DEL.ICIO.USFalcons rookie tackle Baker eyes return
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, December 01, 2008
Sam Baker said after Sunday’s game in San Diego that he was gearing up to return this week against New Orleans. The rookie left tackle has missed six games due to hip problems, which led to surgery for a herniated disc.
Baker had surgery on Oct. 30 and would be in only his fifth week of recovery. Typically recovery takes 8-10 weeks, or six weeks at best.
Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Falcons rookie left tackle Sam Baker has missed six games due to hip problems.
Falcons coach Mike Smith wasn’t quite ready to declare Baker set to go on Monday, but acknowledged Baker has been doing more in practice and his progress will be monitored throughout the week.
“I know that he progressed quite a bit last week,” Smith said. “I really think it’s going to be a matter of how he gets out there, how he feels and how he moves around as the week progresses.”
Baker missed one game and parts of two others in September because of a concussion, so he’s seen action in only three full games this season. The Falcons are eager to get their first-round pick back not only to help them on this playoff push, but to get him more repetitions at the NFL level.
Veteran Todd Weiner has been starting at left tackle in his place.
“It would be best for Sam to play as many games as he can for us because this is a long-term process for the Atlanta Falcons and Sam Baker, and we want to give Sam as much experience as we can,” Smith said. “We’re not just looking in terms of 2008. We’re looking to 2009 and beyond.”
Douglas coachable
Harry Douglas got an earful from Smith after he muffed a punt in the first quarter to set up the Chargers’ opening touchdown. He had been indecisive on the play, first letting the ball bounce, then fielding it at the last minute when he should have left it alone.
But it was how he responded to that miscue in his fifth game as the Falcons’ punt returner that made the bigger impact ultimately.
On the next Chargers punt, Dougas returned the ball 32 yards to the Chargers’ 46-yard line. That set up an 18-yard touchdown catch by Justin Peelle to give the Falcons their first lead, one they wouldn’t lose.
“It’s a learning process for Harry,” Smith said. “And I know that Harry took a big step yesterday.”
Notable
Michael Turner’s fourth-quarter fumble broke a streak of 331 carries without losing a fumble. It was his first fumble lost as a Falcon. … Despite arriving back at Flowery Branch at 2:45 a.m. from San Diego, 41 players reported Monday morning for voluntary workouts and film sessions. “To have those guys in here today is a tribute to how hard these guys are working,” Smith said.
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