Category: Dennis Allen

Dennis Allen’s Saints rank last in total defense through 6 weeks

The New Orleans Saints currently rank last in yards allowed. They’ve given up 1,000 yards in the last two games, but their issues go further back:

The New Orleans Saints have given up over 1,000 yards over the course of the past two games, and now there’s no team in the NFL who gives up more yards per game. The Kansas City Chiefs game was bad, but the way the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dismantled Dennis Allen’s unit was a special type of beating.

Yardage has been an issue for the Saints’ defense. It was masked by the fact New Orleans played “bend but don’t break” defense. The lack of points scored against the team has held off some criticism. That can no longer be done after seeing 50 points on the scoreboard.

The Philadelphia Eagles game is a perfect example of this. The Eagles regularly drove down the field against the Saints. Nick Sirianni went for it on multiple fourth downs and failed.

New Orleans forced two turnovers, and both were in Saints territory. When you end the game only giving up 15 points and forcing two turnovers, it’s easy to not pay attention to the 460 yards.

The defense hasn’t been stonewalling teams, and now they’re allowing points on top of that. Turnovers couldn’t save them this week. They forced multiple interceptions, but still gave up over 500 yards and 50 points.

Defense used to be the backbone of this team. Now, it’s a hindrance.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Dennis Allen says Saints will try everything to stop missing tackles

Dennis Allen says the Saints will try everything to stop missing tackles. If he can’t teach them fundamentals, he won’t be their coach for much longer:

It’s no secret what ails thee New Orleans Saints defense. They just gave up 1,000 yards in the space of a week between a Monday night game with the Kansas City Chiefs and a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following Sunday, and head coach Dennis Allen didn’t hesitate to point to the source of their problems.

“We didn’t tackle,” Allen said matter-of-factly after the Bucs game. “When you don’t tackle you give up explosive plays and you give up plays, and it kind of snowballed on us a little bit. It was not good enough.”

Those missed tackles were Allen’s first takeaway from the game. He said strong defense has been something the team has leaned on, but that wasn’t the case Sunday: “That’s on me. I’ve got to do a better job with our guys. I’ve got to make sure we understand what we’re doing, we’ve got to do more tackling drills, whatever the case may be. It was not a good defensive performance at all.”

Allen has been the architect of the defense for nearly a decade, having drafted, developed, and recruited many of the players on the field. To see that unit’s fundamentals collapse was a gut punch, especially after he and his staff had made tackling drills a point of emphasis at practice during the week. So what’s causing all these missed tackles from normally sure-handed players like Demario Davis and Paulson Adebo?

“Part of it’s angles, it’s technique, it’s wrapping up. A lot of fundamental things that we’re not good enough with the tackling. And I think it starts with leverage and angles. That’s where it starts, and then the fundamental of actually making a tackle. Got to do a better job of wrapping up. But that’s two weeks in a row we haven’t done a good job tackling, and that’s our biggest concern,” Allen said.

It’s a major problem and it’s only gotten worse. And the Saints don’t have time on their side. They kick off with the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. When asked if these missed tackles are something the team can clean  up in  just four days, Allen’s response was succinct.

“It’s something we’d better fix in four days,” Allen said gravelly. It might be overdramatic to say his job is on the line if it doesn’t get better, but this is how those situations develop. If he can’t get his team playing fundamental football, he won’t be their coach for much longer.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Dennis Allen explains why he’s starting a rookie QB after Derek Carr injury

Dennis Allen explains why he’s starting Spencer Rattler after Derek Carr injury: ‘In this particular game he gave us the best chance to win’

Dennis Allen delivered a bombshell on Wednesday when he announced that backup quarterback Spencer Rattler would take the reins from Derek Carr in Week 6’s game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The New Orleans Saints’ starter suffered a significant oblique muscle injury that’s going to keep him out for at least the next two games.

As to why the Saints are rolling with Rattler instead of the team’s other backup Jake Haener? Allen said that was a staff decision.

“We talked a lot as a staff about what we felt like was the best thing for us, and [anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media], that was the decision that we made. And we’re excited about him getting an opportunity to go in there, and  we’ll let him go play and see what he can do,” Allen said.

However, Allen kept his cards close to his vest in talking about what went into making this decision — as far as matchup preferences or the state of the offense given all of the injuries impacting the offensive line. Still, after meeting with his coaches, this was the course of action Allen felt was best for them this week.

