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Thread: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

  1. #1
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    Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    Yes, yes, yes... I know... This subject has been beaten fairly thouroughly. BUT the news is slow, and I saw this article... Personally, I like Baker. If he has mastered the routes and put on a few pounds, the speed issue isn't as great as the injury issue with Reid. I will admit it, I have given up on Reid already, and don't wish to look back. Besides, I always thought Baker had the potential to be a difference maker on this squad...
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    Reid, Baker Battling for One Spot
    Posted Jun 25th 2008 11:06PM by JJ Cooper
    Filed under: Steelers, AFC North, Pittsburgh

    With Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes set as the Steelers starters and Nate Washington and Limas Sweed set as the team's No. 3 and No. 4 receivers, one of the toughest battles during training camp will be for the fifth and likely final wide receiver spot.

    A lot of times jobs are said to be wide open, but in reality, there's a clear favorite who has to lose the job. In this case, it's hard to say who's the favorite. The case for Reid is that he's (supposed to be) a quality returner. And his speed and shiftiness makes him potentially useful as a slot receiver who can work underneath and turn little screens into decent gains.

    On the downside, Reid has looked overwhelmed by the pro game. A great college punt returner, he's struggled with injuries and fumbles as a pro.

    Baker has the size (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) to be a red zone target, and he has a history of getting better as he gets acclimated to a new level of competition. He made significant improvement during his time at Florida, peaking as a senior.

    But on the other hand, Baker has less than blazing speed, which leads to concerns about how well he'll get open. And he was cut last year, so Baker clearly has something to prove.

    Apparently both of them are playing pretty well this offseason, at least according to Ben Roethlisberger.


    "Through the OTA (practices), and it is without pads, I've been really impressed with Willie Reid and Dallas Baker," Roethlisberger said recently, "two guys that really stepped up and opened a lot of eyes."

    What determines who makes the team may have little to do with who catches more balls in the preseason. If the Steelers feel comfortable using Holmes as Mewelde Moore's backup at punt returner, then Reid's chances to make the team slip. But if injury fears keep Holmes from returning punts, Reid's chances to make the team jump, largely because there aren't many other decent options at punt returner.

    But if he's not returning punts, Reid will have to prove that a guy who was mainly a return specialist in college is capable of being just a receiver. That may be a tall order, especially since he's competing against a guy who is a more natural receiver.

  2. #2
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    Re: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    Reid will surprise in camp. Not saying he makes the team, but he will show he belongs and will immediately get picked up by another team if we cut him. Just can't get that Mike Vrabel feeling out of the back of my head.
    "My team, may they always be right, but right or wrong...MY TEAM!"

  3. #3
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    Re: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    Quote Originally Posted by Oviedo
    Reid will surprise in camp. Not saying he makes the team, but he will show he belongs and will immediately get picked up by another team if we cut him. Just can't get that Mike Vrabel feeling out of the back of my head.
    I am sick on an annual basis over Vrabel as well...

    I really don't doubt that Reid will suprise in camp. Actually, hasn't he had a few very good camps?... It's the whole injury thing with me. Man, if I didn't know better, I'd think he went to the Duce Staley school of regular season participation practices.

  4. #4
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    Re: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    Quote Originally Posted by NKySteeler
    Quote Originally Posted by Oviedo
    Reid will surprise in camp. Not saying he makes the team, but he will show he belongs and will immediately get picked up by another team if we cut him. Just can't get that Mike Vrabel feeling out of the back of my head.
    I am sick on an annual basis over Vrabel as well...

    I really don't doubt that Reid will suprise in camp. Actually, hasn't he had a few very good camps?... It's the whole injury thing with me. Man, if I didn't know better, I'd think he went to the Duce Staley school of regular season participation practices.
    Think about it. We got rid of Vrabel and kept Haggens. What a great deal that was.
    "My team, may they always be right, but right or wrong...MY TEAM!"

  5. #5
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    Re: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    Quote Originally Posted by Oviedo
    Think about it. We got rid of Vrabel and kept Haggens. What a great deal that was.
    What's worse is that I work with Vrabels' cousin (a Steeler fan) every so often, and apparently he talks quite a bit about his time in Pgh with alot of fondness...

  6. #6
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    Re: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    I think if Baker continues to improve then he should be our man. What confuses me is Reid was thought to be the next coming of Ward last camp with his toughness and that. WTF happened to that junk? Where was it during the season? What I really am waiting to hear from minicamps and training camps (I never thought I would say this) is for some Olineman the surprise/raise some eyes!
    ours is not to wonder why just invert and multiply...

  7. #7
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    Re: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    Blazing speed compared to Reid. Baker isn't a blazer but he isn't slow. He timed 4.47(Best), 4.53, & 4.62(Worst) at the Combine & Pro day. He has Burress speed...Not Holmes. If he could get seperation, run good routes, and catch...He has enough speed to play at this level. It will be interesting to watch how this plays out.

  8. #8
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    Re: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    If they both have an outstanding camp I could see Nate getting the heave-ho.
    http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...ion1/sn1-1.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...ns_44958-1.jpg
    South End Zone...Screaming My Head Off...Every Game! 111 consecutive and counting.

  9. #9
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    Re: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    Quote Originally Posted by SteelerNation1
    If they both have an outstanding camp I could see Nate getting the heave-ho.
    ...Now that would REALLY suprise me...

  10. #10
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    Re: Reid, Baker Battling For One Spot.

    Quote Originally Posted by NKySteeler
    Quote Originally Posted by SteelerNation1
    If they both have an outstanding camp I could see Nate getting the heave-ho.
    ...Now that would REALLY suprise me...
    Yeah, prob wouldn't happen, but he is gone in 09. (UFA)
    http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...ion1/sn1-1.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...ns_44958-1.jpg
    South End Zone...Screaming My Head Off...Every Game! 111 consecutive and counting.

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