HEADLINES

Sam Baker

Ex-Falcons OT Sam Baker Likely To Retire

August 11th, 2015 at 9:14pm CST by Zachary Links

David Baker, Sam Baker‘s father, told Gil Brandt and Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio that his son “probably just concluded his career” because of injuries that maligned him for most of the past seven seasons in Atlanta. Baker was released back in June and his name hasn’t come up in connection with another club since that time.

Baker, 30, had been recovering from a torn right patellar tendon that forced him out of action for the entire 2014 season. Knee issues limited him to less than 200 offensive snaps in 2013 as well, so health and cap concerns likely both played a part in the Falcons’ decision to part ways with him.

Baker had been set to count for $7.3MM against Atlanta’s cap this year, and that number actually would’ve increased had the team opted to cut him prior to June 1. Instead, as a mid-June cut, he’ll have only a $2.8MM dead money cap hit for the Falcons this year, creating $4.5MM in cap room. The remaining $6.4MM in dead money on Baker’s contract will be on the club’s books for 2016.

Baker, a first-round pick in 2008, played 66 games (57 starts) at left tackle for the Falcons from 2008 to 2012 before injuries limited him over the last two seasons. While his solid play earned Baker a big contract, the team drafted Jake Matthews in 2014 intending to make Matthews the long-term left tackle. Had he remained on the team for the 2015 season, Baker likely would’ve played guard.

Falcons Release Sam Baker

June 15th, 2015 at 10:52am CST by Luke Adams

The Falcons have released offensive tackle Sam Baker, the team announced today in a press release. Because Baker is a vested veteran, he’ll immediately become a free agent without having to pass through waivers.

Bakers, who turned 30 last month, had been recovering from a torn right patellar tendon that forced him out of action for the entire 2014 season. Knee issues limited him to less than 200 offensive snaps in 2013 as well, so health and cap concerns likely both played a part in the Falcons’ decision to part ways with him.

Baker had been set to count for $7.3MM against Atlanta’s cap this year, and that number actually would’ve increased had the team opted to cut him prior to June 1. Instead, he’ll have a $2.8MM dead money cap hit for the Falcons this year, creating $4.5MM in cap room. The remaining $6.4MM in dead money on Baker’s contract will be on the club’s books for 2016.

Baker, a first-round pick in 2008, played 66 games (57 starts) at left tackle for the Falcons from 2008 to 2012 before injuries limited him over the last two seasons. While his solid play earned Baker a big contract, the team drafted Jake Matthews in 2014 intending to make Matthews the long-term left tackle. Had he remained on the team for the 2015 season, Baker likely would’ve played guard.

Depending on his health, Baker could be a low-cost investment with upside for a team in need of offensive line help. I wouldn’t put him at left tackle anymore, but it’s possible he could play on the right side, or at one of the guard spots. Are there any teams you view as a potential fit for the longtime Falcon? Feel free to weigh in below in the comments section.

Minor Moves: Monday

August 18th, 2014 at 8:29pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll round up Monday’s minor transactions from around the NFL below, with the latest moves added throughout the day to the top of the list:

  • The Bears announced (via Twitter) that they have also signed KR/WR Darius Reynaud and have released LS Chad Rempel and P Tress Way. As Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets, the release of Way means that sixth-round pick Pat O’Donnell has won the team’s punting competition.
  • Cornerback Peyton Thompson, who was cut by the Redskins earlier this month, has agreed to sign with the Bears, according to his agent, Doug Hendrickson (via Twitter). Chicago will have to make a move to clear room on the roster for Thompson.

Earlier updates:

