Zack Baun: Top Graded LB / DPOY cand. [Why Isn’t Baun Still a Saint Thread] ………. [Eagles re-sign Baun to 3-year, $51 million contract on March 5]

new city champ said

Why weren’t they starting or playing bigger roles? Baun was a great pass rusher in college but the Saints hardly used him in that capacity. Ellis was also primarily a special teamer who showed dynamic pass rushing when finally given a chance. Hendrickson was already a good pass rusher when they let him walk. Why? Because none of them fit the Saints “prototype” for players at their position. So others are kept, they all walk, and the Saints can’t mount a pass rush, arguably the most important capability of a modern NFL. Who is accountable?

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Elliss and Baun deserved better than to be limited role players. They weren’t going to be shelved until Demario retires like a fantasy team or Madden. There isn’t significant snaps available for 3 or 4 starting caliber LBs when the Saints only require 2 which they already had for a while now. Werner-type salaries (8M+) potentially tied to 4 LBs doesn’t happen. Demario and Werner established themselves as the Saints’ best LBs (league best in Demario’s case) well before Elliss and Baun emerged in their 4th seasons.

In the bigger picture, the Saints aren’t a losing team because of the LBs or because Baun and Elliss aren’t on the team anymore. There’s huge holes at positions that are relied on to win games and put points on the board.