Chiefs activating DeAndre Baker at the perfect time
By Mark Powell
The Chiefs activated the former first-round pick off the practice squad.
With Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints waiting, the Chiefs have added the former Georgia Bulldog to their active roster, hoping to have as much defensive back depth as possible in their secondary. Baker won’t play a significant role against the Saints, but he’ll likely get an opportunity — and perhaps make his debut with Kansas City.
Baker was released by the New York Giants — unceremoniously, I might add — due to his connection to a robbery scheme earlier this year. In a surprising turn of events, Baker was cleared of all charges and allowed back in the NFL with little repercussions, which is where the Chiefs come in.
Stopping Drew Brees and the Saints offense will be a tall order
The Saints are averaging 28.3 points per game despite missing the likes of Brees and wide receiver Michael Thomas for significant portions of the season. The efforts of Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara in the running game have made up for those losses, but even Kamara has trailed off a bit since Brees went down. No one is happier than him that the 41-year-old signal-caller is back on Sunday.
With Baker in tow, it will be the Chiefs defense rather than just their offense that can make a big statement on a grand stage just weeks before the postseason. Should they slow down the Saints in front of a national audience, it’ll serve as further proof that Kansas City has few if any weaknesses as they aim to win back-to-back Super Bowls this February.