“Internally we talked a lot about it and felt like in this particular game that he gave us the best chance to win,” Allen continued, “Both he and Jake have been practicing extremely hard, preparing to be the starter. It was kind of the conversation that we had at the beginning of the year, Jake would be the two to start but there wasn’t going to be any, basically, a kind of a week-to-week deal. And we just felt like, for this game, was going to give us the best opportunity.”

It’s surprising to see the Saints shift gears now after Rattler was inactive for each of their first four games. It was Haener going in each week whenever Carr missed time with an injury or the game’s result was put out of doubt. But Haener wasn’t drafted by this coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, and their assistants made the decision to draft Rattler and now they want to see what he can do with a full week of practice under his belt.

That just might save Allen’s job. He’s led the team into a 2-3 record for the second time in three seasons as their head coach, and they need some kind of a spark to snap their three-game losing streak. If Rattler can navigate a muddy pocket and bounce back from the occasional negative play as well as he did at South Carolina, it would give the team some real hope for the future. He added that Rattler will have a bit of a long leash. Allen feels that the rookie needs to play if he’s going to learn and improve, and fearing he could be pulled out of the game after one or two mistakes wouldn’t be helpful.

But that still means he’s got to play better than he did in preseason. Few of Rattler’s opponents from those exhibition games are dressing out on Sundays, and those that are got the better of him in his second preseason matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. For now, all Rattler should worry about is studying and preparing for his next opponent so he can earn another opportunity after that.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Dennis Allen’s Saints have an atrocious record against good teams

Dennis Allen’s Saints have an atrocious record against good teams. He’s guided them to a 2-8 record against opponents who had a winning record:

There’s a narrative surrounding the New Orleans Saints that they can’t beat good teams, and Monday night’s  loss to the Kansas City Chiefs only seems to support it. Head coach Dennis Allen said himself that the Chiefs outplayed and outcoached his squad. It’s tough to argue with that.

But it’s just the latest loss in what’s a become a pattern for Allen. Since he was hired as head coach in 2022, the Saints have fallen into a 2-8 record against opponents with winning records. Their wins came against the Dallas Cowboys earlier this season and the Gardner Minshew-led Philadelphia  Eagles two years ago.

It’s a concerning trend. Allen and his staff are routinely getting outfoxed by playoff teams and opponents who have seen a thing or two. Just like last season’s demoralizing loss to Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams, the Andy Reid-led Chiefs picked up on their tendencies and picked them apart.

If you’re curious, since 2022 the Saints are 12-10 against opponents who had losing records, and 4-3 versus those who took the field at .500. If you want to be charitable and write off 2022 since Allen didn’t have Derek Carr yet, the Saints are 8-4 against teams with losing records, 2-3 against those at .500, and 1-4 against those with winning records. But that split is gnarly, meaning they’re 8-4 against losing teams and 3-7 against those who were at or above .500.

And clearly that isn’t good enough. There’s no reason to think Allen is going to figure out how to beat better opponents after losing 49 of his first 75 games. He and his staff have real limitations in terms of their vision for the team and how they can win and coach their players, and it’s directly reflected in his record. He is what it says he is. The sooner general manager Mickey Loomis comes to grips with that fact, the better off they’ll be.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Dennis Allen says Saints were ‘outplayed, outcoached’ by Chiefs

When he’s right, he’s right. Dennis Allen says the New Orleans Saints were outplayed and outcoached by the Chiefs on “Monday Night Football:”

When he’s right, he’s right. Dennis Allen had the correct diagnosis after the New Orleans Saints lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on “Monday Night Football.” They ran into a Super Bowl contender who put a spotlight on all of the flaws they’ve been working to hide.

“I thought we got outplayed today, we got outcoached,” Allen said after the game. “Really couldn’t get anything going on either side of the ball.”

But this has happened far too often during Allen’s three season as head coach. Under his watch, the Saints are now 2-8 against teams who took the field with a winning record. They’re only 4-3 versus opponents who were sitting at .500 before kickoff. And Allen’s team has gone 12-10 against those with fewer wins than losses.

Sunday’s game was no different. Andy Reid coached circles around Allen, running for 139 yards on the ground (the second-most the Saints have allowed this season) and passing for 321 yards through the air. That’s the second-most passing yards Allen’s defense has given up since he was hired as head coach, trailing only the 325 yards they allowed to the Los Angeles Rams in last year’s late prime-time loss.

