Latest news with #Baun
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles' training camp: Jihaad Campbell's versatility could make Zack Baun even better
Jihaad Campbell learning both inside linebacker positions could allow the Eagles to utilize All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun more as a pass rusher in 2025 Zack Baun was initially signed by Philadelphia last off-season to add pass rush prowess and versatility to the Eagles' defense. Baun went on to become a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. The Eagles selected Jihaad Campbell in the draft, and on Saturday, the former Alabama star confirmed that he has been working out at both inside linebacker positions. Campbell learning Baun's spot could provide Philadelphia with a scenario where Nakobe Dean or Jeremiah Trotter Jr. plays the other linebacker spot alongside Campbell, allowing Baun to rush the passer more in 2025. The Erial, New Jersey native was named to the first-team All-SEC in 2024 after leading the team with 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Baun led the top-ranked total defense with 151 tackles and five forced fumbles in 2024. He also added one interception. He was one of two players since at least 2000 with 150-plus tackles and five-plus forced fumbles in a season (the Colts' Zaire Franklin also did so in 2024).
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin alumnus included in ESPN's top off-ball linebacker ranking for 2025 NFL season
Former Wisconsin football standout Zack Baun was included in ESPN's list of the top 10 off-ball linebackers ahead of the 2025 NFL season earlier this month. Baun is the third former Badger to receive a position on the outlet's preseason positional rankings, joining two-time Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor (running backs) and defensive legend T.J. Watt (edge rushers). The off-ball linebacker list is powered by a feedback from dozens of NFL league executives, coaches and scouts, which ESPN then parlays into a top 10 ranking based on their vote totals, composite average position and information from interviews. Following that method, the outlet listed Baun as the No. 3 off-ball linebacker in the NFL ahead of this coming season. At No. 3, Baun is sandwiched between Baltimore Ravens superstar Roquan Smith (No. 2) and Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl winner Nick Bolton (No. 4). Four-time first-team All-Pro Fred Warner earned the top spot, followed by Washington Commanders' rising star Frankie Luvu (No. 5), Chicago Bear Tremaine Edmunds (No. 6), Buccaneers veteran Lavonte David (No. 7), second-year Dallas Cowboy DeMarvarion Overshown (No. 8), Denver Bronco Dre Greenlaw (No. 9) and New York Jet Quincy Williams (No. 10). ProFootballFocus' list of the top 32 linebackers ahead of 2025 had Baun at No. 2 behind only Warner, who is widely considered the best linebacker of his decade. Entering his second year in Philadelphia, it appears as if Baun is poised to become a household name at this stage of his career. The Wisconsin native's numbers convey the same message. In 16 starts for the Eagles, who hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in a dominant win over the Chiefs this winter, the former Badger registered 151 tackles, 11 for loss, five quarterback hits, 3 1/2 sacks, four pass deflections, five forced fumbles and an interception. By the season's end, Baun was named a first-team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler and a finalist for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award alongside T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson and Patrick Surtain II (winner). In the postseason, Baun was responsible for 33 total tackles (20 solo), two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one forced fumble across four playoff games. In Super Bowl 59, he notched a team-best seven tackles (three solo) and a crucial interception on three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. Baun's explosive year led to a three-year, $51 million contract extension with Philadelphia this offseason. Baun's Eagles will begin their season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4 at Lincoln Financial Field. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Zack Baun Ends Fan Panic With Perfect 12-Word Message
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. We've all watched the Philadelphia Eagles for a while now. We may not have watched the game as long as someone who remembers the AFL/NFL merger, but we've certainly seen enough to make educated guesses. We've seen trends, a ton of football, and so many offseasons. We've seen divisional realignment and the NFL going from six divisions to eight. Raise your hand if you remember when the Arizona Cardinals were in the NFC East. Some memories are tougher, such as Reggie White leaving the Eagles in free agency. As sad as that was, however, everyone learned something from it. Losing the Minister of Defense still hurts, but life went on. That being said, an offseason like the most recent, one where so many familiar faces were lost, can be overcome. If you need a shot of confidence, look no further than Zack Baun's direction. Zack Baun #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana Zack Baun #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, LouisianaEagles All-Pro Zack Baun Eases Fan and Media Panic With 12 words Coooer DeJean and Reed Blankenship have hit a home run with their Exciting Mics brand. Their podcast is new, but it's loads of fun. Recently, they have interviewed Saquon Barkley. On an even more recent episode, Zack Baun sat down for a conversation. Baun signed an extension after the Super Bowl. He also saw the mass exodus by so many Eagles defenders that we all witnessed during free agency. Fans and the media panicked, but the fan favorite hasn't lost any of his confidence. "I feel like we're miles ahead of where we were last year"... Zack Baun on the Eagles defense heading into the season: 'I feel like we're miles ahead of where we were last year' — Exciting Mics (@excitingmics) June 12, 2025 Those were Baun's words during his interview with Reed and Coop. It sounds simple enough to say, but this is Philly. People need action more than words. Howie Roseman and his staff attacked free agency and the draft, stacking the defense with hungry players looking to make an impact. Philadelphia lost Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Darius Slay. They lost Isaiah Rodgers, Oren Burks, and Avonte Maddox. This offseason, they traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson away. Eventually, they moved on from Bryce Huff, but they've stacked the cupboard with low-risk signings and several exciting draftees. Philly is good at this. Adoree Jackson and Azeez Ojulari find their way to Philly from a rival. Josh Uche is another of the free-agent signings. So is Patrick Johnson. During the NFL Draft, they added Jihaad Campbell, Smael Mondon, Ty Robinson, and Andrew Mukuba. Philly didn't sit idly with their losses. They held serve at several positions and, dare we say, they upgraded at some others. They're also infused with youth. Guys like Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Kelee Ringo await their opportunities. Their time is now, and the consensus is they are ready. Vic Fangio has tons of talent to work with. All of that has been said to say this. Take Baun's words for it. Philly will be just fine on defense in 2025. Believe it or not, they may be better than they were last season.
