him again this 12 months, however the cap scenario simply didn’t permit it. They saved nearly $10 million towards the cap by releasing him, which went a protracted strategy to serving to a workforce that was projected to be $55 million over the cap. Baker didn’t need to take a pay minimize or restructure his contract, so the Dolphins have been compelled to launch him. His absence undoubtedly opened a gap on the roster than Miami is hoping your previous pal Jordyn Brooks or former Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker, Jr., can fill.
5.) From a Miami perspective, do you see Jordyn Brooks as an improve from Jerome Baker?
I wish to suppose so, however the concern proper now’s we simply do not likely understand how new defensive coordinator and former Baltimore Ravens line of defense coach Anthony Weaver will scheme the protection. That mentioned, Brooks’ velocity and his tackling capacity ought to completely be on show. If Brooks can step into the opening left by Baker, function the sign caller and diagnose performs as shortly as he strikes, the Dolphins ought to have an improve. That mentioned, it may show to be extra about system match than it’s concerning the precise participant, particularly in the case of Baker’s position with the Seahawks.
Due to Kevin for answering my questions, and hopefully you may have a greater sense of what to anticipate from Baker (pending his damage restoration). Later this month our subsequent Q&A will probably be with Buffalo Rumblings’ Matthew Byham on Tyrel Dodson.