The inverse was true, too. As creative and impressive as Klint Kubiak’s offense looked to start the season, Steve Spagnuolo made them look pedestrian at best. Sure, injuries were a problem, but this was the first time Alvin Kamara was held to fewer than 100 scrimmage yards all season (he totaled 66). It’s ironic that Spagnuolo has done so well against his former team. He’s the defensive coordinator the Saints may have let go too soon. Allen has turned out to be the one they’re holding onto far too long.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints have struggled in prime-time games in the Dennis Allen era

Dennis Allen is 1-5 in night games as Saints head coach. He’s looking for Win No. 2 against Patrick Mahomes in prime time:

The New Orleans Saints haven’t been much of a national commodity since Drew Brees and Sean Payton left. That has been reflected in the amount of primetime games.

The Saints also haven’t performed well in the night games they’ve been given. Dennis Allen is still looking for his second win in prime time as the team’s head coach after going 1-5 the last two years.

To get his second win, he and Klint Kubiak will have to go through the Kansas City Chiefs. The defending Super Bowl champions feature Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce on offense and Steve Spagnuolo, Nick Bolton, Chris Jones, and Trent McDuffie. The Saints have an equally difficult task on both sides.

The Saints have had impressive wins under Allen, but they typically disappoint in primetime. The only victory came against the Carolina Panthers the year they had the worst record in the NFL.

Let’s repeat that: Allen is 1-5 in night games over the last two seasons. There have been really deflating losses in that bunch. The Saints looked putrid against the Cardinals, when Allen was infamously quoted as telling Andy Dalton “to keep doing what he’s doing” despite throwing a pick-six before halftime.

Then the last time they played in prime time, the Saints set out to prove they could beat a quality team in the Los Angeles Rams. They failed miserably. The situation feels similar to now. The Saints are aiming to prove what kind of team they are. Let’s hope the outcome is different.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Here’s what Kendre Miller needs to show his coaches to play vs. Chiefs

What could keep Kendre Miller off the field when the Saints kick off with the Chiefs on Monday night? Dennis Allen says there are a few hurdles in front of him:

New Orleans Saints fans got some positive injury news this week when Kendre Miller returned to practice, but the second-year running back may not be ready to suit up against the Kansas City Chiefs just yet. He’s been out of action with a hamstring injury since the first day of training camp back in July, but now he’s working hard to show his coaches what they need to see to give him the green light.

So what’s keeping him off the field now? Is it Miller’s health or command of the offense making hurdles for him moving forward? That’s what Saints head coach Dennis Allen was asked.

“I’d say both, you know what I mean?” Allen responded Saturday.

Allen continued: “Look the biggest thing, you know, has been health. Is he available? Can he get out and practice? Can he get out and do some things? And you can’t really find out whether he knows the offense until he goes out and starts practicing and doing some things. I think he had a good week of practice, and it was good having him out there. I was excited about having him out there. We’ll see how he continues to go and make our decisions as we move along.”

On paper, Miller should be a great fit running behind Klint Kubiak’s zone-heavy blocking scheme. He has the combination of twitched-up agility, patient vision, and real speed in the open field to do some damage. But these three practices this week were his first exposure to Kubiak’s system. The coaches just don’t have much to work with in designing the game plan, so it’s all projection.

So will Miller dress out on Monday? That might be overambitious. But he has a chance, and so long as he stays healthy and keeps stacking good days of practice, it shouldn’t be too long before he makes his 2024 debut.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Dennis Allen explains why the Saints cut wide receiver A.T. Perry

Dennis Allen explained why the Saints waived wide receiver A.T. Perry, and what the future may hold for him in the NFL:

The New  Orleans Saints surprised many of their fans this week by waiving wide receiver A.T. Perry, last year’s sixth-round draft pick out of Wake  Forest. Head coach Dennis Allen was asked about the decision during his regular press conference ahead of Monday night’s road game with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Allen says it was a combination of Perry’s underwhelming fit in the offense and the need for greater depth at other positions that forced their hand. Perry dealt with some minor injuries but was inactive for each of their first four games this season, and injuries had piled up along the offensive line.

“Probably the biggest thing that went into the decision, in terms of healthy inactives and guys we could create a spot with, we signed the offensive lineman (Connor McGovern, from the New York Jets practice squad). That’s really what that boiled down to,” Allen said Saturday.

