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Buccaneers Interested In Defensive Lineman Chris Baker

By James Yarcho

Dec 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) leaps over Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) while carrying the ball as Redskins defensive end Chris Baker (92) makes the tackle in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) leaps over Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) while carrying the ball as Redskins defensive end Chris Baker (92) makes the tackle in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buccaneers are rumored to be interested in former Redskins defensive tackle/defensive end Chris Baker.

A new defensive lineman has been linked to the Buccaneers when free agency gets underway. Legal tampering will begin Tuesday at noon while contracts can become official Thursday at 4:00 p.m. EST. Mike Klis of 9 News in Denver has reported that the Bucs are interested in former Redskins lineman Chris Baker;

Klis also throws a kink into the Calais Campbell talks by saying Jacksonville will be pursuing the former Cardinal.

Baker has started 42 games since joining the league in 2009 including all sixteen for the first time in his career in 2016 for the Redskins. Baker has 12.5 career sacks and five forced fumbles.

Baker started out with the Denver Broncos, playing only one game in 2009. He was released by Denver and picked up by the Miami Dolphins who also cut him after playing in only one game. After signing with the Redskins in 2011 he suffered a quad injury after being promoted from the practice squad and was placed on injured reserve.

Baker finally got his opportunity in 2012, appearing in fourteen games. he started three games in 2013, twelve in 2014, eleven in 2015, then all sixteen last season.

Baker would provide depth along the defensive line that the Bucs are desperately seeking but doesn’t provide the kind of threat next to Gerald McCoy that Calais Campbell would. He’s more along the same lines as Clinton McDonald, which is fine but isn’t groundbreaking by any means.

The Buccaneers are certainly in the market for multiple players at the same positions including along the defensive line. Baker won’t be getting any huge mega-deals so he may be viewed strictly as a depth guy. The Bucs signed William Gholston Monday to a five year deal so that provides some stability, but Gholston is a rotational player that is still learning how to get after the quarterback.

Next: Gholston Inks 5-Year Deal To Remain In Tampa

The moves will begin coming fast and furious this week as the landscape of the Buccaneers roster changes, taking shape for a playoff push in the 2017 season.

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