Atlanta Falcons
Sam Baker - #72 - T
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 5"/ 301 lbs. |
| Birthday | 05/30/1985 |
| Birthplace | Tustin, CA |
| College | USC |
| Years played | 6 |
| Drafted | 2008, 1st round, 21st pick by Falcons |
Late FG lifts Falcons over Packers
Matt Bryant kicked a 47-yard field goal with 9 seconds remaining to give the NFC-leading Atlanta Falcons their fifth straight win, 20-17 over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Packers-Falcons prediction
PFW executive editor and resident Packers expert Dan Arkush offers his prediction for the Week 12 Packers-Falcons in Atlanta.
Packers-Falcons matchup of the day: Saturday
PFW executive editor and resident Packers expert Dan Arkush presents the fifth of five key matchups this week in advance of the Packers’ Week 12 game against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Falcons SS Moore impressing in first season as starter
An injury to Erik Coleman gave Falcons SS William Moore his first opportunity to start in Week Two, and he's established himself as one of the team's more promising young defensive players since then.
Packers-Falcons matchup of the day: Friday
PFW executive editor and resident Packers expert Dan Arkush presents the fourth of five key matchups this week in advance of the Packers’ Week 12 game against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Packers-Falcons matchup of the day: Thursday
PFW executive editor and resident Packers expert Dan Arkush presents the third of five key matchups this week in advance of the Packers’ Week 12 game against the Falcons in Atlanta.
2011 NFC South free-agent preview
Buccaneers OG Davin Joseph could be rather expensive to re-sign once the 2011 free-agent signing period begins, but GM Mark Dominik is expected to do whatever it takes to retain the highly regarded Joseph.
Readers say Falcons will win NFC South
More than half of the respondents to a just-concluded poll believe that first-place Atlanta will go on to win the division, ahead of defending Super Bowl-champion New Orleans.
Packers-Falcons matchup of the day: Wednesday
PFW executive editor and resident Packers expert Dan Arkush presents the second of five key matchups this week in advance of the Packers’ Week 12 game against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Packers-Falcons matchup of the day: Tuesday
PFW executive editor and resident Packers expert Dan Arkush presents the first of five key matchups this week in advance of the Packers’ Week 12 game against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Week 13 NFC South showdown moved to later kickoff time
The NFL has announced that the NFC South showdown between the Falcons and Buccaneers in Week 13 has been moved from a 1 p.m. ET kickoff to 4:15. The matchup will be broadcast on FOX.
Ryan, Falcons overpower Rams
Matt Ryan threw two touchdown passes and directed an offense so dominant that three St. Louis defenders left with cramps in the Atlanta Falcons' 34-17 victory over the Rams on Sunday.
Quarterbacks setting sights on Falcons CB Grimes
Quarterbacks are targeting Brent Grimes this season, and the Falcons' third-year corner will likely see plenty of action the rest of the way as teams look to avoid throwing the ball toward CB Dunta Robinson.
Numbers dip, but Falcons pleased with TE Gonzalez
Matt Ryan attempted a career-high 50 passes in Atlanta's Week 10 win over Baltimore, and six-time All-Pro Tony Gonzalez was targeted only five times in the game.
Ravens leave door open after comeback
The Ravens' second-half rally highlights their potential, writes PFW's Mike Wilkening, but they are not a completed product just yet.
PLAYER NEWS
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a six-year contract with Sam Baker, bringing back another key play on a team that came up just short of the Super Bowl.|||||||
The deal with Baker was announced late Tuesday night. It was overshadowed by the big news of the day in Flowery Branch - tight end Tony Gonzalez has decided to come back for another season at age 37, after initially saying he was likely to retire.
Baker is active for Sunday's game versus Minnesota.|||||||
Baker missed four games with a back injury.
Baker was on the inactive list for Atlanta's game against Denver on Sunday.|||||||
Baker, a first-round pick from USC, has started five games but was held out Oct. 26 against Philadelphia with what was called a hip injury. Baker was examined by specialists who found a problem in his lower back, and underwent surgery. His return is still uncertain.
Baker was on the inactive list for Sunday's game against Carolina after undergoing concussion tests this week.|||||||
Baker has been forced to leave the last two games and was listed on the injury report as having an illness.
Baker was hit in the head in the first half of Sunday's 24-9 loss at Tampa Bay and did not return.|||||||
Coach Mike Smith said Baker's status would be evaluated Monday.
