Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

The optimists within the New Orleans Saints defensive unit probably have said aloud or to themselves "the only direction to go from here is up" a time or two or 10 the last couple of years. You think about it, and that philosophy sounds right.

Except there's a far less discussed and more depressing alternative to the up-beat outlook. You can always remain the same.

The Saints defense did that in 2015. The defense sat at the bottom of the league in 2014. The defense sat at the bottom of the league in 2015.

I, for one, can't blame defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for his viewpoint entering the initial stages of on-field workouts for the Saints in 2016.

"Number one, we start totally anew," Allen said Saturday after the team's rookie minicamp session. "This is a totally new year, a totally different group. Last year was last year. We're totally looking forward to what we've got to get accomplished this year.

http://image.nola.com/home/nola-medi...620-mmmain.jpg

"What we have to do is develop the right culture, the right concept to play defensive football around here."

The awkward and seemingly counterproductive setup last year of Allen and Rob Ryan is over. The success or failure of the Saints defense will now fall primarily on Allen's shoulders. He's not focusing on that, yet he's not oblivious to that either.

One thing I do know about Allen is that he's earned Sean Payton's complete trust. I'm not sure any of the four previous defensive coordinators could say that in the Payton era. Maybe Steve Spagnuolo was a close second ... maybe not. (This is a small attempt at humor.)

read more

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

He's got some good young talent to work with. There's no excuse for not finishing in the low 20s or high teens

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Vance Joseph explains decision to stick with 4-3 defense in Miami | ProFootballTalk

It'll be an interesting parallel between Vance Joseph's approach and Dennis Allen's approach...

Miami chose to stick with the 4-3 based on their current personnel (mainly because of the contract with Suh) rather than go with the 3-4 Vance Joseph is more familiar...

New Orleans is blowing up the defense, again, and will probably be moving out players that don't fit D.A.'s (Gregg Williams) 4-3 system...

Will be curious to see how Karim Edebali, John Jenkins, Hau'oli Kikaha, Davis Tull, and Tyeler Davison are used and even retained...

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Some of the most in depth New Orleans Saints articles on "almostnakedhulahoopers.com"

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Allen isn't worried about a player's approval, which was a trait that worked for Ryan only for so long. He's concerned with results.

I really like that part.

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

I gained a lot of respect for Dennis Allen when he didn't back down to Brandon Browner getting in his face, we are overdue for a decent defense!!

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

He earned my respect too. He didn't even blink with Browner all up in his face. That's my kind of coach. Now if he can only coach the defense.......

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

I hope we now have the right combinations of players.

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Good point. Sometimes its not just talent that you need, but the right mix of talent.

Dream teams can sometimes suck, and team with several mediocre players can still succeed.

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

goal 25th ranking min

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Exactly, look at our front 7 from 2009-2011 as a perfect example with players such as;

Jeff Charleston, Remi Ayodele, Anthony Hargrove, Danny Clark, Jo-lonn Dunbar, Bobby McCray

I wouldn't peg any of those guys as all pro's, but all played in a rotation suited to their abilities and all of them really embraced the team first attitude.

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Yeah. What ever happened to Charleston? He was good in spot duty. Never really got to see the guy play after he as released.

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Originally Posted by dizzle88 View Post
Exactly, look at our front 7 from 2009-2011 as a perfect example with players such as;

Jeff Charleston, Remi Ayodele, Anthony Hargrove, Danny Clark, Jo-lonn Dunbar, Bobby McCray

I wouldn't peg any of those guys as all pro's, but all played in a rotation suited to their abilities and all of them really embraced the team first attitude.

And who ran that Defense.

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Most coaches don't wear chin-straps.
And it doesn't matter if the coaches are slow to the ball.
We've had guys that just did NOT perform. Plain and simple.
After all the schemes and game planning are done, somebody has to make plays.
For years our fundamentals have been just awful.
Basic wrap and roll tackling was nowhere to be found.
DBs that could not/would not/did not (pick one) turn, look and make a play on the ball.
The rookies showed great promise (Kikaha-Anthony) along with Jordan.
If we can get them some help, we may get to the middle of the pack.
We score enough points to win most games. Just can't stop Sh!+.
We don't need 11 play makers; maybe 4 of the front 7 and 2 in the back.
A good run stuffer will make the other 2 look and perform better.
At least 1 LB that can stay with a tight end.
At least 1 CB that we can "confidently" leave alone and not worry about his coverage.
5 or 6 guys that excel at what they do and make the other 5 guys job easier.
I hope we've got some play makers on the field once the roster is trimmed to 50s and the P-squad.
I don't need pro-bowlers.
I would be happy just getting off the field on 3rd and 17.
Make the coach look good.

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

GW would be licking his chops with this group we have now, probably get low teen's results.We'll see how this goes.

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

The other half of that is having the coach, coordinator who knows how to build a defense with the pieces he has, and know who to run that defense once it's assembled...

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Mark my words "Dennis Allen WILL get offers for a head coach position after about two years"

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

I will feel sorry if this move don't work out for him. I thought he was the wrong pick when we drafted him but after watching him he could be an all pro ILB in a 3-4 D.

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

Stephone is a smart dude but let's be honest, he was thrown into the fire with a LOT of responsibility (and not a lot of help) from DAY 1. Having JL at the MIKE should help him tremendously & it could aide his vision/taking on defenders at the point of attack. With his natural athleticism, he may be way more active behind the line of scrimmage.

Long term, I think SA will regain his position and play lights out for years to come in the middle ;).

Re: Optimist and realist, Dennis Allen working to resurrect Saints' defense
 

I think my dislike for the pick was more of his horn being tooted. Tape I saw of him(college) he wasn't all he was made out to be. I still believe he's to slow to cover that much space as he was ask in the 4-3 MLB position or the insticts there either. But what I did see was a tackling machine and pops with good authority. Moving to OLB might be his best bet in a 4-3? But I see him more of a 3-4 stud ILB that in time possibly could be great.