Baker Seeks a New Start
May 7, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY) - The Buffalo Destroyers announced OS Derek Baker has been waived from the practice squad per his request.
Baker played well in his two pre-season appearances for the Destroyers, returning a kickoff 55 yards for a touchdown at Detroit and caught a 22 yard touchdown strike from Jeff Loots vs. Grand Rapids.
Baker was signed to the Destroyers practice squad after just missing the cut to the 24-man roster prior to the regular season.
"Derek felt he needs to play to get better and he wouldn't be able to do that here," said Destroyers head coach and general manager Ray Bentley. "He wants to learn how to play defense and hopefully he can go to Rochester to do that."
Last season, Baker led the Rochester Brigade in scoring (176), touchdowns (29) and also led the team in all purpose yards, averaging 187.1 per game. Baker was the team's leading receiver with 80 receptions for 1,273 yards.
Baker was among the league leaders in numerous categories, ranking fifth in all purpose yards (2,619), ninth in yards per-catch (15.9), fourth in kick returns (56) and fifth in kick returns for touchdowns (4).
Baker played his college football at Buffalo State where he currently holds records for career receptions (148), career receiving yards (3,359), touchdowns (26) and is the Division III all-time leader for yards per-catch average at 22.7. He was also selected as a USA football.com second team All-American and as a USA Football Independent first team All-American.
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