When pressed, Allen continued: “Sometimes you make some moves because it’s roster management moves. I still think he’s got some ability. So we’ll see what happens, he’ll have to go through the waiver claim, which happens on Monday, and then we’ll go from there.”

Allen added that the Saints would “absolutely” like to re-sign Perry to the practice squad if he clears waivers, so there’s a chance we haven’t seen the last of him just yet. How strong those odds are depends on how the same teams that passed on Perry in the draft last year feel about him now. Everyone needs receivers, and there aren’t many players his size who move as smoothly as he does. He should garner some attention on the waiver wire.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Dennis Allen called out Saints’ underwhelming secondary targets on offense

Dennis Allen is calling for someone outside of Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Taysom Hill to step up in the Saints offense:

The New Orleans Saints lack depth at offensive playmaker. Taysom Hill is a do it all player, who’s impact on the team is even more apparent in his absence. Alvin Kamara is the only impactful running back on the roster.

When you look at the passing attack specifically, Derek Carr primarily throws the ball to Kamara, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. After that there’s a steep dropoff.

Carr previously commented on the lack of targets for players after the Big 3. He pointed towards game-planning as a reason for funneling so many passes to his top options. Dennis Allen is now calling for players behind them to step up.

Saints News Network’s John Hendrix shared Allen’s comment: “We got to find some other guys that can make plays for us other than Alvin, Olave, Taysom.”

Allen went on to give credit to Shaheed, too, adding: “I thought Rashid did some good things from an offensive perspective.” The muffed punt was clearly still on Allen’s mind, but Shaheed is a consistent part of the offensive game plan.

WWL’s Jeff Nowak found a stat that perfectly describes the reliance on those players. Outside of the four mentioned above, everyone else is responsible for 24 yards over the last three weeks. Not 24 yards per game, 24 yards total. Juwan Johnson hasn’t made enough plays at tight end, while guys like A.T. Perry and Bub Means can’t even dress out at wide receiver.

Allen is correct. The Saints need more weapons. It’d be best if it came from the tight ends or another running back. Those positions could help target the middle of the field or provide another running threat. But with someone like Davante Adams expressing interest in a trade to New Orleans, you have to wonder if that’s a real option, too.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Dennis Allen says the Saints offense needs more firepower

Dennis Allen says the Saints offense needs more firepower. Underperforming veterans need to step up, but so do the draft picks watching games in sweatpants:

The New Orleans Saints have a good set of options at the skills positions, but good is the enemy of great. And Saints head coach Dennis Allen is looking for someone to step up now that injuries have hit the top of the depth chart.

Chris Olave played through a hamstring injury against the Atlanta Falcons. Taysom Hill scored both of the team’s first two touchdowns before exiting with a ribs issue. That meant an even heavier workload than normal for Alvin Kamara, and a wider range of responsibilities for Rashid Shaheed. And Allen needs to see other guys pulling their weight.

“We got to find some other guys that can make plays for us other than Alvin, Olave, Taysom,” Allen said Monday, looking back at Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. “I thought Rashid did some good things from an offensive perspective.”

Shaheed obviously made a big mistake on special teams by muffing an early punt which Atlanta recovered for a touchdown, but he did catch 8 of his 11 targets for 83 yards. That trailed Olave’s 8 receptions (on 10 targets) and 87 yards for the team lead. Kamara had 77 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards. Some more options would be nice.

Maybe Kendre Miller can provide a spark, but he has a lot to prove after missing all of training camp and the first four games with a hamstring injury. Allen has said before that he’s anxious to see whether Miller has even picked up the offense without taking any practice reps in it.

One obvious pick to step up? Juwan Johnson. He’s been a non-factor at best in Klint Kubiak’s offense, which was the case for him during most of last season, too. If he can’t get open and catch passes they need to find someone who can.

It’s disappointing when you look at their recent draft history and see guys like Miller, A.T. Perry, and Bub Means watching so many games in sweatpants. Allen is right that players need to step up outside their top talents. At the same time, the players he and his staff have drafted are not meeting expectations. They aren’t going to sign any free agents who can outplay guys already in the building, and it’s not looking like they’ll be in position to make a bold trade before the deadline in November. But if Allen’s comments are anything to go by, something is about to change.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]