Toney Baker, RB, NC State signs with us

[jokar123456]

T. Baker

I actually played High School football with him back a in 2004-2005. Good friends with him in college as well. Great kid, football smart, tough as nails, really nice guy.

Dad played in the NFL back in the 70's I believe for a short period of time.

In high school the kid was a beast and still is, saw him bench press 515 pound in high school! Was the strongest on the bench press even throughout college. Run's in between the tackles and is tough. Loves contact. Not the fastest but can run away. Not the best hands catching the ball but is a solid blocker.

Obviously I am biased because I know him, but I love the pick up and think he could be a solid 2 or 3 back not a starter though.

[ezzieyguywuf]

ezzieyguywuf here, streetxpoet's biological brother and brother-from-a-different mother to T-Bake. I absolutely loved reading the three pages on this thread. It was a huge disappointment that Toney didn't get drafter, but as streetxpoet said it really wasn't a year for RBs so wadayuhgonna do huh? I personally expect Toney to get a spot on the roster, but I (and he) won't be satisfied with RB3. The man is angry at not getting drafted and is out to prove a point. I dunno what kind of running game you Broncos run, so I dunno if T-Bake is really viable for an RB1 spot (he is a power back through-and-through) but if its an option, he'll do everything in his power to get it. Little anecdote: he left to go train in Florida back at the end of January (some big-name coach runs the thing, ask streetxpoet for the name I'm not really good on keeping up with that kinda stuff). The next time I saw him was after he gained that 10 lbs someone mentioned a few posts ago. Lemme tell you, the guy look great. I saw him, and was like "Dam# son, I thought you were already big". Lol. That was after a month (or two?) at a training camp. He'll be working out with an actual NFL Team now. I mean, let's extrapolate that shall we? What's the difference between the kind of training he got at the camp and what he'll get with the Broncos? Significant I would hope.

"But ezzieyguywuf, you gotta consider the limitations of the human body. How much better could Toney really get?" That's a legitimate concern guys. But Toney is a professional athlete through-and-through. Unlike us mere mortals, he is able to train and adjust his body to the whatever workout regimen he puts it through with incredible results. I'm excited to see how much better he gets before the pre-season, and let me just tell you from a COMPLETELY biased standpoint that I expect him to blow up like Hiroshima, and that you guys may have a hard time holding on to him at the end of the season. When can I get a T. Bake jersey? (I too am an Eagles fan, btw).

Oh, but I never played footbal with Toney or lifted with him. Sorry, just too busy with school. Oh! I have played raquetball with him, lol and lemme tell you the translation from the gridiron to the raquetball court was scary. haha.

[streetxpoet07]

ezzieyguywuf here, streetxpoet's biological brother and brother-from-a-different mother to T-Bake. I absolutely loved reading the three pages on this thread. It was a huge disappointment that Toney didn't get drafter, but as streetxpoet said it really wasn't a year for RBs so wadayuhgonna do huh? I personally expect Toney to get a spot on the roster, but I (and he) won't be satisfied with RB3. The man is angry at not getting drafted and is out to prove a point. I dunno what kind of running game you Broncos run, so I dunno if T-Bake is really viable for an RB1 spot (he is a power back through-and-through) but if its an option, he'll do everything in his power to get it. Little anecdote: he left to go train in Florida back at the end of January (some big-name coach runs the thing, ask streetxpoet for the name I'm not really good on keeping up with that kinda stuff). The next time I saw him was after he gained that 10 lbs someone mentioned a few posts ago. Lemme tell you, the guy look great. I saw him, and was like "Dam# son, I thought you were already big". Lol. That was after a month (or two?) at a training camp. He'll be working out with an actual NFL Team now. I mean, let's extrapolate that shall we? What's the difference between the kind of training he got at the camp and what he'll get with the Broncos? Significant I would hope.

"But ezzieyguywuf, you gotta consider the limitations of the human body. How much better could Toney really get?" That's a legitimate concern guys. But Toney is a professional athlete through-and-through. Unlike us mere mortals, he is able to train and adjust his body to the whatever workout regimen he puts it through with incredible results. I'm excited to see how much better he gets before the pre-season, and let me just tell you from a COMPLETELY biased standpoint that I expect him to blow up like Hiroshima, and that you guys may have a hard time holding on to him at the end of the season. When can I get a T. Bake jersey? (I too am an Eagles fan, btw).

