Ryan Baker

Last updated

Ryan Baker
Ryan Baker 12-30-2009.JPG
Baker in 2009
No. 79, 90
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1984-11-25) November 25, 1984 (age 39)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:302 lb (137 kg)
Career information
High school: Bishop Chatard
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
College: Purdue
Undrafted: 2009
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:7
Sacks:0.5
Player stats at PFR

Ryan Edward Baker (born November 25, 1984) is a former American football defensive end who played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He was originally signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Purdue.

Contents

Early life

Baker started off his career at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he won several awards, including the 2004 Indianapolis Star 'Athlete of the Year'. [1] He was a four-year two-way starter and two-time team captain for the Bishop Chatard Trojans. He led the team to three consecutive Indiana high school football class 3A State Championships in the 2001, 2002, and 2003 seasons. [2] He was runner-up 2003 Mr. Indiana Football behind Desmond Tardy, of Warren Central High School and participated in the 2004 Indiana All-Star Game. [3] Baker was also a member of the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl East Football team, along with former Dolphins teammates Ted Ginn Jr. and Chad Henne. [4] Baker was the recipient of the 2004 Doc Blanchard Award for excellence in community service, education, and athletic distinction. [5]

Baker was also a four-year starter and member of the 2003 Bishop Chatard Indiana high school basketball 3A state championship team [6] along with his childhood friend Dan Cage. At that time, Bishop Chatard was only the second high school in Indiana history to win both a state championship in football and basketball in the same academic year.

College career

Recruitment

During the 2003-2004 college recruiting season, Baker verbally committed to join the University of Notre Dame football program under head coach Tyrone Willingham. The Notre Dame football program publicly announced the commitment though Baker had not submitted his official commitment papers. About seven weeks following the incident, Baker committed to joining the Purdue University football program, under head coach Joe Tiller, by submitting formal commitment papers to Purdue University. [7]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40‡Commit date
Ryan Baker
DE 		Indianapolis, Indiana Bishop Chatard 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)225 lb (102 kg)4.8Mar 24, 2004 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 14 (DE)   Rivals: 11 (DE), 2 (IN)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2004 Purdue Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  • "2004 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 7, 2011.

Baker, also being an accomplished basketball player, was recruited by Division I basketball programs. He often received scholarship offers from both the Basketball and Football programs of the same university. Though he was a successful multi-sport athlete, Baker chose to focus solely on Football.

"Ryan is the epitome of a Boilermaker student-athlete. No one works harder than he does - in the classroom, the weight room, the playing field. There are high-motor guys, and then there is 'Bakes.' He takes it to another level."

- Purdue University Head Coach Joe Tiller, October 2, 2008. [8]

Purdue

Baker played college football at Purdue University (2004–2008). He was co-captain along with Curtis Painter, and Jermaine Guynn [9] for the 2008 football season and his position of specialty was defensive tackle. [10] During each home game of the 2008 season, "The Boilermaker" statue bore the number 90 jersey in honor of Baker's indomitable spirit and Boilermaker style of football.

Baker graduated from the Purdue University Krannert School of Management with a Bachelor's degree in Management in December 2008.

Professional career

Miami Dolphins

"He went in the game and did what Ryan does every day...hustled, went a million miles per hour and found the football."

- Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano concerning Baker's professional debut, November 30, 2009. [11]

2009

After going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft, Baker signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2009. He was waived by the Dolphins during final cuts on September 5 and subsequently re-signed to the team's practice squad. Baker made his professional debut against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 29, 2009, after being signed to the active roster the previous day, recording a quarterback sack his second play from scrimmage.

“He’s an amoeba. He’s got no bones in his body...I’ll tell you what I love about this guy...If you give him that job, now whatever job you give to Ryan Baker, he’s going to do it 200%."

- Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano concerning Ryan Baker’s versatility, November 4, 2010. [12]

2010

Baker was waived during final cuts on September 4, 2010, and re-signed to the Dolphins' practice squad. He was soon reinstated to the active roster on September 18 after the team waived defensive end Rob Rose. [13]

2011

Baker was released from the team during week four of the season, on September 28, 2011, to make room for running back Steve Slaton. [14] Baker was resigned to the team on November 30, 2011, and Igor Olshansky was subsequently released. [15]

2012

On March 20, 2012, Baker was re-signed to a one-year contract. On August 31, 2012, he was released from the team during final cuts and later re-signed to the team during the second week of the season on September 12, 2012, in order to serve in a reserve role in place of the injured Tony McDaniel. [16] Baker was again released from the reserve role during the third week of the season on September 18, 2012, and the team subsequently signed former Detroit Lions defensive lineman Andre Fluellen. [17]

Baker with the Dolphins in 2012 Ryan Baker of Miami Dolphins in 2012.jpg
Baker with the Dolphins in 2012

Oakland Raiders

Baker signed with the Oakland Raiders on August 5, 2013. [18] Baker was released on the Raiders' final cut day.

Personal life

During the summer, The Ryan Baker Foundation hosts the annual Ryan Baker Football Camp for youth football players in the Indianapolis area. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Zgonina</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Jeffrey Marc Zgonina is an American football coach and former player who currently serves as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL draft.

Taylor Evans Stubblefield is an American football coach and former player who is the wide receivers coach for the Air Force Falcons. He played professionally as a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers and St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He left Purdue University owning the most receptions in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. Stubblefield was most recently the wide receivers coach with the Toronto Argonauts. A three-sport athlete at A.C. Davis High School, Stubblefield committed to the Purdue University to play football for the Boilermakers. In his collegiate debut in 2001, he had five receptions for 65 yards. He led the team in receptions and was named to the All-Freshman Big Ten team by Sporting News. During his sophomore season, he finished with 77 receptions for 789 yards, but didn't record a touchdown catch. As a junior in 2003, Stubblefield earned second-team All-Big Ten honors at the conclusion of the season. In the 2001 Sun Bowl, he had nine catches for a Sun Bowl-record 196 yards. During the 2004 season, Stubblefield was a Biletnikoff Award finalist, earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and was named a consensus All-American.He concluded his college career with an NCAA record of 325 receptions, which he held for seven years, 3,629 yards, and 27 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Purdue Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 and was also named to the 75th Anniversary Sun Bowl Team.

Kory Gerren Sheets is a former American football running back. He played college football at Purdue and he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. Sheets was also a member of the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and Oakland Raiders of the NFL and the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Gene Vincent Mruczkowski is a former American football guard. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Purdue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purdue Boilermakers football</span> Football team of Purdue University in Indiana, US

The Purdue Boilermakers football team represents Purdue University in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of college football. Purdue plays its home games at Ross–Ade Stadium on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The head coach of Purdue is Ryan Walters, the 37th head coach in Purdue history. The Boilermakers compete in the Big Ten Conference as a member of the West Division. Purdue had most recently been a part of the Leaders Division of the Big Ten, but moved to the West Division in 2014 due to conference expansion.

Aaron Halterman is a former American football tight end. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Indiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtis Painter</span> American football player (born 1985)

Curtis Jeffrey Painter is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Ninkovich</span> American football player (born 1984)

Robert Michael Ninkovich is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker and defensive end for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers as a defensive end and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, winning two Super Bowls with the latter. After eight seasons with the Patriots, Ninkovich announced his retirement from the NFL following the 2016 season.

James P. Marten is a former American football offensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College. He was also a member of the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins

Otis Wayne Grigsby, Jr. is a former American football defensive end. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Miami Dolphins season</span> 43rd season in franchise history; greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history

The 2008 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 43rd overall and the first under new head coach Tony Sparano. During the regular season the Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, going from a 1–15 regular season record in 2007 to an 11–5 record in 2008. The previous record for most improved team one year after a 1–15 season belonged to the 1997 New York Jets, who went 9–7. The 1999 Indianapolis Colts were the only other team to accomplish a 10-game turnaround, winning 13 games after winning 3 in 1998, which was also the first year of the Peyton Manning era. Additionally, Miami won the AFC East, becoming the first team in NFL history to win their division after only having one win the previous season. The division title also snapped the Patriots' 5-year streak of winning the AFC East. Their season would come to an end in the Wild Card round when they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens, which coincidentally, was also the only team they beat last season in overtime to save the Dolphins from suffering a winless season. With their 11–5 record and division title, the Dolphins had hopes of achieving their first playoff victory since 2000, or to possibly become the first team ever to make the Super Bowl after winning only one game the previous season, similar to how the Carolina Panthers went 1–15 in 2001 and made Super Bowl XXXVIII just two seasons later.

