Budda Baker going from understudy to a critical part of the defense

Arizona Cardinals rookie safety Budda Baker has been studying the veterans and leaders of the team. Now, it’s time to put it all to the test.

Baker is slated to make his first start on defense when the team travels to play the Houston Texans this Sunday. The second-round selection will be playing in place of Tyvon Branch, who was placed on IR because of a torn ACL that occurred during the team’s loss to Seattle in Week 10.

Baker anticipates he will have to be prepared for everything come Sunday, and does not expect to be put on training wheels to say the least.

“My role is Tyvon Branch’s role,” Baker said on the Big Red Rage on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station Thursday. “Depending on the formations and whatever call we’re in and all that type of stuff. That will either put me in the box or back deep or play in a half.  I’ll be doing everything.” 

Baker getting his first start late in the season doesn’t speak to him not performing to expectations. Instead, it’s the strong play from his teammates ahead of him. Safeties Tyrann Mathieu, Antoine Bethea and Branch have gotten the majority of the playing time.

Baker had two choices.

He could have gotten frustrated that he wasn’t getting the playing time other high-drafted players were receiving or make the most of his opportunity and learn from the veterans in front of him. He chose the latter.

“I sit next to Tyvon and AB (Bethea) during meetings and just try to learn everything that they been doing,” Baker said. “I believe they have been in the league eight years plus so by this being my first year learning from those guys. I could get a lot of learning from them.”

In college, Baker was a consensus All-American in 2016 and was also a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection at Washington. Last week, he got his number called and led the team with tackles with nine and a pass defended.

For most rookies, it could be a nerve-racking situation being thrown into a defense that features cornerback Patrick Peterson, linebacker Chandler Jones and playing alongside Mathieu. To step in and fill in the shoes of Branch, who was leading the team in tackles, could be a daunting task, but Baker remains confident.

“Really what gives me confidence is the preparation throughout the week,” Baker said. “All the preparation that we do on defense that’s what helps me a lot.  So in the games, I know this formation and that formation and what could be happening.”

Baker has played the understudy for the majority of this season and has studied not only the safeties in front of him but the entire team. Come Sunday, the safety will show everything he has learned.

“Seeing all these guys and seeing what they have done, seeing their weeks in preparation and how they went on their days and how they practiced, that helped me a lot being a rookie,” Baker said.

The Cardinals travel to play the Texans in Houston on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. You can catch the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.