The official NFL Pro Bowl rosters have come out. The Arizona Cardinals have one player that was selected to the Pro Bowl.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️@Buddabaker3 will be repping the #BirdGang at the Pro Bowl for the 6th time! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/CZMP5Njsc6
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 4, 2024
This is Budda Baker’s sixth Pro Bowl selection. He became the ninth Arizona Cardinal with at least six Pro Bowl selections.
Baker joined Larry Fitzgerald, Larry Wilson, Patrick Peterson, Roger Wehrli, Ollie Matson, Dan Dierdorf, Aeneas Williams, and Ken Gray on that illustrious list but did he deserve his sixth Pro Bowl selection?
Baker’s Impact?
Usually when a defensive unit has the rankings that the Cardinals have, none of their players are selected to go to the Pro Bowl. Arizona has allowed 27.1 points per game so far this year, which is the second most in the NFL.
They have struggled against both the run and the pass this season. The Cardinals have found themselves trailing in most games so teams are running against them more than passing.
Opposing teams have attempted 478 passes against the Cardinals which is 31st in the NFL. The only team with less passing attempts against them is the Carolina Panthers.
Even with the limited amount of passing attempts against them, the Cardinals have still given up 3,424 passing yards which is 20th in the NFL. Teams are averaging 6.7 yards per pass attempt against Arizona. That is tied for third most in the NFL.
The play against the run numbers are just as ugly. if not uglier. The Cardinals have given up 2,296 rushing yards so far this season, which is the most in the NFL.
Teams have run 496 times against the Cardinals, which is tied for the most in the league with the New York Jets. The Jets have given up 276 less rushing yards than Arizona.
Now, all of these bad numbers are not Baker’s fault, especially with him missing five games this season but Baker’s impact has not been as big as in year’s past.
The Oven Was Not Hot Enough To Bake
Baker has zero interceptions and zero passes defended but he has been a great tackler this season with 50 solo tackles and 77 combined tackles.
Baker was selected over Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Antoine Winfield Jr, who has more interceptions, passes defended, forced fumbles, solo tackles and total tackles than Baker.
Winfield should of been picked for the Pro Bowl over Baker. Baker is a fantastic player who will be great for years to come but this year was not a Pro Bowl worthy season from him.
