Tag: Dennis Allen

Bears pass on Saints college scouting director Jeff Ireland in G.M. search

The Bears are hiring Ryan Poles as their next general manager, passing on Saints college scouting director Jeff Ireland:

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There’s a new Chicago Bears general manager, and it isn’t Jeff Ireland. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported that the Bears are finalizing a contract with Kansas City Chiefs assistant director of player personnel Ryan Poles on Tuesday; Ireland, the New Orleans Saints director of college scouting and assistant general manager, had also interviewed for the job.

So, for now, Ireland will be staying in New Orleans. He’s been vital in improving their approach to the annual NFL draft, helping the team find star talent in the early rounds while cutting down on draft busts in the later cycles. Having Ireland around to guide that process should help keep the roster loaded and competitive.

That’s doubly important with Sean Payton’s future so uncertain. Payton is reportedly mulling retirement from coaching after a series of challenging seasons, so maintaining continuity in other parts of the organization after his departure would be critical. Assuming he does end up stepping away, that is.

It’s also worth noting that Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is interviewing for the Bears head coaching job on Tuesday — so if he and Ireland were seen as a package deal, that’s now off the table. We’ll keep a close eye on that front as the situation develops.

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Steelers request interview with Saints secondary coach Kris Richard

Steelers request interview with Saints secondary coach Kris Richard

Well that’s distressing. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday evening that the Pittsburgh Steelers requested an interview with New Orleans Saints secondary coach Kris Richard concerning their vacant defensive coordinator position — a post Richard has held before with the Seattle Seahawks, prior to his successful run with the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive passing game coordinator.

Richard took the 2020 NFL season off and joined New Orleans last year to replace Aaron Glenn, who followed Dan Campbell to become the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator. If Richard interviews well and gets this job, it would mean a third secondary coach in as many years for the Saints. Obviously that’s not where you want to be with young starters like Paulson Adebo developing on the back end.

Hopefully the Saints can find a way to retain Richard, just as they worked out a compromise with coveted defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen last summer. He’s been a big part of their recent success and they’ll need all the quality assistants they can get with Dennis Allen interviewing for the Chicago Bears head coach job and Sean Payton mulling retirement. Continuity is key for good teams in the NFL.

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Mike Zimmer could be the biggest addition of the Saints offseason

Mike Zimmer’s Vikings run didn’t end with a Super Bowl, but he’s still an outstanding defensive coach. And he would be a great addition to Sean Payton’s Saints staff:

Mike Zimmer’s eight-year run with the Minnesota Vikings didn’t go as planned. His squad went 72-56-1 in the regular season but never won a Super Bowl, and their two playoff wins (out of five appearances) both came against the New Orleans Saints. Now he’s a 65-year-old free agent with an uncertain NFL future.

And Saints head coach Sean Payton would be wise to try and recruit him for New Orleans. Zimmer is an outstanding defensive coach, having built some of the most effective units in recent memory. His defenses never ranked lower than 14th in yards or 11th in points allowed from 2014 to 2019, only trailing off the last two years after injuries, age, and poor drafting eroded the depth chart. They had more finishes inside the top six in each category than outside of it during that span.

Landing with the Saints could be just what Zimmer needs to find a second wind for his coaching career, no matter what happens with Dennis Allen — the Saints’ defensive coordinator is scheduled to interview with the Chicago Bears soon for their vacant head coaching job. Adding his experienced eye to the coaching staff would be big.

It almost makes too much sense. Zimmer is one of the Payton’s oldest friends around the NFL, having worked together on Bill Parcells’ legendary Dallas Cowboys staff, with Payton’s offense running against Zimmer’s defense every day in practice. Bringing Zimmer in as a senior defensive assistant could really pay off with younger position coaches like Ryan Nielsen (defensive line/assistant head coach), Kris Richard (secondary), and Michael Hodges (linebackers) in prominent positions. If Allen ends up leaving for Chicago or another job, one of them would probably step up into his role as defensive coordinator. Zimmer would be a great resource for them to lean on.

