E-mailed Pat Yasinskas regarding the AWFUL Sam Baker

[g-dawg]

MY E-MAIL:

Pat,

The results are in – the Sam Baker “experiment” is over……..Week in and week out, Sam Baker consistently gets beat on the pass rush. Everyone keeps wondering “What is wrong w/ the Falcons offense?”. Well I can tell you. Matt Ryan rarely has a clean pocket to throw from and he is always running for his life. The lack of the deep passing game is usually because of the lack of protection. Many defenders of Falcons offensive line will cite the lack of sacks. Well, Matt Ryan probably throws the ball away more than any other QB in the NFL and most of the passes are very quick hitters.

If I was Mike Smith, Mike Mularkey and Paul Boudreau – I would go ahead and make the change to the back-up LT – Will Svitek. Its not because I think that Svitek is such a great left tackle(he is not). The reason I would make the change is this - Could Svitek be any worse than Sam Baker? I really doubt that he would be – how could he? Baker is straight up AWFUL. Surely you are noticing this as well….

How can Matt Ryan ever be “all he can be” until he gets legitimate pass protection from his blind side? I would submit to you that he cannot and Sam Baker’s play has been on the decline since his rookie year – and his rookie year was just OK. There are no excuses now for Sam Baker as he has been healthy.

I would love to see you write a column on this – I think Falcons fans would like to see it as well. I think this pass protection issue and Sam Baker need to be asked of Mike Smith as well. I know Mike is very classy head coach and won’t call out his players publicly – nevertheless, the question needs to be asked in my opinion.

Would love to hear your response as well – thanks Pat.

PAT YASKINSKAS RESPONSE:

Agree. Ryan was taking hits all day yesterday. Took a real beating, even though he was getting rid of the ball (barely). I was giving Baker benefit of the doubt because of the injuries, but he should be much better than he is now and he's not getting the job done.

Like you said, Smith isn't the type to publicly call out his players. But I'll talk to our Scouts Inc. guys or maybe just some scouts around the league and try to get an honest appraisal on Baker.

Thanks,

Pat

[Zenduke]

nice.....pretty cool that he answered like that.

[opensource010]

Like you said, Smith isn't the type to publicly call out his players. But I'll talk to our Scouts Inc. guys or maybe just some scouts around the league and try to get an honest appraisal on Baker.

Thanks,

Pat

I would love to see the info he gets from this.

[Statick]

Personally, I'm surprised at Baker's bad play. The last reprieve that I can honestly give him is that he's not a natural LT. He's a RT that got moved to that side. Coach should give Svitek or Reynolds more playing time on that side.

[g-dawg]

I would love to see the info he gets from this.

yeah, I kind of got the feeling from his response in e-mail that "maybe" he would write about this (Sam Baker) in his blog - I followed up w/ Pat's response to ask him such - hopefully this will be in Pat's blog later in the week.

[opensource010]

yeah, I kind of got the feeling from his response in e-mail that "maybe" he would write about this (Sam Baker) in his blog - I followed up w/ Pat's response to ask him such - hopefully this will be in Pat's blog later in the week.

That would be cool. Hopefully if he does, you will share with us.

[rugger8]

I think Sam could be a top-notch RT, but yeah... It's frustrating to see him out there. He does ok against the bottom half of the league, but he affects the rest of the line when we're going up against the better DLs.

There was a thread before that McNeil from the Chargers would be available in the off-season. Does anyone have any confirmation on that? We're not going to find an immediate LT starter where we're likely to be drafting.

[slamee101]

Yea, that is kind of cool that he answered.

I gotta say though, I can't be mad at TD on the Baker pick. We clearly wanted to get some pieces on offense...we took Matt and felt we needed to sure up some protection. Unfortunately the LTs started jumping off the board in that one. 6 Tackles got drafted before Baker and 5 after week took Matt at 3. Didn't we trade up to get there too?

This staff didn't call out Chris Houston last year...it's our way and I actually like that. I think it's clear though we've got issues on the left side (I'm not sold on Blalock either) and I doubt we sit back and keep things as is next season.

[hawkeye]

I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt too, but he just is not getting better. It's time for a change.

And you can best believe they see it too on film.

[Statick]

I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt too, but he just is not getting better. It's time for a change.

And you can best believe they see it too on film.

You know Matt's seeing it, which is why he's like a jackrabbit in the pocket.

[DUB]

Tom Brady just called and said Sam Baker needs to shave his beard.

[slamee101]

I think Sam could be a top-notch RT, but yeah... It's frustrating to see him out there. He does ok against the bottom half of the league, but he affects the rest of the line when we're going up against the better DLs.

