Edwin Baker Enters NFL Draft
by Pete Rossman on Jan 6, 2012 8:38 PM CST
in Michigan State Spartans Football
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File this under "news that was somewhat surprising but logical" -- Edwin Baker has announced that he will enter the NFL draft, foregoing his senior season. Baker told the Associated Press today that he would leave Michigan State early. He was first team All-Big Ten in 2010, running for 1,201 yards and 13 touchdowns on 207 attempts. This year he was less effective with a mostly green offensive line, as he ran for 665 yards and five scores on 170 attempts. Le'Veon Bell took over as the feature back about halfway into the year; and that may (speculation for the win) have factored into Baker's decision to leave.
I haven't seen anything about Baker's potential draft position, mainly because few expected him to come out this year. I think it goes without saying that he probably won't be drafted in the first couple rounds. He did show a lot of talent in 2010 however, and with the right offensive line I could see him earning a spot on an NFL team. We wish him the best of luck, and thanks for all the ass-kicking runs.
As for Michigan State next year, Baker's departure hopefully won't leave too much of a mark. Le'Veon Bell will definitely receive the majority of carries next season, and Larry Caper and Nick Hill will provide a nice change of pace. It might not quite be Ringer and Caulcrick part two, but it should be somewhat similar.
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Whoa!
Before this season, I thought this was a strong possibility, but not so much afterwards. Baker has really good speed & is strong, but obviously the bad case of fumblitis he suffered from mid-season cost him carries & it seemed confidence.
I hope this works out for him & wish him the best, apparently he has a child so that must have factored into his decision.
As far as next season, we obviously have Le’Veon Bell, and perhaps Larry Caper will elevate his game to more than a third down back. This surely opens up opportunities for Nick Hill to finally get carries & show off that speed. Plus, we have Tompkins from GA coming in, and I’ve read that incoming frosh MacGarrett Kings, Jr., is being looked at as someone who can line up at RB as well as WR.
Child not a factor according to Rexrode
“Just got off phone with Edwin Baker. Said his son, 1-year-old Edwin Jr., was not a primary factor in the decision. “I just feel I’m ready.”"
Yeah I just saw that
was about to show back up & say, “color me wrong!”
Again I hope this works out. Baker kind of always reminded me of Sedrick Irvin, who also went pro after his junior season in a bit of a head scratcher. In fact, I just looked up Sedrick, his soph season stats very close to Baker’s – 1211 yds & 9 tds to Baker’s 1200 & 13. But Sedrick followed that up with 1,167 & 10 as a junior (plus a helluva TD catch on a fake FG vs. U-M in the Woodson game).
Good luck, Edwin
I hope this works out but it seems like a really rash move. He was probably worried about PT next year and figured this is his best chance.
Still, his YPC was weak this year. He really needs to have amazing workouts or he might end up in a regretful situation.
You see the Narduzzi news?
Halle-freaking-lujah. I wouldn’t have been able to handle him leaving, too.
by MSUDersh on Jan 6, 2012 8:59 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I may be in the minority
But I don’t think it’s an awful decision. I’m not sure one more year of backing up Bell was going to do anything for his draft stock.
"And how much are intangibles worth? 10%? 20%?" - kj@theonlycolors
Exactly.
Running backs have a limited shelf life, mostly based on the cumulative # of carries they get over their careers. Baker might have improved some of his skills over his senior year, but his raw talent isn’t gonna increase.
He’s reportedly the fastest guy on the team, and is obviously very strong. If he does well at the combine, he’s got a chance to be a late rounder.
https://twitter.com/#!/SpartanKC
Wow this really surprised me
I doubt he’ll make the first 5 rounds, wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t drafted at all, but someone will pick him up for sure. I wish the best of luck to him and his family.
Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand - Kurt Vonnegut
Could be a Steal
All depends on his 40 time. If he runs in the 4.3’s I think he could go anywhere from 2-4. If he has a bad 40 he may not get drafted. I agree with the log jam at running back it is kind of a smart decision.
I would love to see the Lions take him if he falls into the 4th rd or lower god knows they need RB’s who can stay healthy.
Congrats on the win
from a Boise State fan, was one of the more exciting games to watch. im really looking forward to the season opener next year. Win or lose it should be a very good game.
Good luck to him
Nor sure this is the right decision for him. I’ve heard Dantonio advised him to come back, which leads me to believe he also thought was the right decision, given that he advised Jerel to go pro given how he was graded out.
Schadenfreude ist die schoenste Freude
Probably not a good decision
I’m generally of the opinion that it’s not worth leaving early unless you’re going to be a 1st round draft pick. I think he’d be better off with another year of school and a degree in something to fall back on. The odds of him carving out a professional career that will earn him enough money to never need to work for a living are rather slim. Even if he catches on with a team, running backs don’t last long in the NFL. After his rookie contract (4 years?) he’s liable to be unemployed, and the rookie contract for 5th or 6th round pick isn’t enough to retire on.
All that being said, I wish the best for him. Life is all about choices and the choice is his.
