DeAndre Baker is improving

granted he wasn't covering Michael Thomas, but you have to play the teams on the schedule.

PFF NY Giants
@PFF_Giants
·
Dec 10
DeAndre Baker recorded an 87.6 overall grade last night against the Eagles.

Baker had 3 pass-breakups on 5 targets and allowed just 1 catch for 7 yards.

You love to see it

anyone worth mentioning...
Not to poo poo on him or the op, just the facts

upped his game. While I don't support the current coaching staff, people on here every day say players aren't improving and the young guys aren't being developed.

If you're going to point out the negatives you have to acknowledge the other side.

but he does seem to have coverage instincts, so I think he's got more of a shot to workout than Apple did even though he was a higher level athlete.

Things like this are simply charting the games and a good sign for Baker and the Giants.

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In this same time period, QB’s targeting Baker are completing just 26.3% of their passes, the lowest percentage targeting any CB

Also demonstrates that he is improving and isn't just benefiting from QBs abusing Ballentine or Beal.

anyone who expected him to come out and play great just doesnt know the game. CB is probably the second hardest position to adjust to in the NFL.
Those who are realistic knew it would take time, the kid will be fine.

it's obvious watching him, he just has to continue to clean up the mental errors that catch flags, or miss a tackle he should make routinely.

Which doesn't negate his mistakes nor his occasional lack of hustle.

He was GREAT in the SEC for over two years straight, had ridiculous stats and accomplishments there. Was voted the top DB in college FB in 2018...

His ability to mirror is about as good as it gets... He isn't shy about defending the run - usually.

He hurt a knee during training camp, and came back pretty quickly.

He doesn't sound like the sharpest tool in the shed, and IIRC his wonderlic confirmed that.

He has tools to be a very good CB, maybe even a shut down one. He needs to get stronger to play his game effectively at this level.

Lets be patient a bit before we call him this or that, but improvement, if he avoided re-injuring his knee, was bound to occur.

doesnt have to cover Amari Cooper he's fine

the entire 2019 draft class have had very good rookie season. Lawrence has dropped off a little but I'm not worried.

Jones/Baker/Lawrence
Love
Connelly
Ballentine
Slayton
Beal (sort of)

I mean, all these guys may be 5 or 6 of these guys are starters next year. You can't ask for much more.

He allowed a late TD to Parker but he actually had good coverage and made a play on the ball, just Parker made a better play and secured it.

Parker's first TD was when he was lined up in the slot and beat Ballentine up the field.

But for the most part, Baker was on Parker and held him in check. Parker, fwiw, is a really good player who has had some big games recently.

Another thing I watched in this game was Baker's tackling. He came up and made some big tackles and was a sure tackle. No business decisions from what I saw.

People really should be encouraged by his play, he really is starting to look like a #1 corner.

In comment 14725289 allstarjim said:

Quote:

He allowed a late TD to Parker but he actually had good coverage and made a play on the ball, just Parker made a better play and secured it. Parker's first TD was when he was lined up in the slot and beat Ballentine up the field. But for the most part, Baker was on Parker and held him in check. Parker, fwiw, is a really good player who has had some big games recently. Another thing I watched in this game was Baker's tackling. He came up and made some big tackles and was a sure tackle. No business decisions from what I saw. People really should be encouraged by his play, he really is starting to look like a #1 corner.

This. DeVonte Parker is a hell of a player, and Baker battled him all day. He has struggled, but CB is a tough position for rookies to play. I like what I've seen the past couple of weeks.

from the torches and pitchforks crowd on this thread.

At least none that I recognize.

in the 2nd half of the year. God awful start to his Giants career, gotta credit the kid for improvement, and to think he's only a rookie. I like what I see from this kid, ceiling is very high as a legitimate shutdown corner, if not a very good one worthy of where he was selected.

are attacking and exposing even more suckass defenders.

a good part of camp. We need him to at least be a solid starter but he has upside to be very good.

I think if they can address the edge rush and add a good cover LB the whole secondary will benefit.

In comment 14725301 BlueLou'sBack said:

Quote:

from the torches and pitchforks crowd on this thread. At least none that I recognize.

They don't like positive news about the Giants so they tend to stay away from these threads.

and DG has done a great job. But don't say that or the In Reese we Trust crowd will start crying again. But if you play a lot of rookies in the NFL you are going to lose no matter how good the draft class is. Remember the crowd that is complaining also wanted to draft Rosen Darnold and Haskins last year. DG has done the better job. The whiners just don't like it and prefer to whine.

Love seems to have a ton of speed and nose for the ball/carrier.

that preemptively derides fellow Giants fans for daring to question your need of good news or PFF the bastion of quality. The secondary, which he is a part, was awful all season and Baker was very much a factor. So forgive us for not being all accepting of a player who can't make plays, yet. When he becomes serviceable then we can be more happy. We all remain hopeful that he gets his stuff together and plays like a formidable corner for the rest of his Giants career.

Merry Christmas.

The young kids in the DB backfield and the DL are making big strides. There are definitely green shoots starting here.

it does confirm what most of us have been noticing in recent games.

The last few games the young defensive backs seem to be in a position to make plays

They look like they belong

One thing they have to improve is their tackling
Early in the Miami game they were allowing to much yardage after contact

To their credit this tightened up as the game went on
This was good to see

In comment 14725333 ZogZerg said:

Quote:

In comment 14725301 BlueLou'sBack said: Quote: from the torches and pitchforks crowd on this thread. At least none that I recognize. They don't like positive news about the Giants so they tend to stay away from these threads.

How would you identify a naysayer in this thread? If someone who was critical of Baker before acknowledged he was playing well now, is that a naysayer, or someone changing their opinion based on changes in circumstances?

Or are you just looking for people to post "he still sucks" to qualify as a naysayer?

In comment 14725253 Sec 103 said:

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anyone worth mentioning... Not to poo poo on him or the op, just the facts

Devante Parker is no bum.

improvement..in Beal as well

I think we all have noticed this upward trend but these numbers support what we have been seeing. Tough test this week if the Redskins star rookie WR is opposite him for many of the plays.

And I like the 2019 draft. I think if his cluster drafting for secondary position pays off (Baker, Love, Ballentine), than it puts the defense in a decent position to be average or above-average the following season with the addition of edge-rushers.

However, I see posters are still in the habit of calling both of his drafts outstanding. The 2018 draft looks to be mediocre at best thus far, considering the draft position they had for each round.

Ultimately, DG's 2019 offseason appears to be better than his 2018, but I don't think that this alone will save him if the Giants want someone like Rhule who could demand control. For me, the bad 2018 offseason, the overall bad FA signings, and the LW trade negate some of the good from the 2019 draft.

That dog Jenkins was let go... Couldn't stand to watch him any longer. There's no way in my mind he was having a positive effect on guys like Baker. I suspect quite the opposite.

better the last few weeks.

Baker is not afraid to stick his nose in to make a tackle, either.

Effort vs. Jets, but he's played well lately. Keep it going.

I didn’t like his technique on the Parker TD, but hopefully he’ll learn from it.

Especially v the Cardinals so I’m one of the naysayers. I’ve also noticed his recent improvement and am happy to see it.

and not their feelings would understand that transitioning from college to the NFL is a very different experience for different players. That is why you usually cannot grade drafted players until after three seasons.

People are already trying to dump on last seasons draft class because they haven't taken the next step we all expected, while also seeing Dalvin Tomlinson finally come into his own in year 3.

It's always been mental with Baker. Hopefully he's starting to get it.