by D. Orlando Ledbetter; Staff , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Like Ryan, Baker, whom the Falcons traded up to select with the 21st overall pick, opened the season as a starter. But there, their seasons parted. Two major injuries and disc surgery disrupted Baker's first year.

Falcons offensive line coach Paul Boudreau spent the most time with Baker. While Ryan and the rest of the team took flight, Boudreau saw the tackle's angst up close.

"He told me that last year was the longest year of his life," Boudreau said.

The experience was so discouraging that Baker even advised his former college teammate, USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, to stay in school for his senior season. Sanchez came out anyway and was selected in the first round by the New York Jets.

"He told him how hard that first year is," Boudreau said. "If you get a chance to stay in college for one more year, do it."

But as the Falcons conclude their organized team activities Thursday and break for the rest of the offseason, Baker is rejuvenated and excited about his second season. And who wouldn't be, with that rookie season behind him.

Baker suffered a concussion in the second game of 2008 when he took a knee to his head. He tried to play the next week but was still groggy and had to leave the game.

After sitting out the fourth game, Baker played two more games before it was discovered that he needed back surgery.

"It was definitely frustrating because I'd never really had something [that severe]," Baker said.

While he was able to rejoin the team for the final three games and the season-ending playoff loss at Arizona, the long stretch of inactivity (seven games) and the rehabilitation was more difficult than he had imagined.

"Fortunately I had a lot of good vets who helped me out," Baker said. "Coach [Mike] Smith and those guys were very encouraging. I was fortunate to have a guy like Todd Weiner, who had an injury similar like that before to deal with. That was very helpful."

Baker played in nine games and made five starts.

Being able to compete in those final four games was invaluable. It also impressed his bosses, since he could have waited until he was fully healthy.

"It showed the toughness that Sam has to come back from that back surgery," Smith said. "To come back and get in some playing time. ... That was big for him and big for his confidence."

Baker, who won't have Weiner to lean on this season because he retired, will be expected to carry the full load at left tackle. From his performances in OTAs, he appears to have stepped into his role with ease.

"We are way ahead of where we were last year," Baker said. "We are able to try some new things and get back to the basics."

Roster moves

The Falcons released offensive tackle Renardo Foster and punter Robbie DeHaze on Tuesday, the team announced.

Foster, who spent last season on injured reserve, was released a day after the team signed offensive lineman Jeremy Newberry. Foster, 6-foot-7, 340 pounds, made the team as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2007. He started two games and played in seven before suffering a knee injury.

DeHaze was an undrafted free agent who signed in April.

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