I had some time this morning so reviewed yesterday’s defeat by the Cardinals on the NFL GamePass. My intent was to take a closer look at what was going on with the pass blocking but on defensive snaps, I focused on DeAndre Baker and was genuinely shocked by what I saw.
Baker’s performance yesterday puts Eli Apple’s famous business decision vs the 49ers a couple of seasons ago in the shade. This was an example of total gutlessness and letting down your teammates in the biggest way. I think Parcells would have planted Baker’s ass firmly on the bench in the 2nd quarter and made the next week’s practice very, very unpleasant. Instead, Bettcher and the Shurm let this guy play out the entire game.
Baker a) continually avoided contact, even when the play was to his side; b) was blocked easily; c) stayed away from the play when it was on the other side or midfield. One of the reasons the Giants defense was so ineffective yesterday was that they were pretty much playing with 10 men on the field.
The Cards were running plays to Baker’s side (left) throughout, and enjoyed a lot of success. That’s one of the reasons Kyler threw so few passes. Why air it out when you can gain good ground yardage all the time? A good example is the 3rd Cards TD, a run towards Baker’s side. Posters have been noting Bethea’s bad angle – which is correct – but at the end zone line, Baker is busy being blocked by the WR with nary an effort to break the block and get involved in the play.
Another example: 6:35 left in the 3rd qt, Murray is pressured and scrambles over to Baker’s side. You’d expect a CB covering a short route would be very involved here. Nope. Baker doesn’t even make an effort to participate in the play. He leaves it to his teammates.
Baker made exactly two good plays yesterday, the pass breakup deep in the 1st half, which I thought could have been flagged, and a solid open field tackle in the 4th quarter. Apart from that, his day was abysmal, not because of performance, but because of a sheer lack of effort.
Baker is really concerning me. He’s acting like Deion out there without anything like the results and abilities #21 had. The contrast with the supposed malcontent Janoris Jenkins was stark. Jenkins was repeatedly involved in run support and went after Cards players. Baker looked like he didn’t’ want to be there. The fact that he wasn’t benched shows that a lack of player accountability is part of the Shurmur problem.
Fun times.
LBs invisible all day, it's like the giants play with an entire level of defense missing.
We have a major attitude problem here.
my question is how can you not expect that?
Only gutless people I see are ones who make such damming statements behind a message board, who have no clue what they are talking about.
my question is how can you not expect that?
Only gutless people I see are ones who make such damming statements behind a message board, who have no clue what they are talking about.
Umm, your whole point reeks of what is wrong with this team. If hevisn't full of energy and youthful aggression now then imagine the business decisions coming two years from now. No offense but if you are ok with zero effort then be ok witb bottom feeder results..
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was trying to avoid some heavy contact to avoid a possible injury to start his career?
my question is how can you not expect that?
Only gutless people I see are ones who make such damming statements behind a message board, who have no clue what they are talking about.
Umm, your whole point reeks of what is wrong with this team. If hevisn't full of energy and youthful aggression now then imagine the business decisions coming two years from now. No offense but if you are ok with zero effort then be ok witb bottom feeder results..
I'm ok with letting these guys develop before making rash judgments. I try to look at the overall picture instead of micro analyzing each minute detail week to week.
This. The answer starts and ends with this.
We are running a defensive scheme that doesn't play to the strengths we have.
Why?
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and it’s difficult without the 4...
This. The answer starts and ends with this.
We are running a defensive scheme that doesn't play to the strengths we have.
Why?
Ok say the Giants ran a 4-3
Carter-Hill-Lawrence-Golden
?-Ogletree-Mayo
Uh, who are your linebackers? Ximines or Carter are not 43 backers.
If this is true its very concerning.
Jamoris asked Baker (hurt) - "You know what you got to do today?"
Baker - "I ain't got to do shit today"
Jenkins, pointing to his head - "take mental reps, learn"
Not a be all end all, just a red flag, kid was checked out for the day.
I agree with this. Some people make it sound like the team took a fan survey and decided to switch to a 3-4. That decision was made as part of the coaching and GM hires, not in a vacuum.
Sends the message no matter how good you play, it doesn't matter. Where the real message should be draft position goes out the window when you get here.
Jamoris asked Baker (hurt) - "You know what you got to do today?"
Baker - "I ain't got to do shit today"
Jenkins, pointing to his head - "take mental reps, learn"
Not a be all end all, just a red flag, kid was checked out for the day.
What??? That happened?
If so then, uh, yeah... I'd say that's what you'd call a red flag.
my question is how can you not expect that?
Only gutless people I see are ones who make such damming statements behind a message board, who have no clue what they are talking about.
Fuck that.. there have been plenty of smaller corners in the league who do not shy away from contact. He needs to stick his head in there or go sell insurance.
I'm drafting two very fast and good free safeties and maybe that super fast ilb / s (Simmons?) 1,2,3 in the draft. Or 3,2,1 whatever
That will help your roster corners
my question is how can you not expect that?
Only gutless people I see are ones who make such damming statements behind a message board, who have no clue what they are talking about.
What?! Don’t make a tackle or take on a blocker; let the other guys get hurt! That is one tucked up take you have.