Budda Baker Tweets Seahawks' DK Metcalf 'Hawked My Ass' on Chase-Down Tackle
October 26, 2020
Cardinals safety Budda Baker took to Twitter to tip his cap to DK Metcalf after the Seattle Seahawks wideout's impressive chase-down tackle on what would have been a pick-six in Sunday's 37-34 Arizona victory.
While it will only show up in the stat sheet as one tackle, Metcalf's play is one of the more astonishing feats of speed you'll see. When Baker (5'10", 195 lbs) picked off Russell Wilson at the Cardinals' 2-yard line, he had a 10.89-yard headstart on Metcalf (6'4", 229 lbs), who did not give up on the play and was able to track him down all the way at the Seattle 8.
According to NextGen Stats, Metcalf reached a speed of 22.64 MPH on the tackle and ran 114.8 yards in pursuit—and it wasn't as if Baker was lollygagging his way down the field. His top speed was 21.27 MPH.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said:
"That was one of the best football plays I've ever seen. It was just remarkable. You saw him realize what was happening, the opportunity, and he just used all that marvelous skill that he had and will to go run the guy down...I just think that it was an inspiring play. Nobody could miss it.
"Everybody that was watching that play, whether you like football or not, you can see that was something extraordinary. I've just never seen one quite like that, and the follow-up, because of the inspirational moment was extraordinarily well done, so really a great play for all time."
The Seahawks defense also finished the job, with Arizona failing to convert on fourth down. The play essentially allowed Seattle a chance to win in overtime, which the Seahawks nearly did on an impressive catch-and-run from Metcalf that was called back for holding.