The 2009 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 40th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 44th overall and the second under head coach Tony Sparano. The Dolphins entered the 2009 season as the reigning AFC East champions after posting an 11–5 record in 2008. Dropping by four more games, the Dolphins failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007, marking the 25th consecutive year that the region hosting the Super Bowl did not see its host team play in, thus it set off a playoff drought that lasted until 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Purdue Boilermakers football team</span> American college football season

The 2010 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana and competed in the Big Ten Conference. It was Danny Hope's second season as head coach. The Boilermakers finished the season 4–8, 2–6 in Big Ten play.

Brandon Marico King is a former American football cornerback. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Purdue.

The 2011 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League (NFL), the 46th overall and the fourth and final under head coach Tony Sparano. The Dolphins made their first round selection with the 15th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft on Florida offensive lineman Mike Pouncey. The team got off to an 0–7 start but won six of their final nine games, however, this result failed to improve on their record from 2010 and Sparano was fired on December 12.

Andray Lee Mason III is a former American football running back and wide receiver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tre Roberson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Trerein "Tre" E. Roberson is an American professional football defensive back for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft. He then played for the Stampeders until he signed with the Chicago Bears in 2020. Prior to entering the NFL, Roberson was a collegiate quarterback at Indiana University and Illinois State University. Roberson had a 3–4 record for his career as the starting quarterback at Indiana and a 23–5 record for Illinois State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Miami Dolphins season</span> 47th season in franchise history

The 2012 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 43rd season in the National Football League (NFL), and the 47th overall in the American Football Conference Eastern Division. The season concluded with the Dolphins finishing second in the AFC Eastern Division with a 7–9 record, and no postseason play for the fourth consecutive season.

Joe Holland is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2012.

Samuel Callaghan Brenner is a former American football center. He was originally signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Brenner played college football at Utah.

References

  1. ↑ The Indianapolis Star, Jun 13, 2004, PAT MCKEE, “The Indianapolis Star Athletes of the Year: Ryan Baker; Bishop Chatard” C.11 (no longer available online)
  2. ↑ IHSAA Football Historical Information – State Champions Archived 2008-08-22 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "The 2004 Methodist Sports Medicine South All-Star High School Football Team". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2009.
  4. ↑ U.S. Army All-American Bowl Alumni Archived 2010-12-16 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ U.S. Army All-American Bowl - Awards Archived 2011-01-23 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ IHSAA Basketball Historical Information – State Champions Archived 2009-03-18 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/news/story?id=1767872 ESPN - Baker selects Purdue over Notre Dame
  8. ↑ "Mr. Boiler-Baker". purduesports.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  9. ↑ "2008 PURDUE FOOTBALL ALPHABETICAL ROSTER" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 21, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2009.
  10. ↑ Purdue Official Athletic Site
  11. ↑ "Miami Dolphins' run defense must step up against New England Patriots". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Coach Sparano Press Briefing & Transcript". miamidolphins.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  13. ↑ Dolphins add defensive lineman from practice squad
  14. ↑ With Dolphins still winless, Reggie Bush knows the time is now to turn things around [ dead link ]
  15. ↑ Miami Dolphins waive K Shayne Graham, Carpenter set to return
  16. ↑ Miami Dolphins re-sign Ryan Baker
  17. ↑ Former Lions DT Andre Fluellen signs with Dolphins; reserve Ryan Baker waived [ dead link ]
  18. ↑ McDonald, Jerry (August 5, 2013). "Raiders sign former Dolphins defensive lineman". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  19. ↑ Chatard grad Baker comes back, gives back
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.