Baker Agrees To Terms With Steelers On Free Agent Contract
May 01, 2006 | Football
May 1, 2006
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GREENVILLE, N.C. - Former East Carolina University strong safety Zach Baker has agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a free agent contract according to a release by the National Football League organization Monday afternoon.
Baker, who was not selected in this past weekend's draft, will participate in the team's mandatory three-day mini-camp May 13-15 at the Steelers' headquarters at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.
Baker recently completed his ECU career after starting 19 of 22 games in the Pirates' secondary where he tallied 134 tackles and eight interceptions.
He was the unit's third-leading tackler in 2005 with 58 stops, 41 of those coming as solo hits. Baker was also credited with a pair of tackles for lost yardage, one pass breakup, one fumble recovery and three interceptions - two in the season opener against Duke and the other against eventual Nokia Sugar Bowl winner West Virginia. In addition, he matched his career-high with 11 stops in a contest at Conference USA champion Tulsa and recorded a rush of 44 yards during a fake punt play against Central Florida.
As a junior, Baker opened all 11 games at the free safety position after transferring into the ECU program from Pima (Ariz.) Junior College. He stood second on the team with 76 tackles (47 solo) and led the Pirates with five interceptions to earn All-Conference USA honors. Baker logged a pair of double-digit tackle efforts, booking a season-best 11 against Southern Miss after picking up 10 stops in the home opener against Wake Forest.
Baker earned honorable mention All-NJCAA All-America honors and was a two-time All-Western States Football League selection at Pima where he registered 62 tackles and six picks as a sophomore.