And if Allen does stay put, maybe Zimmer can offer some insight to his blind spots. The Saints have really struggled to defend mobile quarterbacks lately, which was best illustrated in their two games with Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles the last two years. Hurts totaled 36 carries for 175 rushing yards and three scores against them. If Zimmer can patch up that vulnerability alone (which also played a part in frustrating losses to Daniel Jones’ New York Giants and Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills in 2021), it would justify getting him on payroll.

Of course you have to wonder if Zimmer would be interested in more of a supervisory role after running his own team for so many years. He’s overqualified for it, and probably wants to call his own shots as a defensive coordinator somewhere. That could happen in New Orleans, but a year away from the heavy responsibilities that come as a head coach might be good for him. It’s certainly been good for ex-Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who is drawing a lot of attention for a second shot after his great year managing the Dallas Cowboys defense.

And he wouldn’t be the only former head coach in a senior assistant role around the league: Jim Schwartz (formerly with the Detroit Lions) has that title on the Tennessee Titans staff, as does Mike Pettine (an ex-Cleveland Browns head coach) with the Bears, and Dom Capers (the first head coach for both the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans) in Detroit.

This specific title may be beneath Zimmer, but there’s precedent for this kind of move in the NFL. Payton and the Saints would be wise to at least give him a call. The worst thing he could say is no.

Do you agree or disagree? Let us know about it in the comments below!

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Bears head coach search adds Saints DC Dennis Allen to list of candidates

Bears head coach search adds Saints DC Dennis Allen to list of candidates

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There we go: NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported that the Chicago Bears have scheduled an interview with Dennis Allen for their vacant head coaching job next week, adding the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator to their list of candidates.

Allen has put together some outstanding defenses with the Saints in recent years and it was only a matter of time until he started getting more looks as a potential head coach. Here’s what I wrote of him earlier this offseason in previewing potential Saints losses on the coaching staff and front office:

“Allen, 49, interviewed for the open Miami Dolphins job in 2019 and the vacant Philadelphia Eagles position in 2020, and he has only seen his star rise higher since then. His defense was among the NFL’s best this season and he should draw more attention in the days and weeks ahead. His three-year run as the then-Oakland Raiders head coach didn’t go well (his Raiders teams went 8-28, and Allen was dismissed four games into his third season) but he’s obviously learned a lot from the experience and from returning to Sean Payton’s staff in New Orleans.”

Losing Allen would hurt, but Payton has assembled a strong group and could take the hit, depending on who leaves with him. Secondary coach Kris Richard has worked as a defensive play caller before, and defensive line/assistant head coach Ryan Nielsen seems poised to get another promotion sooner or later.

And while we’re really putting the cart before the horse here, let’s remember that one of Payton’s closest friends (and an old coworker on Bill Parcells’ Dallas Cowboys staff) is a free agent: former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, whose current NFL future is up in the air.

Interestingly, the Bears also interviewed Saints college scouting director/assistant general manager Jeff Ireland for their open G.M. position. It’s possible he and Allen could end up being a package deal in Chicago, though it’s worth noting Ireland has not received a second interview like other candidates.

As for Allen: he’s facing an uphill battle entering this late in the process. The Bears have already scheduled a second interview with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, one of seven head coach candidates to already speak with Chicago about the job. He’ll have to make a strong impression when he meets with team brass next week.

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Report: Bears to interview Saints DC Dennis Allen for head coaching vacancy

The Bears aren’t done interviewing head coaching candidates. They’re set to talk to Saints DC Dennis Allen.

The Chicago Bears are starting to schedule second interviews for their head coaching vacancy, but don’t appear to be done bringing other candidates in yet for their first round of interviews.

According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the Bears will be interviewing New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen sometime next week.