Newsweek
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Eagles Star Feels Weight of Massive Expectations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Spending big on a linebacker was never really in the cards for Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman in the past. The veteran Zack Baun was good enough to change the front office leader's mind. For Baun, he's grateful to be rewarded after such a strong season on the defensive side of the ball for the Eagles. At the time same time, the pressure is turned up for him to live up to the expectations of becoming the linebacker who got paid in Philadelphia when the position didn't seem as valued in the past. "Definitely valued. Definitely appreciated, and we appreciate that as well," Baun told reporters this week, according to Zach Berman. "It also comes with a lot of responsibility. There's a lot of money in our room now. And that's also a standard that was set in that room last year." Zack Baun on the newfound investment at LB in Philly: "Definitely valued. Definitely appreciated. And we appreciate that as well. It also comes with a lot of responsibility. There's a lot of money in our room now. And that's also a standard that was set in that room last year."… — Zach Berman (@ZBerm) June 10, 2025 Baun helped lead a strong defensive unit for Philadelphia. The 28-year-old signed a one-year deal with the team and made it difficult for the Eagles to think about life without him after they watched him produce 151 tackles on the year through 16 games. The heavy production didn't stop during the regular season. In the playoffs, Baun appeared in all four games, including the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX victory. Baun led the team in postseason tackles with 33. He also had two interceptions, one of which came during the Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes, which put the Eagles' offense in the red zone immediately. Zack Baun #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles lines up before the snap during an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia,... Zack Baun #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles lines up before the snap during an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MoreWith a Super Bowl win, the Eagles knew key members of their roster could be flight risks in free agency as many overachieved consistently. Baun was on that list. From 2020 to 2023, Baun started just 14 of the 62 games he played with the Saints. He totaled 88 tackles, two sacks, and one interception across four seasons. During his final season with the Saints, Baun tied his career-high in tackles with 30. The Eagles saw something special in Baun and decided to bring him on with hopes that a promotion could help him reach new heights. It was evident they made the right choice. And since they spotted something special in Baun before he was registering over 150 tackles in a season, the Eagles wanted to continue their investment in the 28-year-old defensive star. Baun is signed on with the Eagles for three seasons. He's expected to collect up to $51 million over that time, with over $30 million guaranteed. It's a contract that's well-deserved and appreciated by Baun, but he seems to understand that expectations are through the roof for the 2025 NFL season.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US rail traffic ekes out another gain over 2024
U.S. weekly rail traffic remained above 2024 levels for the week that ended on Saturday — but barely. According to the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week was 488,709 carloads and intermodal units, a 0.7% gain over the same week in 2024. It marked the 13th consecutive week in which traffic has been above year-ago figures, but the smallest gain during that period. The overall figure includes 226,091 carloads, up 3.8%, and 262,618 containers and trailers, a decrease of 1.8% compared to the corresponding week in 2024. Gainers and decliners were evenly split for the week. Coal shipments topped all commodity increases, up 12.1%, followed by motor vehicles and parts, 4.1%, and nonmetallic minerals, 3.5%Through 21 weeks, 2025 volume is 10,280,643 carloads and intermodal units, a 4.9% gain over the same period in 2024. That includes 4,580,934 carloads, up 2.3%, and 5,699,709 intermodal units, up 4.9%. North American traffic for the week, as reported by nine U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads, was 675,811 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.8% from the same week a year ago. That included 330,466 carloads, up 4.5%, and 345,345 containers and trailers, down 0.8%. The year-to-date volume for North America is 14,173,143 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.3% from the first 21 weeks of 2024. That includes 3,407,247 carloads and intermodal units in Canada, a gain of 0.7%, and 485,523 carloads and intermodal units in Mexico, a decrease of 10.1%. Subscribe to FreightWaves' Rail e-newsletter and get the latest insights on rail freight right in your more articles by Stuart Chirls railroad has 100 extra locomotives ready to handle a container surge Baun joins railcar builder Greenbrier as chief commercial officer Norfolk Southern expands short line interchange improvement program Rail agenda steams up as short lines blitz Congress The post US rail traffic ekes out another gain over 2024 appeared first on FreightWaves.
