DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Baker Comparisons 3

Rishuz, I think you are being a tad critical of Baker. Even the great QB’s miss easy passes.

The true test will be when he needs to put the team on his back.

The previous thread was locked while I typed this in response to mgh's last post in the previous thread.


To add:

I noted in the Post Game thread the fact that in Baker's last game NOT played in hurricane winds or a non-stop downpour he threw 22 straight completions to end the game...with a W.

I've re-watched the Eagles game a few times and kept coming away thinking about Baker's completion/attempts for that game...12/20 but something just seemed odd to me. So...the last time I watched it, I started making notes focused on the (10) passes that were NOT completed. FWIW, I've always discounted completion-percentage as a tool for measuring-accuracy. Here goes:

1st pass incomplete to Njoku that hit him squarely in the hands for a drop. Shocker. Baker didn't throw his way again;

2nd incomplete Baker was flushed right. Lots of time to throw...on the run he threw low (on purpose) to Hodge who was tightly-covered/draped;

3rd incompletion was the awful overthrow to Hooper in the end zone. He simply missed that throw. On the play before that, he under threw Bryant, but drew the PI...so no incompletion...but I consider it # 2b. (FWIW, the clueless talking heads at halftime claim that Baker left 12 points on the board there...uh...it was the SAME drive...not to mention the two running plays that also didn't get into the endzone...and one guy tried to blame Baker's 'lack of pre-game focus' for the misses. The Baker hate is alive and well.);

#4 was a throw away...the announcers mentioned that coverage was excellent;

#5 was the throw to Higgins where Higgins was mugged before the ball got to him. How that wasn't PI is a mystery;

#6 was a spike to stop the clock;

#7 was a clear drop by Hooper;

#8 was a throwaway long and wide as the clock expired.

HALFTIME - (8) incompetions in the first half...two drops...four throwaways+spike...one BS, PI non-call...one poorly-thrown ball (officially...but really 2). So Baker "missed" one throw in the non-stop downpour in the first half...I say two with the second being unofficial. He really needs to tighten up his pre-game focus.

Baker will "miss" two throws in the second half. Here they are:

50 yard overthrow to Hodge...looked like a miscommunication as Hodge stopped/slowed somewhere on the route...Baker "overthrew" him by 10 yards or so;

Last incompletion was a throwaway as Baker was under quick pressure.

There's your (10)...of the (10)...ONE was a poorly thrown ball...an important one no doubt...the rain didn't seem to affect the other nine incompletions...he just missed one (call it two) there. 22 official passes in the non-stop, pouring rain and ONE was poor...we need to draft his replacement asap.

Darn right ! Going 22 for 22 against Cincinnati was not enough... more of a fluke than good QB play.

In fairness to Rishuz, one great game isn’t enough to judge him on. In the past he has had opportunities to put away opponents and didn’t do it. I would feel more comfortable with him long term if he can takeover a few more games.

The true test will be when he needs to put the team on his back.

The true test will be when he needs to put the team on his back.

The true test will be when he needs to put the team on his back.

Pdawg, I agree 1 game isn't enough. I'm on record as wanting to see Baker improve and to be more consistent..... but this sentence is entirely singular in nature, there is no implication of multiple game samples being needed.

Yeah I thought that was implied.

But even common sense gets a certain segment triggered.

I think I get what you're saying. I do think it's worth noting however that at least in regards to Willie's breakdown that no one asserted that Baker showed any issues with making the correct reads or making good decisions.

Lmao...like I said before, you could talk yourself into being poor thirty minutes after hitting power ball.

Been thinking lately that Baker reminds me somewhat of Doug Flutie. Bake has a stronger arm but Doug was much more nimble. Both may not put up great numbers every game, but they have a knack for winning.

Just a thought.

Agree 100% with your last post...

Bottom line is we still need a larger sample size while still being in the same coaching regime. There's lots more to the big picture ... in no particular order:

- Bengals D was very bad.
- Baker is enjoying a long time to throw - although with the play action passes that take 2 seconds or more to develop, the stats that some like to throw out as a negative are skewed.
- During this bad weather spell - his stats have been decimated but as you mentioned, he's done enough to win.
- During the bad weather spell he's not been under pressure which is one of those areas we all hope to see improvement.
- Games against playoff caliber teams are coming: Titans, Steelers, Ravens.

It's still been a fun ride and 7-3 is enjoyable.

What do you mean by arm talent as opposed to arm strength?