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The Cleveland Browns brought in a hometown kid to help their defense, signing linebacker Jerome Baker to a one-year deal.
Baker provides more veteran leadership to a talent-starved linebacker room. The Browns did a good job of filling in the back end of their roster before the draft. Baker is a serviceable starter if Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah cannot play due to injury.
The Browns' defense lost its spine when Owusu-Koramoah exited the lineup last year. The linebackers were a major liability in the run and pass game. The Browns needed to address the room ahead of the NFL draft. Linebacker prospects struggle to quickly adapt to the physicality and speed of the NFL. While the team is expected to draft a linebacker, they won’t need to thrust a rookie into the starting lineup.
The Browns did a good job of acquiring a veteran linebacker. Baker will provide critical depth to a weak and inexperienced group. The Browns deserve a B for the acquisition. Baker won’t be a long-term solution for the Browns. Hopefully, the linebacker will provide veteran leadership to an inexperienced group.
Baker is a stout linebacker, standing at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds. Baker is long in the tooth, entering his eighth season in the league. He isn’t the same athlete he used to be. His game has evolved into a traditional middle linebacker. Baker is better against the run than against the pass. The Browns need a solid run defender on early downs.
Baker should help solidify an inexperienced linebacker group. Baker will fit in well with the Browns' defense. He’ll provide meaningful snaps on early downs while being a mentor for a group of younger linebackers to rely on.
Baker hasn’t been as productive in his most recent seasons. The veteran linebacker has battled injuries over the last few seasons. Last year, Baker played five games with the Seattle Seahawks before being traded to the Tennessee Titans. Baker started three games with the Titans, playing in five total. In 2023, Baker suffered an injury, sidelining him for the final five games.
Baker saw a big drop in his production as he’s struggled to stay on the field. Last season, Baker made 29 stop tackles, 61 total tackles, and two sacks. According to Sports Info Solutions, Baker’s average depth of tackle was 4.9 yards downfield.
Baker has always been a liability in coverage. His age and experience never refined his coverage skills. Last season, Baker gave up 21 receptions for 171 yards on 30 targets. Baker’s best games of football are behind him. He is no longer a hyper-athletic linebacker with pass rush ability. Instead, he’s an experienced linebacker with the strength to contribute against the run.
The Browns deserve a C for finding an experienced veteran, but his lack of production doesn’t inspire hope for next season.
The Browns signed Baker to a one-year agreement. The salary hasn’t been disclosed since the agreement was announced. The Browns likely signed Baker to a humble salary of less than $5 million, probably closer to $3 million. They probably added multiple void years to the contract to save as many dollars as possible. The team did a good job of finding a veteran leader for cheap. The Browns deserve a B for finding an affordable veteran leader.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Grading the Browns signing of LB Jerome Baker in NFL free agency
Continue reading...
Baker provides more veteran leadership to a talent-starved linebacker room. The Browns did a good job of filling in the back end of their roster before the draft. Baker is a serviceable starter if Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah cannot play due to injury.
The Browns' defense lost its spine when Owusu-Koramoah exited the lineup last year. The linebackers were a major liability in the run and pass game. The Browns needed to address the room ahead of the NFL draft. Linebacker prospects struggle to quickly adapt to the physicality and speed of the NFL. While the team is expected to draft a linebacker, they won’t need to thrust a rookie into the starting lineup.
The Browns did a good job of acquiring a veteran linebacker. Baker will provide critical depth to a weak and inexperienced group. The Browns deserve a B for the acquisition. Baker won’t be a long-term solution for the Browns. Hopefully, the linebacker will provide veteran leadership to an inexperienced group.
Fit: B
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Baker is a stout linebacker, standing at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds. Baker is long in the tooth, entering his eighth season in the league. He isn’t the same athlete he used to be. His game has evolved into a traditional middle linebacker. Baker is better against the run than against the pass. The Browns need a solid run defender on early downs.
Baker should help solidify an inexperienced linebacker group. Baker will fit in well with the Browns' defense. He’ll provide meaningful snaps on early downs while being a mentor for a group of younger linebackers to rely on.
Production: C
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Baker hasn’t been as productive in his most recent seasons. The veteran linebacker has battled injuries over the last few seasons. Last year, Baker played five games with the Seattle Seahawks before being traded to the Tennessee Titans. Baker started three games with the Titans, playing in five total. In 2023, Baker suffered an injury, sidelining him for the final five games.
Baker saw a big drop in his production as he’s struggled to stay on the field. Last season, Baker made 29 stop tackles, 61 total tackles, and two sacks. According to Sports Info Solutions, Baker’s average depth of tackle was 4.9 yards downfield.
Baker has always been a liability in coverage. His age and experience never refined his coverage skills. Last season, Baker gave up 21 receptions for 171 yards on 30 targets. Baker’s best games of football are behind him. He is no longer a hyper-athletic linebacker with pass rush ability. Instead, he’s an experienced linebacker with the strength to contribute against the run.
The Browns deserve a C for finding an experienced veteran, but his lack of production doesn’t inspire hope for next season.
Contract: B
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The Browns signed Baker to a one-year agreement. The salary hasn’t been disclosed since the agreement was announced. The Browns likely signed Baker to a humble salary of less than $5 million, probably closer to $3 million. They probably added multiple void years to the contract to save as many dollars as possible. The team did a good job of finding a veteran leader for cheap. The Browns deserve a B for finding an affordable veteran leader.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Grading the Browns signing of LB Jerome Baker in NFL free agency
Continue reading...
