How Much Credit does Brian Baker deserve??

[Dpantherman]

This question might best be answered by those that have seen him in action at practice/training camp (or not...), but I'm curious. I know hes fiery, and hes got his boys on the Defensive line playing.

Granted the presence in the middle is beyond soft, that isn't really his fault. (well I guess you COULD blame him if you wanted, but I don't think its warranted). I think Baker will make a really good Defensive Coordinator for someone some day, I would say it could be here, but I think hes going with Fox.

[Cavscout]

He would make a good DC for Harbaugh here next year

[Double34Trouble28]

He's the only one I'd like to keep.

[MHS831]

I go to OTAs just to watch him. Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy need Baker. He is the best position coach I have ever seen. The DL work harder than everyone else on the field. He is a fiery, in-your-face guy but he seems to do it in a way that the player knows he still believes in him. I would be concerned that he becomes less effective standing above the trenches instead of in them, but I do not know his aspirations or overall defensive knowledge. I have to think, however, that he will be a head coach one day. Good comment.

[bigdog10]

I think he has done a pretty good job, considering what he has to work with. I like the way he coaches, and it looks like our d-line responds well to his style.

He sure has helped to develop C. Johnson into a very good pass rusher. Unfortunately, I would have liked to see E. Brown have a better year, but i don't believe that is Baker's fault at all.

[rayzor]

i like baker as well as all the psotion coaches on defense. all of them have done really well and wouldn't be opposed to them staying. meeks...i'm just not that big a fan of, admittedly mainly based on things Zod and others who have access to the situation have said about his weaknesses as a communicator and fox having to take the defense over.

i think baker is a great motivator and of any guys on this staff that would make a good HC, baker would. he might even be a good one to give the DC job to.

looking at the whole coaching staff, the only ones i really want gone are fox, davidson, meeks, and rip. the rest have done really well over the years. i turst the new HC with getting the right staff around him, though, and would be cool with whatever he did short of keeping those few coaches around.

charles johnson is a beast naturally and the same is true with hardy. i'm not closed to the idea that

[MHS831]

looking at the whole coaching staff, the only ones i really want gone are fox, davidson, meeks, and rip. the rest have done really well over the years.....

charles johnson is a beast naturally and the same is true with hardy.

I was at an OTA where Baker was on CJs case the entire time (2009). CJ could do nothing right. You could tell by his body language that he was pissed. He needs to give part of his contract to Baker.

This year, he had Hardy under his wing. I went to a May OTA, and Hardy was pissed after practice. Baker was on his case. The next time we went, Hardy was flying all over the place. He was even running gunner on the punt team, and looked good. They were not in pads, but he came off the practice field with the underarmor body shirt he was wearing under his jersey ripped nearly off his body. He stopped and talked, and he is a bit different. He said the shirt was ripped by Gross, when they were runnng team drills. He was fired up, and it was June. I asked him how he likes Baker, he said something like, "In college, I was the man. Here, he is the man." I told my kids that he (Hardy) was going to be special. I still think so.

[Baschski]

I do like Baker but I think it's funny how everyone is giving him all of the credit for the positive stuff about the D-line, but somehow he gets absolved of all blame for the bad stuff about it.

[Jackofalltrades]

He's one of several I'd like to keep, I think he's done a fantastic job.

[Dpantherman]

I do like Baker but I think it's funny how everyone is giving him all of the credit for the positive stuff about the D-line, but somehow he gets absolved of all blame for the bad stuff about it.

Consider what hes working with. and who is absolving him of ALL blame?

[PhillyB]

if he'd had a couple decent defensive tackles that could get pressure last night he would've been getting kudos from the announcers all night (if they could get bens ******* out of their mouth long enough.)

hardy and johnson looked like absolute monsters all night, abusing tackles on almost every play. you have to imagine if ben couldn't step up in the pocket on even half those plays he'd be toast.

[Baschski]

Consider what hes working with. and who is absolving him of ALL blame?

Everyone who says "He's the man for making CJ awesome. Brown isn't that good, but I guess that isn't Baker's fault. Oh and our DT's suck, but you can't really blame Baker for that either."

I understand that our talent level at DT is pretty sad, but that's where the position coach comes in--to make them better. Yeah, CJ looks good but CJ it also the most naturally talented guy on the line and the highest draft pick (except for Brown).

[Mr. Scot]

I'd happily keep Baker and Richard Smith on the defensive side of the ball. Be okay with keeping Jeff Rodgers too.

Anybody on the offensive side has an uphill climb to stick around (except Geep Chryst if Harbaugh is hired).

[KSpan]

I'd happily keep Baker and Richard Smith on the defensive side of the ball. Be okay with keeping Jeff Rodgers too.

Anybody on the offensive side has an uphill climb to stick around (except Geep Chryst if Harbaugh is hired).

Agreed, with the exception of Jim Skipper. They could definitely put some time in on ball security after this year, but I can't really argue with the RB results. At worst, he isn't stifling the natural talent, and at best he has played a large role in developing a roster full of playmakers and blockers (Fiammetta has come a LONG way this year).