Ok I've felt Michael Hodges was doing a good job as LB coach, but I would really like to know how Baun and Elliss could never be more than Special Teamers here and then turn into starters the second they step foot outside of New Orleans. It took comical amounts of injuries for either of them to see the field as actual Linebackers for the Saints, yet it seems pretty obvious the talent was there all along, what gives?
Demario Davis and Pete Werner were largely in Elliss and Baun’s way. They had a stronghold on LB snaps. It was impossible for Elliss and Baun to see the field as much as them while we only use 2 LBs most of the time.
Before this season, Davis and Werner have been very good and healthy to not get rotated out that much. Saints never significantly rotated LBs while having 2 every down LBs. FO should’ve eventually prepared for Davis’ age to show. But Baun didn’t want to wait for a starter job and a chance to earn a big contract while Davis has still been racking up All-Pro seasons. Neither Baun and Elliss rightfully couldn’t wait for Davis’ decline and/or for the Saints to move on.