ARIZONA CARDINALS

Budda Baker turning heads after two preseason games with Cardinals

Aug 15, 2017, 12:09 PM
Oakland Raiders running back John Crockett (43) is hit by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36)...

Oakland Raiders running back John Crockett (43) is hit by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LISTEN: James Bettcher, Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator

After two preseason games, 21-year-old Budda Baker has already impressed Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher.

“I love just how he plays the game,” Bettcher told Doug and Wolf on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station. “He plays with passion, energy, flies around, plays with a reckless abandon.”

In his short stint with the Cardinals, Baker has already been compared to fellow safety Tyrann Mathieu. But Bettcher said the 5-foot-10 195-pound Baker reminded him of another member of the Cardinals’ defense.

“(He) reminds me very much so of, very different position, but just how they played the game as rookies is (OLB) Markus Golden,” Bettcher said. “Just played hard and figured everything else out later. That is something I really like about Budda.”

Baker’s aggressive style of play was on display in the first two exhibition games. After head coach Bruce Arians decided to rest all the starters for the Hall of Fame Game played earlier this month, Baker had a golden opportunity to impress.

After missing all of OTAs and minicamp, Baker recorded six total tackles — two solo and four assist — knocked down a pass in coverage and got credited with a QB hit.

In Saturday’s home preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders, he registered five solo tackles and one pass defended.

Baker’s aggressive mindset helped him show up all over the field against the Cowboys and Raiders. But is he too aggressive?

“No, I don’t think there is anything such as too aggressive,” Bettcher said. “I just think you have to have your eyes in the right place and channel your aggression in the right way. I will never tell any of our guys that they are too aggressive. I want them to play hard and play fast and play physical.”

Bettcher told Doug and Wolf he thought Baker played better against the Cowboys and appears to have left a mark on the coaching staff and front office that was already high on him when they moved up nine spots in the draft to take him at 36th overall.

With three more preseason games left, Bettcher said Baker’s performance will decide where he will fit in for the upcoming season.

“There is going to be some great places for him and some packages for him if he continues to progress like he is,” Bettcher said.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) and linebacker Josh Bynes (45) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back John Crockett (43) is hit by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders running back John Crockett (43) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes defends during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquis Bundy (18) is hit by Oakland Raiders defensive back Anthony Cioffi (37) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) scrambles against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, right, greets Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio after an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 20-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, left, talks with Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio prior to an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu warms up prior to the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Brittan Golden (10) pulls in a touchdown pass as Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson and free safety Reggie Nelson (27) defend during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch walks along the sidelines prior to the team's NFL preseason football game agains the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Brittan Golden (10) celebrates his touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is hit by Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James after throwing a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws under pressure from Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James (57) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) carries the ball during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski (11) watches his missed field-goal attempt during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hugs teammate Brittan Golden (10) after Golden scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (87) pulls in a touchdown pass as Oakland Raiders strong safety Karl Joseph (42) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws for a touchdown as Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) closes in during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) An Arizona Cardinals fan cheers during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates a defensive stop with Robert Nkemdiche (90) against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (87) is hit by Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James (57) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Marshawn Lynch talks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio watches during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) is hit by Oakland Raiders middle linebacker Cory James (57) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) carries teh ball as Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski sits on the bench after missing a field-goal attempt against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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