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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.



"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.)

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Danno

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

jeanpierre

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...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

Halo

vpheughan

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

Crusader

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.

dizzle88

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!!

Rugby Saint II

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.......

NOLA54

I hope we now have the right combinations of players.

Danno

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.