Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller

Danno · 02-06-2024, 10:20 PM

Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller

NFL analyst Steve Patton ranked every defensive play caller from the 2023 season based on what he calls “coverage and market efficiency with team constraints” which examines how each defense performed relative to absences (for injuries and suspensions) and quality of opposition, among other factors.

And Allen came out on top. You don’t need to invent new metrics to see why. He fielded the league’s fourth-best defense on third downs (allowing a conversion on just 34.5% of downs) and the third-best unit on fourth downs (42.3%, with opponents going 11-for-26). Despite getting little production from his pass rush — the Saints finished with the NFL’s second-lowest pressure rate (15.1%) and fourth-worst sacks rate (5.7%) — Allen’s secondary held up even with Marshon Lattimore missing seven games to an injury. They allowed the 10th-fewest passing yards per game (207.3) and tied for the third-most interceptions (18).

But they weren’t perfect. Allen hasn’t been able to micromanage the run defense after being promoted to head coach, and it shows: even after drafting a first-round defensive tackle and signing two veteran free agents, New Orleans finished inside the bottom-10 in both yards per carry (4.4) and rushing yards per game (119.9). And he has to take the blame for a Saints pass rush that was asleep at the wheel for much of the season. Of their 34 sacks on the season, 15 came in the last five games. Allen’s reluctance to use undersized pass rushers like Zack Baun until the season was effectively over is a major blind spot in his coaching philosophy.

https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2024...ource=facebook

Sinner · 02-06-2024, 10:36 PM

Is he still around?

saintsfan1976 · 02-07-2024, 04:22 AM

And replacing his entire offensive staff may have been his greatest call.

Patiently optimistic.

AsylumGuido · 02-07-2024, 08:05 AM

I was looking for a place to post that, Danno. It didn't fit anywhere so its own thread works best.

I'm expecting Allen to give Kubiak a lot of autonomy when it comes to the offense. Let Dennis keep tight reins on the defense.

dizzle88 · 02-07-2024, 08:59 AM

In the second half yes.

Not in the first half when we get outscored by 27 points.

Sinner · 02-07-2024, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

I was looking for a place to post that, Danno. It didn't fit anywhere so its own thread works best.

I'm expecting Allen to give Kubiak a lot of autonomy when it comes to the offense. Let Dennis keep tight reins on the defense.

He couldn’t keep tight reins on his own shoelaces.

AsylumGuido · 02-07-2024, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by dizzle88

In the second half yes.

Not in the first half when we get outscored by 27 points.

When did that happen? We only gave up 27 or more points in a game five times all season. None of those games had that many scored in the first half.

Rugby Saint II · 02-08-2024, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

When did that happen? We only gave up 27 or more points in a game five times all season. None of those games had that many scored in the first half.

I think he was being facetious. He has a good point though.

dizzle88 · 02-08-2024, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

When did that happen? We only gave up 27 or more points in a game five times all season. None of those games had that many scored in the first half.

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

I think he was being facetious. He has a good point though.

Yeah I'll admit the 27 points was over the top lol

However, it is a fact that Dennis Allen's Defense plays better in the second half.

Not saying it's all his fault because the offense definitely didn't help the D out much.

However there were must win games where we were in such a hole from the first half, that whilst his D played well in the second half, it was too little too late.

Vikings game - 24 points allowed 1st half, 3 points allowed 2nd half

Lions game - 24 points allowed 1st half, 9 points allowed 2nd half

Houston game - 17 points allowed 1st half, 3 points allowed 2nd half

As I say, not all on his D as the offense was inept for 3/4 of the season, but I don't quite believe Dennis Allens "half time adjustments are overrated" quip, when the stats absolutely back up that his team is better in the 2nd half.

In fact, the way the games went was a microcosm of how the season went. Dug a hole, worked to get out of it, got hot near the end when it was already too late.

K Major · 02-08-2024, 03:42 PM

Better bolster up that pass rush in 2024.

Hebert, Mahomes, Dak, Mayfield, Hurts, Love & Atl (X) can all scramble & are surgeons when they have time to throw.

Quality DL & DE play is needed and necessary.

