New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - NOLA.com New Orleans Saints' Jermon Bushrod takes showing vs. Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen in stride

New Orleans Saints starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod doesn't want to take all the credit.

Kerry Maloney/The Times-Picayune
The New Orleans Saints left tackle Jermon Bushrod, who is charged with protecting quarterback Drew Brees' blind side, said he gained valuable experience playing last season when injuries forced him into the starting lineup early on.
Although he more than held his own against Minnesota Vikings All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen in the Saints' 14-9 season-opening victory Thursday, Bushrod said it was an entire team effort that led to his success. So when asked if he thought he had won the battle against Allen, Bushrod was quick to deflect the attention.

"I would say we won the battle, " Bushrod said. "I really don't harp on individual-type things. We just went out there as 11. It's not an individual game, it's a team game. There were times I counted on my teammates to help me out, and vice versa. Everything just kind of plays hand in hand."
However, to Saints Coach Sean Payton and Bushrod's line mates, it was clear Bushrod had the upper hand, as Allen failed to generate much of a pass rush and wasn't a factor in slowing the Saints' second-half rushing attack.
Unlike last season, when Bushrod often needed help from a tight end or routine chip blocks from running backs against elite defensive ends, he was often left to battle Allen one-on-one Thursday.
Bushrod was flagged once for a false start, but Allen finished with just four tackles and no sacks. In his two games against Allen, including last season's 31-28 overtime NFC championship game victory, Bushrod has held Allen, who has totaled at least 14 ½ sacks in each of the past three season, to six tackles and no sacks.

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