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Zack Baun continues to surprise everyone in the NFL — except the Eagles originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
ARLINGTON, Texas — After yet another incredible performance, it’s fair to say Zack Baun has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL season.
It seems like everyone is at least a bit surprised to see how well Baun is playing this season.
Except Baun.
“No, I don’t think so,” Baun said after Sunday’s 34-6 win over the Cowboys. “I think through my time in New Orleans, of course people say I was an on-ball linebacker, but when I was in New Orleans, I was putting in the time, putting in just the same amount of work as the starters were.
“Just to prepare for a moment like this, my opportunity. And all I had to do was take advantage and just let it fly.”
In Sunday’s blowout win, Baun again made the most of his opportunity, filling up the stat sheet with 8 combined tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 fumble recovery. Just as he has been every week this season, Baun was all over the field.
Not bad for a guy the Eagles signed to a modest one-year deal in free agency.
At the time, at least from the outside, it seemed unlikely that Baun would crack the Eagles’ starting lineup as an off-ball linebacker. But defensive coordinator Vic Fangio saw something in Baun, put him there during OTAs and Baun hasn’t left since.
Fangio has coached linebackers for a long time in the NFL and trusted his eyes with his evaluation. It looks like he nailed it. And it has meant a lot to Baun to have the veteran defensive coordinator’s support.
“He had full trust in me and my abilities,” Baun said. “I think that really helped me in my transition as well. Everybody wants to be wanted, and everyone wants for someone to have a vision for them and a plan, and he definitely had that and it feels really good.”
Baun’s first forced fumble on Sunday came late in the second quarter with the Cowboys just 6 yards from the end zone. He popped…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/zack-baun-continues-surprise-everyone-120000944.html
Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia
Publish date : 2024-11-11 12:00:00
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