I guess since I don't have a dog in this fight- I was neither onec of those who hitched my wagon to the Baker train early or ignored him hoping he would go away because they hate players that remind one of themselves- but it seems like there were and are multiple factors in Baker's struggles that will not all go away easily.
1. Having OBJ has been a hindrance. I think having this veteran receiver crew has been an issue, because he has felt pressed to feed OBJ instead who he finds open. Maybe its just me, but he was succesful last year because he was egalitarian: it didnt matter who the WRs were, if you were open he would hit you in the hands. The only WR he had to 'force feed' at all was Landry, and that wasn't an issue because Landry runs enough safety valve routes that he would get his regardless. Also, OBJs complete dismissal of OTAs to get into a rhythm woth the offense has shown.
2. The very brashness that fuels him has bit him in the ass. He just wasn't as prepared coming into the year as he thought; whether that was because he didn't put in the work, or is still learning the work required, or what, it's still clear.
3. His maturity level just isn't there yet. Fans love it when he talks like one of us- but he isn't 'one of us'. Hes not a fan, he's the leader. He doesn't just speak for himself. This is what ultimately separates the John Elways from the Jeff Georges. We enjoyed him skewering Hue last year- even though it should have worried us how he turned on his former coach like that. Hue was a bad HC, but did he really do anything to Baker to really warrant what was public humiliation? I don't think so personally. His public bashing of Poop Dick- which should and would never happen with a veteran leader. And his public handling of criticism has been very wanting; he needs to find how you stand up for himself without going on the attack, because all that's doing is feeding a pointless fire- like the current one. For a guy who doesn't like Hue, his interactions with the media are sure getting like them. One question mark of him was good he would handle struggles and criticism... We are seeing that now. He hss to improve here.
3. Defenses have clearly adjusted to him and he hasn't adjusted back. DCs seem to have figured out his blind spots and are exploiting them. Blame here also falls on the coaches, too.
4. The play calling has gotten away from what worked- both due to personnel and expectations. The coaching staff has botched this 'next step'- some of it they can control (scheme, timing, etc) and some they can't (shit tackles, TEs that can't block to help our shit tackles, etc). But its the coach's job to fit his scheme to work with what they got until they can get what they need, and the team hasn't done that.
It's obvious that Baker had regressed and hasn't made the right adjustments as a player and leader. That silver lining is that i think he in the past turned criticism into hard work and I can only hope that holds true. He can weather the storm of a shitty local media and shitty aspects of the local fan base as long as the staff and teammates have his back and maintain good communication with him. His potential is still there, but i think an adjustment of expectations and a 'wiping of the slate' in that regards needs to happen with this team and staff going forward. It can be fixed; he's may not be the ubermensch some see or the pending implosion some lust for, but imo he can be a successful QB and leader even with this current leadership. Pitter patter let's get at'er.