Oh, but I never played footbal with Toney or lifted with him. Sorry, just too busy with school. Oh! I have played raquetball with him, lol and lemme tell you the translation from the gridiron to the raquetball court was scary. haha.

Wuf when I spoke to T. Bake about it he said the trainer was the trainer for the NE Patriots two of the years they were in the super bowl, so that's pretty good stuff.

Oh and too someone who said "he will unleash fury on teams that passed on him"

umm SAN DIEGO CHARGERS here we come! 2 games a season baby! See how long sproles holds up eh?

Baker is for sure a professional athlete through and through, I mean the guy sinks in a pool, hits the weight room hard, shoot I even have video of him tearing up a skateboard (never saw him fall, even when bailing out on grinds. his reflexes are THAT good) and in a pick up game the competition is ridiculous (like madden pro vs. all madden hardcore haha)

[InElwayWeTrust]

Really good pickup! He could end up being the big back that we need. If he is 100% he has a good chance of making the team and seeing a little playing time, most likely late in the season when the main backs are a little banged up.

[Cutler2007]

The run after the catch of the play at 5:57 and 6:07 (same play, different angles) gives you a good idea of what to expect from TB.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIPp4Y7V-1E

Good luck Toney Baker, and good luck Broncos.

I'm not sure if many can remember, but he reminds me of Roger Craig. He works well in traffic, keeps his legs moving, and always seems to have a nice low center of gravity.

Here is hoping he can impress. I love Buck, but if we can get younger at the RB position it is always a good thing.

[imahardkase]

MJD

I just got chills

[DancingHorsey]

I have to say this guy looks like he has the potential to be quite good. I can't exactly see any weaknesses in his game. The injury's the only issue I see, and if that doesn't cause future problems we may have scored ourselves a hell of a power back for basically nothing. Sounds like McD type player to boot.

[colinski]

I love this guy

My reaction to his highlight reel was WOW!! And it's obviously not about his elusiveness. With so many RBs the problem is that their legs stop churning on contact. Baker's legs never stop, and he just rolls over people after contact like a run away truck.

[imahardkase]

I have to say this guy looks like he has the potential to be quite good. I can't exactly see any weaknesses in his game. The injury's the only issue I see, and if that doesn't cause future problems we may have scored ourselves a hell of a power back for basically nothing. Sounds like McD type player to boot.

If I was nitpicking, I'd say that he heads east/west way to often & takes it way too far (only because that doesn't work in the NFL.) However, I think with pro coaching and experience being hunted down a couple of times, he would go back to a very strong North/South elusive & power running style. On that day he'll be a scary guy.

[Pratama]

If I was nitpicking, I'd say that he heads east/west way to often & takes it way too far (only because that doesn't work in the NFL.) However, I think with pro coaching and experience being hunted down a couple of times, he would go back to a very strong North/South elusive & power running style. On that day he'll be a scary guy.

I disagree - - watching his film, I only see him run East/West when the hole is filled or if he sees there is not backside containment. I see a guy who actually likes running between the tackles and likes contact. He also seems to have no regard for his body and isnt afraid to throw himself in the mix to make a play. He reminds me a little bit of Toby Gerhart (compact, low center of gravity, low pad level, powerful, great vision, breaks arm tackles).

[DancingHorsey]

If I was nitpicking, I'd say that he heads east/west way to often & takes it way too far (only because that doesn't work in the NFL.) However, I think with pro coaching and experience being hunted down a couple of times, he would go back to a very strong North/South elusive & power running style. On that day he'll be a scary guy.

You're right that would be nitpicking. And it wouldn't be all that accurate either.

[gregb]

Will do the job

Followed Bakers career since high school and attended all his home college games. I know all of the hidden details. Always the starting back yet the coaches continued to rotate backs even though he had the statical edge. Crappy game day coaching limited his performance along with playing on a marginal team and behind mediocre offensive line. New coaching staff 1/2 through and injury put him back at ground zero for his senior year and the coaches limited his carries with 1/2 the time standing on the side lines while the number two back struggled in the hopes Baker would elect to stay at NC State for another year due to the NCAA granting another year due to his two yrs out. Toney Baker is the real deal as many have posted. He can catch, block and run.