University of North Carolina Athletics
Droschak: Long Wait for Baker Almost Over
September 6, 2005 | Football
Sept. 6, 2005
by David Droschak, TarHeelBlue.com
CHAPEL HILL -
John Bunting talked Tuesday about the investment of time, energy and care his 20 seniors have invested in this season and the North Carolina program.Nobody more so than Matt Baker.
Just think for a moment how many games Baker has watched intently from the sideline, knowing full well he would be doing just that - watching. That can be more mentally taxing than playing.
But Baker was doing more than just passing time the last three years as Darian Durant passed his way to more than 50 school records. Baker was soaking in every ounce of knowledge from the coaching staff and Durant, waiting to shine, waiting to lead.
Baker will get his golden opportunity this Saturday in Atlanta against Georgia Tech in UNC's 2005 opener. Ask him if he's ready and he doesn't flinch.
"This is what you prepare for as a backup," said Baker, who has thrown 80 passes in his three previous seasons, but none as a starter. "This is what you work hard for every day in practice. I've worked pretty hard for it and I've seen a lot of things on the practice field. It's time to take those into the starting lineup and perform."
In other words, Baker has been groomed for this moment. Maybe that's why Bunting feels so comfortable that Baker is going to play well this weekend. His talent level may not be that of a Durant, but his football mind should be on par - and in this game -- that's more than half the battle.
Bunting agreed that the grooming of quarterbacks is almost obsolete, asking: "Just how many great quarterbacks are there in the NFL? Who are the guys who can take over a game?"
You can count them on one hand, and it's getting that way in the college game, too. Look no further than the ACC where Florida State made it a practice for years to start redshirt junior QBs. The Seminoles have gotten away from that model in recent seasons and have paid dearly for it on the offensive side of the ball.
There's still no guarantee that Baker's stats Saturday will be any better than those of a green horn freshman. But he's well ahead of the curve, and if UNC's offensive line protects him against a hard-charging Yellow Jackets' defense, he could have a big day. In his limited duty in three previous seasons, Baker has stood tall and looked poised.
"This guy is ready to play," Bunting said.
Baker is also ready to lead. His teammates put an exclamation mark on that part of Baker's resume by naming him one of UNC's three captains this week. That's some pretty heady stuff for a player who has been nothing more than a mop-up guy before this year.
"I've worked hard and I did a lot this summer that helped me get into this position," he said. "Trust me, it means a lot to wait around this long and then be elected the leader of your team."
There may be more pressure for Baker to stay healthy for 11 or 12 games than pile up huge numbers in the passing game. The Tar Heels are paper thin at his position.
But Baker said he hasn't been given the red light when it comes to scrambling out of trouble to gain some extra yardage.
He joked about maybe practicing his slide in the next few days before the opener.
"My dad told me I should practice because back in Little League baseball I was pretty bad," Baker said. "For whatever reason I couldn't figure out how to slide."
Baker didn't slide into his starting quarterback position, he earned it the hard way, and I don't think he's going to duck anybody to make sure the Tar Heels come out on the winning end of things.
"I'm not going to try to take on any linebackers or anything, but not running is out of the question. I'm a competitor and I'm going to go get it if I see it."
David Droschak is the former sports editor for the North Carolina bureaus of the Associated Press, the largest news-gathering organization in the world. In 2003, Droschak was named the North Carolina Sportswriter of the Year. He currently works in public relations at Robbins & Associates International, based in Cary.
