Pad About You!
Birds D Looks To Start Of Padded Practices For Revenge Vs. Offense
PHILADELPHIA – Zack Baun light-heartedly opposed the notion that the Eagles’ offense has gotten the better of the defense through four practices, noting how the rising intensity levels that accompany the pads coming on can alter that perception.
“It’s a big difference,” Baun said. “I don’t know if I agree with that statement. We got a lot of guys in the backfield and a lot of guys making plays right now.
“But it’s different when the pads come on. A lot more physical and you really find out who’s who and what’s what.”
Baun, perhaps the poster child for an oft-scrutinized Eagles linebacker room due to his limited experience inside, patrols the second level of a reconfigured defense presided over by longtime coordinator Vic Fangio.
While many of the surrounding defensive components have rotated in and out of the lineup like moving parts, Baun’s status as a starter has remained unchanged at this point.
While Baun is hardly immune from personnel shuffling, the 27-year-old isn’t looking too far ahead, instead fixated on showcasing daily consistency to secure his role.
“Just day-by-day, keep putting it on film and showing the coaches and my teammates what I’m capable of and what I can do,” he said. “And just gaining trust, gaining trust in the system and their ability right now.”
Primarily an edge rusher while with the New Orleans Saints – though he logged some snaps at inside linebacker – Baun was surprisingly unveiled as a first-team linebacker during spring practices despite a limited defensive resume through four seasons.
No wonder he twice mentioned that he had no expectations coming to the Eagles other than an opportunity to compete.
For perspective, Baun has accumulated almost half as many defensive snaps in his career (660) when compared to his special teams snap share (1,293).
But Baun has appeared to adapt seamlessly to Fangio’s scheme, in which his pass rush and coverage acumen provide added value.
His long arms and lean build would seem to suggest an effective situational rusher, but Baun has shown well in space, using his length to impact throwing windows.
He’s also demonstrated the range to cover tight ends and track running backs out of the backfield.
Baun believes his multifaceted skill-set translates favorably to Fangio’s defense and said learning the inside linebacker would make it easier to transition back outside if needed.
“I really like his scheme,” he said. “Like I said in the spring, a lot of similar things I did in college. It protects guys in a lot of different areas and also allows a lot of guys to do a lot of different things and disguise coverage. You don’t really know what we’re doing.”
As for the Eagles’ offense, the high-octane unit has made it appear to onlookers that it’s getting the best of a defense that’s in transition, with play action and misdirection providing a unique set of challenges.
And aside from a handful of drops, the ball has rarely hit the ground, with the pass defense providing little resistance and proving vulnerable to allowing short-to-intermediate passes.
As Baun said, however, the pads – and the physicality that they symbolize – should add some context and even things out a bit.
And the position expected to experience the most significant boost in production – and perception, as a result – should be the revamped second level, a unit offering considerably more athleticism, range and optionality than the previous iteration.
Four practices in, Baun has seen enough to feel confident in the complexion of the group.
“I think we got a fantastic room,” he beamed. “Really no weaknesses, no weak points. Everyone can play ball. And then I think Jeremiah Trotter [Jr.] is doing a really good job picking up this defense. And then his physical attributes as well are really top-notch.”
Baun, however, is aware that nothing is etched in stone this time of the year, with each practice representing an opportunity to further ingratiate to coaches and teammates.
So far, though, Baun has done little to lose his place in the pecking order. But after a Saints tenure that featured volatile usage and the need for patience, Baun isn’t getting ahead of himself.
“There’s no guarantees in this league,” he said. “I’ve been in the league for four years, I know how this thing goes. Every day you come out here it’s constant competition, and you’re always striving to do your best and show your coaches and your teammates what you can do.”
– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.
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