Lewis Baker Leads by Example

NORMAN, Okla. -- There are countless legendary Oklahoma defenders known by OU fans all across the country -- Brian Bosworth, Roy Williams, Derrick Strait, Lance Mitchell, Teddy Lehman, Dan Cody, and Andre Woolfolk, to name a few.

But when asked to compare strong side linebacker, Lewis Baker, to a player from the past, defensive coordinator Brent Venables couldn't seem to find an answer. "It's hard to compare him to anybody," Venables said.

Baker is not the next Rufus Alexander. He's not the second Rocky Calmus. Lewis Baker is the first Lewis Baker.

One of the main reasons it is so difficult to compare Baker to any former player is because he has played two different positions and, according to Venables, that is definitely a strength rather than a weakness.

"It's symbolic of what he's been about since the day he got here," Venables said. "He's a guy who is completely and totally committed to his teammates first and foremost, one of the most selfless players I've ever been around."

After playing 10 games at linebacker as a freshman, he used a redshirt for the 2004 season. In 2005, Baker was moved to strong safety where he started the final five games of the season. That was the breakout year for Baker as he recorded 36 tackles, including a season-high eight against Tulsa. He was moved back to linebacker in 2006 where he continued his great defensive play and led Oklahoma's special teams with 15 tackles.

It may sound like the OU coaching staff has a difficult task deciding where to play Baker. That's because they do. Venables had a hard enough time simply listing Baker's talents.

"It speaks to Lewis' talent and ability and how we as a staff trust him," Venables said. "He was out there (at both positions) because he knew what he was doing on the field."

Despite the opinions of some pundits, the transition from linebacker to safety and back to linebacker did not affect Baker's on-field performance.

"It didn't affect me at all," said Baker. "I looked at it as an opportunity to get on the field and showcase what I could do."

When asked what his goal was during his time at the University of Oklahoma, Lewis answered the same as many before him have.

"Guys come here to win championships," he said. "We've heard it from all the guys who played for Barry Switzer and Bud Wilkinson and they all came here for the same reason."

That may be the reason Baker came to Oklahoma but he will certainly leave a lot more here than just trophies and rings. He will leave behind a work ethic that is unmatched. Baker is the definition of "leading by example," Venables said after a Sooner practice. "He's very hard on himself and very self-critical."

For someone who flies around the field at 100 miles per hour, it's hard to imagine what there is to criticize.

"Lewis is always trying harder, every single play, and that makes it easier to coach not only him, but the other guys as well." Venables said.

The one person who did not have a problem comparing Baker to another player was himself. Baker compared himself to an NFL player who really is extremely similar. If you were to look at Baker's physical features (in particular, his hair), you might be able to guess right away.

"I'd probably say Troy Polamalu but not because of the hair." Baker said. "You always see him, even in the fourth quarter, going a hundred miles per hour and being reckless with his body."
Polamalu, known not only for his long locks of hair, but for his exciting and reckless play on the field, played at USC before being drafted in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Baker then compared himself to Bob Sanders, the safety for the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts.

"Bob (Sanders) might not be the biggest guy or the most talented but he goes just as hard in the first quarter as he does in the fourth," Baker said.

As much of a role model as Baker is, he still needed one himself as a freshman. And with Polamalu and Sanders being in the NFL and a few years older, Baker had to find someone at OU to model himself after.

"I always looked up to Clint Ingram," Baker said. "Clint always gave 110 percent in practice and in games."

Coach Venables certainly wouldn't argue that statement.

"Whatever you ask him to do, Lewis is going to give you everything he's got and then some," Venables said. And Venables probably knows this better than anyone after all the time Baker has spent on the defense at OU, especially playing in the secondary and at linebacker.

Even after all the comparisons to past Sooner players and NFL superstars, Baker still has to pick up the leadership role as the 2007 season begins, and he seems ready to take up that position.
"My goal as an individual for the whole year is to provide leadership for this team," Lewis said.

There is no doubt that he will be that leader all season long because no matter how many comparisons are made, Baker is a one-of-a-kind athlete, leader, example, and individual. Just like the video on the big screen says: There's only one... Lewis Baker.

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- By Drew Kirtley, OU Athletics Media Relations

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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