There was a thread before that McNeil from the Chargers would be available in the off-season. Does anyone have any confirmation on that? We're not going to find an immediate LT starter where we're likely to be drafting.

Last I heard was that SD had or was close to signing him to an extension so I think that's out.

[innovativefx]

All the hate for Baker, I saw Harvey Dahl get abused Sunday. He completely let a DT go through the line untouched between him and McClure... he went on to help double-team with McClure, but the DT had the easy sack.

Dahl is our worse lineman and most over-rated guard in the NFL.

I'm not defending Baker either - I think our entire line is just average at best.

[slamee101]

Kind or related: On the last play for our offense Sunday when Matt "fumbled" the ball and the Eagles got it...he was noticeably upset and yelling on the sideline. I'm not sure what it was about but I thought to myself if he was frustrated with just the way the day had gone or the lack of protection on that last play.

[sdogg]

How bout asking him to get his Scouts to figure out why our offense is still in 1st gear. Why it has not progressed from 08? Would like to know if they think its OL, WR's, RB's, QB, OC or a combo of all.

[sdogg]

Kind or related: On the last play for our offense Sunday when Matt "fumbled" the ball and the Eagles got it...he was noticeably upset and yelling on the sideline. I'm not sure what it was about but I thought to myself if he was frustrated with just the way the day had gone or the lack of protection on that last play.

I think he was angry of getting hit all day...but mostly for Baker not allowing us to even get a shot of a comeback on that last play. I see Baker getting benched real soon...and he should, or Ryan will not last.

[dmite]

Kind or related: On the last play for our offense Sunday when Matt "fumbled" the ball and the Eagles got it...he was noticeably upset and yelling on the sideline. I'm not sure what it was about but I thought to myself if he was frustrated with just the way the day had gone or the lack of protection on that last play.

I think he was yelling at the refs for calling it a fumble instead of an incomplete pass.

[Rai]

Everyone on the OLine could use upgrading. Baker isn't good. Nor is Blalock. McClure is good but he's getting old. Clabo is probably our 2nd best lineman and Dahl is mediocre. Hopefully Johnson can be a good starting LG... I don't have too high hopes for Hawley though.

[1989Fan]

Everyone on the OLine could use upgrading. Baker isn't good. Nor is Blalock. McClure is good but he's getting old. Clabo is probably our 2nd best lineman and Dahl is mediocre. Hopefully Johnson can be a good starting LG... I don't have too high hopes for Hawley though.

IMO blaylock is good, and our 2nd best OLman.

1) McClure

2) Blaylock

3) Dahl

4) Clabo

5) Baker

now, both Baker and Clabo could be better if moved to LG (baker) and RG (clabo) where they belong.

you cant blow up the line. I see 1 new face next season, and some guys moving around

LT - new name

LG - Baker, Blaylock or Mankins (FA)

OC - McClure

RG - Blaylock or Johnson

RT - Baker or Reynolds.

I think Clabo and Dahl or gone. I wouldnt keep them for starters pay, thats for sure. And OL players always get more than they are worth in the offseason. Dahl will get paid.

I would pay Blaylock before Dahl or Clabo no questions asked.

[FalconPio]

You the man G-Dawg!! Call this sh!t load of a LT out!

[1989Fan]

Baker just cant handle speed in open space.

IMO, his talents are great for LG.

He could work at RT as well, to not have to face the speed rushers, but I think sandwiching him between a good OT and McClure would help him shine. He has technical skill, just isnt enough of an athlete.

[g-dawg]

You the man G-Dawg!! Call this sh!t load of a LT out!

thanks FalconPio and thanks to the rest of you for all the reps....

I just don't understand why I have to drag the media kicking and screaming to this story when its such an obvious flaw and weakness.

I sent a similiar e-mail to D. Orlando Ledbetter. Why doesn't the media cover this angle of the Falcons obvious flaws right now. Don't just write that the Falcons lost and how they lost - any idiot that watches the game can see "what happened". We need some analysis in our media coverage, IMHO.

[Absolute]

Man, maybe his arms ARE too short for left tackle...**** you NFL scouts! LOL! Let's try him at Guard. It worked for Robert Gallery and Leonard Davis.

[Absolute]

g-dawg, I am not a fan of DOL because he rarely writes anything worth a ****.

[ghostofdonkey]

You know Matt's seeing it, which is why he's like a jackrabbit in the pocket.

More excuse-making for the golden boy under center. Elite QB keep making plays no matter the situation. Matt "death by a thousand 10yrd hook routes" Ryan needs perfect protection and for Turner to go bananas before he can play effectively. Even then it's borderline pathetic, the offensive problems begin and end with the robot in the pocket.