Zack Baun didn't have a lot of experience at inside linebacker. The Eagles saw enough.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun (53) attempts to block Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) during the first half of an NFL football game at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.

com , The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Thirty-three snaps. When Vic Fangio watched the New Orleans Saints defense last season, that’s how many snaps he had to evaluate Zack Baun at inside linebacker. Though Baun played more than that, the Saints used their former third-round pick primarily as an edge rusher.



And so if Fangio, the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator evaluating potential free agent fits, wanted to watch more of Baun on the inside — he'd have to go back years. And even then, there wasn’t much. “The way they adjusted their defense in New Orleans, on occasion, (Baun) would end up as an inside linebacker,” Fangio told reporters in Philadelphia.

“Not very often. And from those few plays, I thought he could do it. “Was I going to bet my life savings on it? No.

But I had a good feeling he could do it.” The Eagles were willing to bet on Fangio’s evaluation, and through two games, New Orleans’ loss has been Philadelphia’s gain. Since signing a modest one-year, $3.

5 million deal to join the Eagles, Baun has not only become a Day 1 starter for his new team – but he’s done so at a position where he seemed to be miscast in New Orleans. In New Orleans, inside linebacker never looked like a comfortable fit for Baun. Even before they moved him to a pass rusher — Baun's natural position in college — the Saints used Baun as an outside linebacker.

But Fangio saw a glimpse. And ahead of Sunday’s Saints-Eagles matchup, Baun is tied for second in tackles with 24 — 15 of which came in Philadelphia’s opener against the Green Bay Packers. “I’m happy for Zack,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said.

“He’s in a scheme and a place where he’s getting an opportunity to get out there and play. And he’s done some good things for those guys. I’m happy that he’s having success.

I don’t want him to have success on Sunday, but I’m happy he’s having success.” Allen said a change in scenery can be rewarding for players like Baun. What’s surprising, in this case, is that Baun didn’t land at a spot that would utilize him off the edge.

The Eagles have rushed Baun on 22% of opposing dropbacks, according to The Athletic. But only 16 of his 127 defensive snaps have come on the defensive line, according to Pro Football Focus. Even Baun, who had two sacks in the opener, was surprised at his usage in Philly.

But Fangio is a “smart friggin guy,” Baun said. “It’s all about development,” Baun told reporters, including NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I didn’t come into the league knowing I’d be good at inside linebacker.

I knew it’d take time. There were tough times at times, but I kept my head down and kept working.”.