Allen has been the Saints defensive coordinator since 2015, slowly turning them from one of the worst defenses in the league, to one of the best over the course of seven seasons. He also spent time with the Saints in the mid-to-late 2000s as a positional coach on the defense, helping them win Super Bowl XLIV before getting his first crack as a defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos in 2011.

After one season with the Broncos, Allen was hired as the Oakland Raiders head coach in 2012. He compiled a dismal 8-28 record in two and a half seasons, finishing 4-12 in both 2012 and 2013. After an 0-4 start in 2014, Allen was fired.

Allen’s candidacy for the Bears job is interesting, considering they have already interviewed current Saints college scouting director Jeff Ireland and Miami Dolphins senior personnel director Reggie McKenzie for the general manager job. Ireland currently works with Allen and McKenzie hired him in his first major move when he was the Raiders general manager in 2012.

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Dennis Allen headlines potential Saints losses to 2022 hiring cycle

Which Saints coaches and execs could depart in the 2022 hiring cycle? Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has to top the list, ass does assistant GM Jeff Ireland:

Few coaching staffs were hit harder last year than the New Orleans Saints, who lost a number of key position coaches to other teams around the league — including their former tight ends coach Dan Campbell, who took secondary coach Aaron Glenn with him to go rebuild the Detroit Lions. Longtime quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi and defensive assistant Michael Wilhoite both joined Brandon Staley’s first-year Los Angeles Chargers regime.

Now the cycle is beginning again, and the Saints could experience more upheaval. So which of their coaches and executives could be on the move as jobs open up across the NFL? Whether they’re considered for a head coach position or a bigger role as a coordinator or assistant, the Saints have some attractive candidates on their roster. Let’s dig in, starting with the most obvious possible departure:

Tom Brady embodies poor sportsmanship, trash talks Saints sideline after late interception

Tom Brady embodies poor sportsmanship, trash talks Saints sideline after late interception

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It’s easy to root against Tom Brady. Few NFL players have cultivated a more insufferable persona over the last 20 years, consistently pointing to the chip on his shoulder despite racking up a series of Super Bowl wins, lucrative endorsement deals, and glossy documentary features on ESPN. So it’s particularly satisfying to see Brady frustrated in a loss, which has happened often in recent years when his Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their bandwagon full of fans have left games disappointed after being stomped by the New Orleans Saints.

After throwing an interception to Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson late in the game, Brady jogged to the Saints sideline and shouted at defensive coordinator/interim head coach Dennis Allen. In a video clip from the NBC broadcast widely shared on social media, Brady pretty clearly appeared to say, “Go [expletive] yourself,” as Allen clapped at his approach.

Maybe more experienced lip-readers came away with a different message. When asked about what he said in the encounter postgame, Brady wilted and replied, “Nothing. Just football.”

Entertaining as it may be, it’s really sad that Brady handles adversity this poorly. He’s been to the mountaintop more often than anyone else in the NFL, winning more championships and breaking more records than all of his peers. And he still isn’t satisfied with his success or able to take a setback on the chin. In meltdowns like this or his temper tantrum on the Tampa Bay sideline, lashing out and trashing team equipment, he looks more like a toddler than a 44-year-old multimillionaire. It’s a terrible example from someone with his platform and with so many young fans watching.

And let’s not act like there isn’t a double standard here. Many other players have been penalized and fined for taunting on lesser offenses than this. If the NFL is going to have stupid taunting penalties the least they could do is be consistent in calling them. What more does Brady need to do to be held accountable?

Whatever the case, the Saints left Tampa Bay with a lot to be happy about. They frustrated Brady and his vaunted offense at every turn and now they’ve swept him twice in two years — something that never happened during his decades in the AFC East. Maybe Brady can learn to lose more gracefully in more matchups with New Orleans.

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Report: Eagles to interview Saints DC Dennis Allen for head-coaching job

The Saints could be in danger of losing their defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, this offseason.

