Budda Baker began training camp -- and the scheduled final year of his contract -- leaving an imprint in the first team meeting.
After owner Michael Bidwill, senior vice president of media relations Mark Dalton and coach Jonathan Gannon addressed the team Tuesday evening after the Cardinals arrived at The Wigwam resort, the Pro Bowl safety stood up and spoke "off the cuff," Gannon said Wednesday before the team's first practice.
"(Budda) is everything we're about," Gannon said. "He practices the right way, he plays the right way. You should hear him in meetings. He asks a ton of questions when he probably knows the answers but he's asking because his buddy doesn't want to ask the question."
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting said Baker's message was simply that he was excited to be around all his teammates and how the team has made him feel positive about the upcoming season.
Gannon was asked if he has considered what it would be like if Baker departed as a free agent after the season. "I don't get into feelings in the future," Gannon said.
Baker famously was caught by the Hard Knocks cameras in 2022 with a vocal plea to his teammates after a difficult loss at home to the Eagles. Gannon said Baker "has a unique gift" as a vocal leader.
"He's a phenomenal person and he's a phenomenal player," Gannon said. "I'm glad '3' is with us and he's going to play a big part in what we do this year."