Rexrode had good comments about this on his Hey! Joe blog
This is clipped from http://noise.typepad.com/.m/hey_joe/2012/01/edwin-baker-to-the-nfl.html, and is Rexrode is 1st person:
“Edwin Baker just told me he’s leaving for the NFL because “I feel I’m ready.” He has not yet hired an agent but he has informed his coaches and teammates.
Basically, Baker said, he’s concerned about a possible injury as a senior, and about what kind of season he’d have as a senior. There’s no doubt that Le’Veon Bell ended the season as the No. 1 back.
“I love Michigan State and I love Le’Veon Bell,” Baker said. “He’s gonna do great things there. I just feel like it’s time for a new chapter in my life.”
Baker does have a 1-year-old son, Edwin Baker Jr., who lives in the Detroit area with his mother. But Baker said that was not a determining factor, that his family and the mother’s family help take good care of his son.
Baker did not get feedback from the NFL advisory committee, he just declared. I’ve long thought he has NFL potential, but I don’t know how this will work out for him. But how would he improve his stock next season at 8-10 carries a game? The other option would be to transfer, but if you transfer to a lower level where you can play right away, you’re not proving much against lesser competition. It was a tough spot.
So now it’s Bell, Caper, Hill next season for MSU at running back, with freshman Nick Tompkins perhaps getting more of an early look. Still a great situation at that position, but Baker was the one guy on the roster who could go 80 yards at any moment. Which is why I thought he could be a pro. Maybe he can."
by MSUDersh on Jan 6, 2012 10:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I actually think this makes some sense for him
As others have said above, at best he was looking at a 50/50 split in carries again next year. Granted it hopefully would be a season behind a more experienced and improved offensive line, but split carries nonetheless. Combine that with injury risk and I think it makes some sense.
Plus, other than Trent Richardson I can’t think of a top shelf upperclassman running back that is for sure coming out in the draft. The guy from K-state I guess, but I can’t even remember his name right now.
If baker feels his measurables will help him in the combine I can see why he would go this route.
It's hard to project RBs anymore
Only the standouts get considered in the first 2-3 rounds these days. But it seems rash. I wouldn’t draft Edwin Baker unless he had shown more as a receiver. That’s a next-level must he could have worked on this upcoming year.
Don't Mind
He’s got the talent and unfortunately we didn’t have the O-Line he needs and Bell is stronger so naturally he got the carries. Bell has been great, and I feel like Caper really got shafted by his emergence as well as Baker’s skills. I think all three of them could start at most programs, so I doubt Baker will impact us much by leaving.
Good luck, I think he could be a very solid backup on an NFL team.
Damn
Was looking forward to Rock shredding Michigan’s D for a 3rd straight year. He was a beast against them and that will be my lasting memory of him. He was in a tough spot and I can’t fault him for chasing his dream in this situation.
"It was worth it. Every needle, every dose of medicine that I've taken. That's why you play the game. A chance to be on a Final Four team, a chance to win championships." Delvon Roe
by Ducking Delvon on Jan 7, 2012 10:02 AM CST via iPhone app reply actions
Great Decision...maybe
In my franchise fantasy football league I took a flyer on him with my last pick, (we take 2 college players, my first being Blackmon!!!) and thought that at the beginning of the year he would leave b/c of the progress of Le’Veon stealing his carries in his senior year.
It seems as that will be a problem for him as it started the 2nd half of his junior year. I think back to all the quality RBs that were buried on depth charts in college that were 4th and 5th round picks that end up being quality NFL backs and hope its true for Edwin too.
Best of luck to him and hope he is VERY successful in the NFL because I think even that will help MSU in the long run, lots of good pros from MSU will help recruiting.
by WorldSeriesTiger on Jan 7, 2012 10:19 AM CST reply actions
I've got to agree with those who think he should've stayed.
Obviously, there are a lot of factors we cant see as back seat drivers here, but I think there is a substantial chance he does not get drafted at all and I’m not sure a rookie contract, even from a 3rd or 4th round pick, is enough to outweigh getting a bachelor’s degree. Especially since all of that is assuming he won’t improve his draft stock next year. I know he is behind Bell, but he was still the clear second option. If he cleans up his fumbling and is running with a new starter at QB (meaning we will run a lot) and an experienced offensive line, I have to think he’ll improve his NFL outlook.
Bell Needs More Carries
I seriously Bell should get the extra carries anyway. Over a 60 minute game he will punish defenses next year with 20+ Carries. Caper will still be the 3rd down back and mix in Nick Hill to spell Bell and we’ll be fine.
I wish Baker the best
He had some great games. He was not going to be the feature back and good opportunity for Caper.
Of Course He Should
CBS Sportsline shows 145 RB’s in the NFL with at least one carry, and 226 more that were on an NFL roster at some point.
So his options are
1. Get really lucky and get drafted in rounds 2, 3 or 4
2. Get moderately lucky and get drafted later
3. Don’t get drafted and either work your way on at camp, or get picked up before week 3 due to injuries.
Rookie League Minimum = $285,000 – that will cover the remainder of his college credits if he wants to go back.
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