The New Orleans Saints had one of the best defenses in the NFL this season, ranking fifth in points and yards allowed. Unfortunately, they could be in danger of the guy who led that side of the ball this past season.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Eagles will interview Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for their head-coaching vacancy on Wednesday as Philadelphia searches for its replacement for Doug Pederson.

Allen has been the Saints’ defensive coordinator since 2015 and the team has ranked inside the top 15 in points allowed in each of the last four years. Losing Allen would be a huge blow to the Saints, who got stellar play from the defense this season.

Allen, 48, has previous head-coaching experience. He was the head coach of the Raiders from 2012-2014 but only went 8-28 during that three-year span.

Eagles slated to interview Saints DC Dennis Allen for head coaching job on Wednesday

Eagles slated to interview Saints DC Dennis Allen on Wednesday

Jeffrey Lurie made it clear that the Eagles wouldn’t rush to hire a head coach and another name has been added to the list of candidates.

Rush off a stint with one of the NFL’s fiercest defenses, Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will interview on Wednesday.

Through the first 12 games of the 2020 regular season, Allen has his defensive unit at or near the top of the NFL in most defensive statistics. The Saints were ranked No. 1 in total defense (288.5 yards per game), No. 2 in rush defense (76.1), No. 4 in pass defense (212.8), and No. 5 in scoring defense (20.1 points per game) through the first 12 weeks.

Per Nola.com, Saints’ linebacker Demario Davis called Allen one of the smartest coaches he’s ever worked with.

Now Allen has the chance to impress Jeffrey Lurie.

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The NFL’s best defensive play-callers

Great players make great defenses happen, but great coaching is just as important. Here are the NFL’s best defensive minds in 2020.

When you look at the NFL’s best defenses in 2020 — the ones that are able to stay consistently efficient-to-dominant in a league that sets up success in the passing game above all — there are mandatory characteristics that transcend coordinator and scheme. Especially in an era in which sub-packages and hybrid defenders are the norm as opposed to the outlier, modern defenses must have these three things:

  1. Front multiplicity and gap confusion. Great defenses rarely show the same fronts twice in a row from play to play. You may see a base front on one play, and then, some sort of wicked NASCAR or amoeba front on the next. Then, variants of those concepts as drives continue. Those different looks challenge offensive protection calls, especially when offenses are running packages with three or more receivers on 65% of their plays. Then, when you create gap confusion with different line stunts and multi-level blitzes, you wind up with some very uncomfortable quarterbacks and fractured passing games. How many defensive linemen have their hands down, and how many are standing up? Where are they attacking based on where they start?
  2. Muddied looks at the linebacker level. When your defense has one or more moneybacks or monsterbacks — players who can affect offenses everywhere from the line of scrimmage to the deep third — you have an extreme tactical advantage you can use in all kinds of different ways. Move beyond the traditional stay-at-home linebacker, as modern defenses have, and you are able to present clear pre-snap looks to a quarterback and his receivers, and then go about doing radically different things after the snap. Throw linebacker pressure from the A-gaps and then drop into coverage from there, and even Russell Wilson will lose his place.
  3. Coverage switches in the secondary. It is the job of every modern defensive coordinator and secondary coach to plant schematic and spacing inabilities in the mind of the opposing quarterback. This is done in the secondary through the refusal to run coverage based on what is shown pre-snap. What might look like a Cover-0 jailbreak blitz pre-snap turns into 2-Man. What might look like a man defense indicator based on reaction to offensive motion becomes zone. That single-high safety look you see before you take the ball from the center is actually Cover-2 or Quarters, and as the quarterback, you now have to re-focus — especially if you’re running heavy play-action, you turn your back to the defense at your second step, and you turn back around at your fourth or fifth step to see something entirely different than what you expected.

You’ll see different iterations of these concepts among the NFL’s best defensive play-callers in 2020, but you won’t see the absence of any of them. Here, with all that said, are the league’s best defensive minds this season, and the staple ideas that make those defenses great.