N/S Zack Baun: Top Graded LB / DPOY cand. [Why Baun Isn’t Still a Saint Thread] (2 Viewers)

[Saint KayBee]

Only a coach as bad as Dennis Allen could land a Zach Baun or Trey Hendrickson and let them easily leave. The level of incompetence that takes is profound.

Sean Payton was still the head coach when Trey Hendrickson left. So at least two bad, profoundly incompetent coaches could do it.

Zach Baun didn’t earn starter-count PT over Demario Davis & Pete Werner. Prior to leaving the Saints, this fanbase primarily knew Baun as the guy who fumbled after he caught an interception, and thus questioned why Dennis Allen even had him on the field in coverage since he’s still a “pass rush specialist” in the minds of many. The “pass rush specialist” went from 2 sacks in 2023 on 301 defensive snaps, to 3.5 sacks on 939 defensive snaps in 2024. Two hundred fifty-five posts in the Zack Baun megathread and the “DA is a dumdum for letting Baun leave” crowd still hasn’t reached consensus as to what he even does best on the field. For example…

We could have loaded an offer up with playing time and performance incentives, I think he would have accepted.

We have a bad habit of letting pass rush talent walk out the door, it’s no wonder why we have one of the worst pass rush units in the league.

Zack Baun didn’t make hay this season rushing the passer. 3.5 sacks and 5 QB hits on 900+ snaps while also totaling 93 solo tackles tells me he primarily got it done 2-7 yards past the line of scrimmage, and playing next to Nakobe Dean tells me he did it in a system next to a linebacker who commands gameplan-level attention. As for an incentive-laden contract… why would a guy who couldn’t get on the field accept one of those? He took the Eagles contract specifically because they offered him starting LB playing time. Playing was more important to him than money.

 

[SuperSaint]

The fact that these things happen, and there's no accountability, is why the Saints need a complete shakeup from the FO on down, but it will never happen.

 

[Jd101]

Highest graded linebacker per PFF for 2 weeks in a row now.

Dennis Allen folks…

Wasn't he drafted by Payton? If you wanna give him all the credit he also gets the blame

 

[Jd101]

Snap!

Is that common sense ?

 

[OzzieSaint]

Is that common sense ?

No, that "snap" was the sound of our players hamstrings every week...

 

[Jd101]

Demario All Pro Davis caused this.

The right reason is often the most obvious reason.

That's right. It's all Demarios fault. But if we are letting all these good players get away, our drafting is a lot better than we thought

 

[Jd101]

If it makes you feel better we also traded our 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th round selections that year to draft Adam Trautman.

Six draft picks on Baun and Trautman in 2020/21

Look at what we got when we traded Troutman to the broncos

 

[platinumvinnyv]

Sean Payton was still the head coach when Trey Hendrickson left. So at least two bad, profoundly incompetent coaches could do it.

Zach Baun didn’t earn starter-count PT over Demario Davis & Pete Werner. Prior to leaving the Saints, this fanbase primarily knew Baun as the guy who fumbled after he caught an interception, and thus questioned why Dennis Allen even had him on the field in coverage since he’s still a “pass rush specialist” in the minds of many. The “pass rush specialist” went from 2 sacks in 2023 on 301 defensive snaps, to 3.5 sacks on 939 defensive snaps in 2024. Two hundred fifty-five posts in the Zack Baun megathread and the “DA is a dumdum for letting Baun leave” crowd still hasn’t reached consensus as to what he even does best on the field. For example…


Zack Baun didn’t make hay this season rushing the passer. 3.5 sacks and 5 QB hits on 900+ snaps while also totaling 93 solo tackles tells me he primarily got it done 2-7 yards past the line of scrimmage, and playing next to Nakobe Dean tells me he did it in a system next to a linebacker who commands gameplan-level attention. As for an incentive-laden contract… why would a guy who couldn’t get on the field accept one of those? He took the Eagles contract specifically because they offered him starting LB playing time. Playing was more important to him than money.

Not arguing your stats but i think the reason alot of posters call him a pass rush specialist because when he was drafted most of his highlights was him getting to the qb and that kind of stuck.

But i think your post is on point. His biggest problem was and wouldve been was opportunity. I always felt DA ran this Big Nickel Base defense where the Nickel was like the 3rd LB, CG Johnson and Alontae Taylor were both very physical and had decent coverage skills so it always feels the SAM LB never gets a chance to shine in his defense

 

[St. Geezy]

Just to make it worse, Zach Baun signed a 1 year 3.5 mill contract with the Eagles, and we signed Willie Gay to a 1 year 3 million contract after he left...

Two things here.

1. Hindsight is 20/20. Virtually any Saints fan given those two options would choose Willie a year ago.

2. We offered that deal to Baun but he turned it down because he didn’t like his chances to play here.

 

[El Caliente]

It almost makes you wonder why they drafted him if they didn’t know how they were going to play him

I’m glad it’s working out for Bain, and how his success is a stick in the eye of our front office.

Makes me wonder about the Pels, and how management is screwing that team up.

 

[St. Widge]

The fact that these things happen, and there's no accountability, is why the Saints need a complete shakeup from the FO on down, but it will never happen.

The guy who didn't realize that Baun was a great off ball LB got fired. So, there was accountability.

 

[SuperSaint]

The guy who didn't realize that Baun was a great off ball LB got fired. So, there was accountability.

Hope so

 

[SuperSaint]

Two of the five finalists for DPOY are Zack Baun and Trey Hendrickson.

If these moves happened because of DA, then fine.

If not, more deserved firings need to happen.

 

[SaintStephen1]

That is hilarious

 

[RaginSaint93]

Yes we get it we let them walk. Can we put it to bed