The city of PhiladelphiaDennis Allen lost his position as head coach of the New Orleans Saints in November after losing one of his finest special teams players during the free agency period.
Not that one was related to the other; the coach’s demise was sealed by a seven-game losing streak following a 2-0 start. However, in retrospect, the Saints would have been better off keeping Zach Baun, who joined the Eagles for a pittance of $3.5 million.
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Allen is truly pleased for his old player.
Allen called NJ Advance Media on Tuesday and said, “He’s gone in there and gotten an opportunity to play.” In my opinion, he has done a fantastic job defending coach (Vic) Fangio.He has, in my opinion, made excellent use of his athletic skills. Seeing it has been just amazing.
With the Saints, Baun rarely had opportunities. After the converted high school quarterback finished his senior season at Wisconsin with 12 1/2 sacks as an edge rusher, they traded up to select him in the third round of the 2020 draft.
However, the Saints had trouble determining Baun’s place from the start.
I’m not sure whether we had a clear idea of what this player would be capable of when we selected him, Allen said. Vic is sort of doing the same thing with him there, and I felt he would be able to play some on the end of the line of scrimmage plays. Since he has never really done it, the question was, “Okay, how is he going to be as a stack back, off-the-ball linebacker?” The development of it takes time.
Allen and the Saints believed they had everything worked out by the end of the previous campaign. As an edge rusher, Baun contributed 11 pressures and the first two sacks of his NFL career during the Saints’ final six games, in addition to being a staple on special teams.
Allen stated, “We definitely didn’t want to lose Zack.” We wished to have him return. I believe he likely believed—and probably correctly—that a new beginning would benefit him and his career, and it has undoubtedly done so.
Fangio gave Baun the new start, which came at inside linebacker. Fangio put Baun on the field with the starters right from the beginning of OTAs, despite the Eagles having already signed free agent Devin Whiteas, a former second-team All Pro and Pro Bowler, to play inside linebacker. After four games, White was cut and never played a snap for the team.
Allen remarked, “I think guys just need a clean slate sometimes.” I believe Zack is one of those people that occasionally just needs a change of scenery. I’m happy that he’s having the kind of season he is in Philadelphia, even if it obviously didn’t turn out the way he or we would have liked.
Allen does have a good hypothesis on why Baun’s Eagles career took off as an inside linebacker.
The big defensive linemen are allowing Zack some free access because they’re obviously doing a great job up front, which is advantageous for him because he’s always had speed and athleticism, Allen said. He’s always been a good linebacker who can hit and run.
Because they devour double teams, I believe the Eagles have unique up front talent that they use to generate penetration. It lets the linebackers run a little bit, which I believe has contributed to Baun’s effectiveness. However, I do not wish to minimize Zack’s actions. There is always a chance when you have a talented man who is willing to put in the effort.
Jalen Carter leads the Eagles’ outstanding defensive front. This season, the Saints’ seven-game losing streak began in New Orleans against the Eagles, and Carter was outstanding on that particular day. Baun, who finished with a game-high 13 tackles, was also.
Baun finished the game with double-digit tackles for the eighth time this season. During his four seasons with the Saints, Baun only participated in 25 games with ten or more defensive snaps. Compared to his four seasons in New Orleans, he actually played 279 more defensive snaps this season.
There is no doubt that Allen likes Baun.
He said, “I think he’s a very humble person.” He is not truly one of these bold, outrageous individuals. He is a man with excellent moral principles. He is a Christian, a family man, and a man who simply shows up to work every day and works tirelessly, both physically and intellectually. That, in my opinion, is most likely the reason he has been improving and has had the success he has this year. From the first year when we received him to this past year, I observed progress in him, and I believe he has really become better and better this year.
Baun was named a first-team All-Pro this season, and the Eagles received what may have been the greatest free-agent deal available. Think about this: Only one player on the offensive or defensive first teams earned less money this season than Baun, with the average salary of the 30 players selected to the first team All Pro being $15.77 million. Kerby Joseph, a third-year safety with the Lions who led the league in interceptions with nine, was that player.
Since the Saints and Eagles game in Week 3 of this season, Allen says he hasn’t spoken to Baun, but he intends to congratulate him eventually.
“He has a lot more important things going on right now than paying attention to any accolades or pats on the back that he can get,” Allen shared. “I’ve been meaning to reach out to him and congratulate him on such a great year.” His attention should be on winning a world title, as you are aware. After, there will be plenty of time to reflect.
After that, Baun will once more be a free agent.
Allen stated that he earned some money for himself this year. That’s certain.
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The email address of Bob Brookover is [email protected].