N/S Zack Baun: Top Graded LB / DPOY cand. [Why Baun Isn’t Still a Saint Thread] (8 Viewers)

[DaveXA]

Joint responsibility from Allen and Loomis.

Allen never saw Baun as good enough to overtake Werner or Davis. He saw Werner as valuable enough to warrant a contract extension, which was at least partially a reaction to losing two LB's to FA in the past two offseasons. Of course, I think anyone here would have preferred to give that money to Baun in hindsight. I can't imagine Werner ever turning in a season like Baun did in his first full-time starting year.

Loomis had us somewhat stuck with Davis due to excessive dead money on a 35 year old LB, which led to a contract extension last offseason to keep our cap in order. That's also money that could have been given to Baun, but it doesn't matter much since Allen didn't see Baun as worthy of starting snaps.

This was entirely on Dennis Allen. If Allen uses him correctly, Baun would have been happy to stay. He was clear on why he wanted to go to Philly. He wanted to be a full-time starter.

In that case, Loomis would have done what he needed to do to sign him.

I gave Allen the benefit of the doubt the first 2 years. After his 2nd year, I was pretty much done and wanted him out. Should have been gone last season and a new coach maybe tries to get Baun to stay. I guess that could be an argument for why Loomis is on the hook, at least in part.

 

[SystemShock]

Zach Baun: the new Ron Ninkovich.

It happens all the time, a player doesn't do well in one place then does well in another. It may be coaching, or system, or being on a much better team with much better players around you, or the light just turns on...

These grapes are really sour.

 

[St. Geezy]

Y’all remember that time Baun caught a pick and then fumbled it back and we all had kind of a “That figures” attitude about it, as if he’s some mistake prone guy? All the while, end of play mistake aside, he was showing us that he was a true playmaker.

Fun times.

 

[SaintsMan209]

Dennis Allen can’t evaluate talent. He literally didn’t develop anyone and he gave chances to people who didn’t deserve them. Too bad so sad, hard lesson learned for this franchise.

 

[Rouxble]

This was entirely on Dennis Allen. If Allen uses him correctly, Baun would have been happy to stay. He was clear on why he wanted to go to Philly. He wanted to be a full-time starter.

In that case, Loomis would have done what he needed to do to sign him.

I gave Allen the benefit of the doubt the first 2 years. After his 2nd year, I was pretty much done and wanted him out. Should have been gone last season and a new coach maybe tries to get Baun to stay. I guess that could be an argument for why Loomis is on the hook, at least in part.

My counterpoint would be that Allen was somewhat forced to play Davis. It was definitely his choice on Werner, but in the NFL there will always be pressure to play the guys that earn the most. Davis had been playing well, but it wouldn’t have been crazy to let him walk in 2024 for Baun due to his age.

Since we gave him the contract extension to help us get under the cap, he was going to play.

EDIT: For additional context, Davis was the 10th highest paid ILB in the league last year. He's currently in line to be the 4th highest paid in 2025 before any new contracts are signed.

 

[Archie's Boyz]

Don't forget Anzalone. He goes to Detroit and becomes a solid starter.

 

[platinumvinnyv]

Baun is drafted by your team. Dude is in your facility every day, but primarily plays special teams. Can not crack the starting lineup. Contract is due, you try to resign him, but he wants more playing time. Ends up with another team and is lighting the league on fire.......in consideration for DPOY.

Huh? Happens all the time, right?

Even when the scouts hit, the Saints miss. Who Dat!!!