02-06-2024, 10:20 PM	#1
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,748	Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller NFL analyst Steve Patton ranked every defensive play caller from the 2023 season based on what he calls “coverage and market efficiency with team constraints” which examines how each defense performed relative to absences (for injuries and suspensions) and quality of opposition, among other factors. And Allen came out on top. You don’t need to invent new metrics to see why. He fielded the league’s fourth-best defense on third downs (allowing a conversion on just 34.5% of downs) and the third-best unit on fourth downs (42.3%, with opponents going 11-for-26). Despite getting little production from his pass rush — the Saints finished with the NFL’s second-lowest pressure rate (15.1%) and fourth-worst sacks rate (5.7%) — Allen’s secondary held up even with Marshon Lattimore missing seven games to an injury. They allowed the 10th-fewest passing yards per game (207.3) and tied for the third-most interceptions (18). But they weren’t perfect. Allen hasn’t been able to micromanage the run defense after being promoted to head coach, and it shows: even after drafting a first-round defensive tackle and signing two veteran free agents, New Orleans finished inside the bottom-10 in both yards per carry (4.4) and rushing yards per game (119.9). And he has to take the blame for a Saints pass rush that was asleep at the wheel for much of the season. Of their 34 sacks on the season, 15 came in the last five games. Allen’s reluctance to use undersized pass rushers like Zack Baun until the season was effectively over is a major blind spot in his coaching philosophy. https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2024...ource=facebook UK_WhoDat, Crusader, AsylumGuido and 1 others like this.

02-06-2024, 10:36 PM	#2
Sinner 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 4,050	Re: Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller Is he still around? SmashMouth and K Major like this.
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02-07-2024, 04:22 AM	#3
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,976 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller And replacing his entire offensive staff may have been his greatest call. Patiently optimistic. Crusader, SaintFanQ and Rugby Saint II like this.

02-07-2024, 08:05 AM	#4
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,498	Re: Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller I was looking for a place to post that, Danno. It didn't fit anywhere so its own thread works best. I'm expecting Allen to give Kubiak a lot of autonomy when it comes to the offense. Let Dennis keep tight reins on the defense. Danno and SaintFanQ like this.

02-07-2024, 08:59 AM	#5
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,519	Re: Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller In the second half yes. Not in the first half when we get outscored by 27 points. Rugby Saint II and K Major like this.

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02-07-2024, 09:00 AM	#6
Sinner 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 4,050	Re: Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller Originally Posted by AsylumGuido I was looking for a place to post that, Danno. It didn't fit anywhere so its own thread works best. I'm expecting Allen to give Kubiak a lot of autonomy when it comes to the offense. Let Dennis keep tight reins on the defense. He couldn’t keep tight reins on his own shoelaces. K Major likes this.
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02-07-2024, 09:09 AM	#7
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,498	Re: Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller Originally Posted by dizzle88 In the second half yes. Not in the first half when we get outscored by 27 points. When did that happen? We only gave up 27 or more points in a game five times all season. None of those games had that many scored in the first half.

02-08-2024, 01:58 PM	#8
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,120	Re: Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller Originally Posted by AsylumGuido When did that happen? We only gave up 27 or more points in a game five times all season. None of those games had that many scored in the first half. I think he was being facetious. He has a good point though. AsylumGuido likes this.

02-08-2024, 03:30 PM	#9
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,519	Re: Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller Originally Posted by AsylumGuido When did that happen? We only gave up 27 or more points in a game five times all season. None of those games had that many scored in the first half. Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II I think he was being facetious. He has a good point though. Yeah I'll admit the 27 points was over the top lol However, it is a fact that Dennis Allen's Defense plays better in the second half. Not saying it's all his fault because the offense definitely didn't help the D out much. However there were must win games where we were in such a hole from the first half, that whilst his D played well in the second half, it was too little too late. Vikings game - 24 points allowed 1st half, 3 points allowed 2nd half Lions game - 24 points allowed 1st half, 9 points allowed 2nd half Houston game - 17 points allowed 1st half, 3 points allowed 2nd half As I say, not all on his D as the offense was inept for 3/4 of the season, but I don't quite believe Dennis Allens "half time adjustments are overrated" quip, when the stats absolutely back up that his team is better in the 2nd half. In fact, the way the games went was a microcosm of how the season went. Dug a hole, worked to get out of it, got hot near the end when it was already too late. jnormand, AsylumGuido and Rugby Saint II like this.
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02-08-2024, 03:42 PM	#10
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,747 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Dennis Allen is the NFL's best defensive play caller Better bolster up that pass rush in 2024. Hebert, Mahomes, Dak, Mayfield, Hurts, Love & Atl (X) can all scramble & are surgeons when they have time to throw. Quality DL & DE play is needed and necessary. UK_WhoDat, jnormand, SaintFanQ and 1 others like this.