Defensive pair will represent Arizona Cardinals in Pro Bowl
By Jim Koch
Defensive starters Chandler Jones and Budda Baker are the Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl representatives for the 2019 campaign
The biggest disappointment for the 2019 Arizona Cardinals has been their defensive unit. Coordinator Vance Joseph‘s crew is ranked dead-last in the NFL after 14 contests. Week after week, the opposition’s offenses have run roughshod over the Cards overmatched contingent of defenders.
It hasn’t been all bad for the Cardinals on that side of the ball, however. Two members of the defense, Chandler Jones and Budda Baker, will be representing the organization in next month’s Pro Bowl. Many fans feel that Jordan Hicks should also be joining his teammates, but the inside linebacker was snubbed by the voters instead.
Jones, who was acquired by Arizona back in 2016, has been selected to the all-star game for the third time in his eight professional campaigns. The 29-year old made the trip once as a member of the New England Patriots, and two times since he landed with the Cards. Jones has racked up 15 sacks, 45 tackles and six forced fumbles in 14 starts for Big Red this year.
Baker will be representing the Cardinals in the contest for the second time since he entered the league in 2017. The safety has recorded 125 tackles and six passes defensed in 14 appearances this season. As a rookie back in ’17, Baker’s spectacular special teams contributions earned him a spot on the NFC’s Pro Bowl squad.
There are many observers who feel that Hicks should be heading to Orlando, Florida as well. Hicks has been absolutely outstanding for the Cards after signing a four-year, $36 million contract back in March. The fifth-year pro has tallied 131 tackles, three interceptions, six pass breakups and 1.5 sacks for his new team.
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All in all, it’s been an awful several months for the Redbirds. There have been very few positives to take out of Arizona’s 4-9-1 campaign. However, the honor bestowed upon Jones and Baker is certainly something that the franchise can be proud of.