I think it was the scheme. Allen had a scheme he basically played a 2 LB system and Baun had no where to shine in scheme DA ran. Also I think we get so focus on external events that we never know Baun might stepped his game up, knowing he had a great opportunity. I'm personally happy seeing him succeed he always seem to have a great attitude and took advantage of his limited opportunities here

 

[Rouxble]

I think it was the scheme. Allen had a scheme he basically played a 2 LB system and Baun had no where to shine in scheme DA ran. Also I think we get so focus on external events that we never know Baun might stepped his game up, knowing he had a great opportunity. I'm personally happy seeing him succeed he always seem to have a great attitude and took advantage of his limited opportunities here

What’s funny is that the Eagles more or less put him in the same scheme that he wasn’t good enough for here. You can call the Eagles a 3-4 base defense, but they played their nickel defense all last night, which is basically a 4-2-5.

 

[3ParStillDriver]

Don't forget Anzalone. He goes to Detroit and becomes a solid starter.

He was really good here but couldn't stay healthy. If someone sneezed in his direction, his shoulder or something else always got hurt. The Saints didn't let him go because he wasn't performing. They let him walk because he was quite literally always injured.

 

[livefromDC]

Zach Baun: the new Ron Ninkovich.

It happens all the time, a player doesn't do well in one place then does well in another. It may be coaching, or system, or being on a much better team with much better players around you, or the light just turns on...

These grapes are really sour.

There's a difference between not doing well, and not given an opportunity. Rob Ninkovich didn't play well for the Saints. I think John Jenkins was another. Baun didn't really get an opportunity at his most natural, obvious position.

 

[platinumvinnyv]

What’s funny is that the Eagles more or less put him in the same scheme that he wasn’t good enough for here. You can call the Eagles a 3-4 base defense, but they played their nickel defense all last night, which is basically a 4-2-5.

Maybe so, I guess I'm basing it off what I saw here when he played the saints liek week 3. He was the SLB and was on or close to the Line of Scrimmage most of the game. I'm not going lie and say I watch a whole bunch of eagles game. Based on what he did on the saints I say he was in perfect position to maximize his skill set. When he was on the saints as player and injuries happened I felt he would get decent pressure when rushing and always seemed inconsistent in coverage. He would make a great play then seemed to be lost in zone the next.

 

[sfidc3]

He was really good here but couldn't stay healthy. If someone sneezed in his direction, his shoulder or something else always got hurt. The Saints didn't let him go because he wasn't performing. They let him walk because he was quite literally always injured.

Yup, that's unfair....Anzalone couldn't stay healthy.....with Hendrickson and Baun, regardless of the circumstances, for some reason the Saints didn't realize what they had in either player.....

One is an anomaly but 2 players we drafted that are no longer here and are in their prime and both DPOY candidates? Hard to defend.....(pun intended).....

 

[Bayouboy]

One is an anomaly but 2 players we drafted that are no longer here and are in their prime and both DPOY candidates? Hard to defend.....(pun intended).....

Not hindsight, but I thought it was a mistake to let Hendrickson walk. He had outperformed Davenport. I assumed it was due to our salary cap situation, but some say the Saints just weren't particularly high on Hendrickson for whatever reason. Now he's double digit sacks year after year and DPOY nominee. It's just maddening to see these guys you drafted at the top of the league in defense playing on someone else's team.

 

[platinumvinnyv]

Not hindsight, but I thought it was a mistake to let Hendrickson walk. He had outperformed Davenport. I assumed it was due to our salary cap situation, but some say the Saints just weren't particularly high on Hendrickson for whatever reason. Now he's double digit sacks year after year and DPOY nominee. It's just maddening to see these guys you drafted at the top of the league in defense playing on someone else's team.

Davenport contract wasnt up he was still on his rookie contract and we offer Hendrickson a contract but the Bengals offered a much BIGGER contract that the saints wasnt willing to match. Trey Signed a 4 yr 60 Mil contract, just as comparison in 2019 our Best lineman Cam Jordan sign a 3yr 52.5 mil extension. Bengals bet the farm on hendrickson and it panned out. But the saints didnt like hendrickson walk Bengals paid him to run

 

[BreesusSaves]

Bengals just hired the man with the secret sauce for the Saints linebackers. Michael Hodges has been excellent here replacing Mike Nolan.