  • The Vikings have claimed former Lions linebacker Justin Jackson off waivers, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), Minnesota waived-injured linebacker Dom DeCicco in a corresponding roster move.
  • In a series of three tweets, Wilson passes along a list of players who have been removed from their teams’ injured reserve lists: Korey Lindsey (Cowboys), David Snow (Steelers), and Steve Hull (Saints). Per Wilson (via Twitter), the Saints also terminated Richard Quinn‘s contract from their reserve-retired list. Lindsey and Snow both received settlements, while Hull and Quinn are ending their careers.
  • Having officially moved tackle Sam Baker to injured reserve, the Falcons have brought aboard another veteran lineman, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve signed Pat McQuistan, who has played for five NFL teams and has 11 career starts.
  • After recently being cut by the Redskins, defensive lineman Doug Worthington has signed with the Chargers, who announced today that defensive end Damik Scafe will be waived-injured to make room (Twitter link).
  • The Steelers completed a series of roster moves today, signing offensive tackle Graham Pocic and cornerback Dayonne Nunley. The team also cut wideout James Shaw and waived-injured guard Bryant Browning. The team’s PR man, Burt Lauten, has the details via Twitter.
  • Running back Cameron Marshall has been waived by the Dolphins to clear a roster spot for the team to sign defensive end Rakim Cox, the team announced today (via Twitter).

Sam Baker Tears Patellar Tendon, Will Miss 2014 Season

August 17th, 2014 at 4:59pm CST by Rory Parks

4:59pm: The Falcons have confirmed that Baker will miss the entire 2014 season. The announcement was accompanied by a statement from head coach Mike Smith:

“Following his injury in the game, Sam underwent a number of tests and it was determined that he had suffered a torn patellar tendon and will miss the rest of the season,” said Smith. “Sam had worked extremely hard to get back on the field after missing most of last season, and he was having a good camp. I know he is disappointed, but I also know he is a very resilient football player and will do whatever he can to bounce back.”

12:41pm: Citing ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets that tests have confirmed that Baker ruptured his right patellar tendon.

8:33am: The early diagnosis for Falcons left tackle Sam Baker, who was carted off the field during Saturday’s preseason contest against the Texans, is a torn right patellar tendon, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rapoport adds that, if the diagnosis is confirmed, Baker’s season is almost certainly over.

Jake Matthews, the team’s first-round pick in this year’s draft, was supposed to start at right tackle in 2014 and slowly transition to the left side. However, as Rapoport notes in a separate tweet, Baker’s injury accelerates Matthews’ move to left tackle. It remains to be seen what Atlanta will do at right tackle going forward, though Lamar Holmes (who replaced Baker on the blind side in last night’s game) will get a shot, as will Ryan Schraeder. Gabe Carimi, who signed with the Falcons as a free agent in February, sprained his ankle in practice several weeks ago but was having a good training camp until the injury and could be in the mix. But he struggled at both tackle positions during his time with the Bears and looked to have more value as a backup guard.

Baker missed 12 games in 2013 due to a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, which makes his latest injury even more troublesome. He has also dealt with back problems over the course of his career. The Falcons’ offensive line was a mess last season, and Baker’s injury increased the likelihood of a repeat performance in 2014.

Monday Roundup: Graham, Taylor, Dolphins

June 30th, 2014 at 10:02pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at some links from around the league on this Monday evening:

  • Arbitrator Stephen Burbank will issue his decision on Saints tight end Jimmy Graham‘s franchise tag grievance on Thursday, according to Adam Schefter and Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
  • Steelers‘ cornerback Ike Taylor, who agreed to reduce his 2014 salary from $7MM to $2.5MM in March, and who seemed at peace when speaking with reporters about his decision just a month ago–he simply said “my [new] salary is a lot of money”–has apparently had a change of heart. As Mark Kaboly of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes, Taylor recently appeared on The Jim Rome Show and stated, “Did it hurt me? Hell yeah. Does it still hurt? Yeah, it hurts, but hopefully I can go in and bounce back this year, do what I need to do on the field and we will see what happens after.” Of course, there is nothing Taylor can do about it now, and both he and the Steelers are hoping for a bounce-back year in 2014.
  • ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets a couple of options for the Eagles as they make to shuffle their offensive line in the wake of the Lane Johnson suspension.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com continues his Best Contract/Worst Contract series with the Falcons. He explains why the team’s best contract is with wideout Roddy White, and the worst is with LT Sam Baker.
  • Dr. David Chao, whose piece for the National Football Post we referenced earlier today with regards to the dangers associated with playing football on dirt–as they do in the Oakland Coliseum–also passed along a couple of Dolphins injury notes. Chao confirms that running back Knowshon Moreno has had his knee scoped and should return in time for the majority of training camp, but he expects center Mike Pouncey to wind up on the PUP list, requiring him to miss at least the first six weeks of the season.