Movin’ in as a starter
Rookie LB Jerome Baker has never listened to those who question him
DAVIE It doesn’t bother Jerome Baker one bit to hear that he’s too small, or needs to put on weight.
At this point, it goes in one and out the other.
“Every level I’ve played on since I was a little kid, from high school to college and now in the NFL,” Baker said Tuesday when asked how often his size is mentioned. “On every level they say I’m too small and I still go out there and do my job.”
This month, Baker’s done that job so well the former Ohio State standout became the first Miami Dolphins rookie officially named a starter for the Sept. 9 season-opener against the Tennessee Titans.
Coach Adam Gase labeled Baker as the team’s starting outside linebacker, acknowledging that the Dolphins’ 2018 thirdround pick beat out Stephone Anthony and Chase Allen to become the starter who accompaear nies Kiko Alonso and Raekwon McMillan in Miami’s base defense.
“Baker’s our starter until we
say so,” Gase said about the linebacker, who leads the team with 15 tackles in the exhibition season heading into Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons.
One of Miami’s major concerns about Baker is his ability to take on and shed blocks, like the one Carolina used on him to produce Christian McCaffrey’s 71-yard touchdown run, which is one of the main reasons the Dolphins rank last in run defense this preseason, allowing 5.2 yards per carry.
“If you think they can block you then they are going to block you,” said Baker, who points out he’s 6 foot 2 and weighs 225 pounds and not the 215 he’s listed at by the team and NFL. “I don’t think anyone can block me. I go out there and do my job.
“There will always be bigger linemen than me. As far as shedding blocks, that’s part of my job.”
Baker said he doesn’t have an interest in putting on weight because it would probably alter how fluidly he moves, slowing down the speed that helped him post a 4.53 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine.
Baker’s loose hips and footwork help him fly around the field, and enable him to quickly recover, which is the trait that first caught defensive coordinator Matt Burke’s eye during the Tampa Bay preseason game, where Baker produced five tackles and earned a promotion to the starting unit afterwards.
The Dolphins hope Baker will continue to take efficient paths to the ball, and get better with each game.
“He made plays,” Gase said. “That’s all we’re looking for guys to do is to get lined up, be in the right spots, find the ball and make plays.”
Baker, who will be replacing Lawrence Timmons, who was released this offseason, likely won’t be the only rookie starter when Miami plays the season opener at Hard Rock Stadium.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins’ 2018 first-round pick, has spent the past two games as the starting nickel cornerback, replacing Bobby McCain, who has been called on to play on the boundary. And Fitzpatrick is expected to keep that role unless another cornerback steps up or a starting safety gets injured.
Mike Gesicki, the Dolphins’ 2018 second-round pick, has worked his way into one of the two starting tight end spots, manning the flex position, which moves all over the field. A.J Derby’s foot injury, which sidelined him for a week, opened the door for Gesicki to work with Miami’s starters earlier this month, and in that time he’s developed into one of the team’s top red-zone weapons.
MarQueis Gray, a six-year veteran, is expected to serve as Miami’s starting in-line tight end. And one of two rookies — Jason Sanders or Greg Joseph — will win the kicker battle when the roster is trimmed down to 53 players on Saturday.
But it was Baker who was the first rookie to be named a starter, and he’s thrilled about lining up in the same position unit as McMillan, his fellow Buckeye.
“We had a lot of success together at Ohio State,” McMillan said when asked about Baker. “But we’re here with the Dolphins now so it’s about winning Super Bowls and making the playoffs.”