Arizona Cardinals Budda Baker shows he’s a star
By Scott Allen
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker was one of two players representing the team at the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl
In the end its a game that means nothing as far as standings. For Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker though it should mean so much more personally.
On Sunday, in the NFC’s 38-33 defeat to the hands of the AFC Pro Bowlers, Baker showed why he belongs among today’s stars. He intercepted AFC and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the end zone.
He returned the ball to the NFC 10 where the team proceeded to drive down the field in 5 plays, covering a total of 90-yards. It put the NFC on top early 7-0.
We know the star Baker has to potential to be here in Arizona. On Sunday, he showcased that for the entire league.
Baker had just one tackle on Sunday but in reality this game isn’t about tackling. Anyone watching knows they were barely playing touch football as it was.
Baker was in his second Pro Bowl in three NFL seasons. He is likely to be in many more given the trajectory of his early career so far.
He wasn’t the only one representing the Cardinals in Orlando. Linebacker Chandler Jones was in his third Pro Bowl, his second representing the Cardinals. His first one in 2015 he represented the New England Patriots.
Jones didn’t have any sacks but again, there are few sacks in this game, although there were 5 official sacks between the 2 squads. Jones finished the afternoon with 3 tackles.
Amazingly for a team known much more so for its offense than its struggling defense, it was defensive players that were on showcase. It does go to show just maybe the Cardinals aren’t that far away from putting it together.
They have work to do but building a future on defense around Baker and Jones is a great place to start. This won’t be the last Pro Bowl for either player.