New Orleans Saints Coach Dennis Allen sat down on the Saints Coaches Show on WWL with Voice of the Saints Mike Hoss and Saints legend Bobby Hebert to talk about the win over the Panthers, their upcoming matchup against the Cowboys and more on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
Here's the top five takeaway's from Allen's appearance:
1. Tropical Storm Francis prep
With Tropical Storm Francis bearing down on Louisiana and expected to make landfall Wednesday, Sept. 10, Allen discussed the team's contingencies and said it could affect the team's schedule for the week.
"Sounds like it's kind of a 24-hour storm in terms of the most significant part of the weather. And so, we may have to evaluate what our schedule looks like on Wednesday and Thursday. But as of right now, the plan would be to be able to get practices in, here at the facility."
Allen added that the team would revisit things on Tuesday, Sept. 10 to re-evaluate plans based on the latest information
2. New look running game
Allen praised the updated run game as offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak debuted the team's new offensive scheme to much success on the ground. The Saints tallied 180 yards and two touchdowns rushing.
"There was a lot said about the offensive line going into the season, and rightfully so, it was a question mark because we had three new starters going in on the offensive line, but I think we averaged 2.9 yards per rush prior to contact and that was first in the NFL this week," Allen said. "And I think if we give our backs, that type of room to run and get them three yards down the field before they face any sort of contact, I would suspect we are going to have a lot of success running the football and I think all of those guys are going to be really good."
Running back Alvin Kamara led the way for the backs on the ground tallying 83 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
3. Trevor Penning's debut at right rackle
Third-year tackle Trevor Penning headed into his first game after making the switch from left tackle to right tackle in the offseason. Allen said he thought Penning graded out well in his first game at the new position despite going up against a standout defensive end in Jadeveon Clowney for much of the game.
"There's certainly still some things that he needs to improve on, but I thought it was a big step forward for him," Allen said. "I thought this was going to be a tough challenge going against Clowney in particular in the passing game. I thought he did a pretty good job there. I thought he was really tough and nasty in the run game. I saw him move some people off the ball the first play of the game. I felt like he moved Derek Brown off the ball, which was a big point of emphasis for us in this game. So, I was pleased with what I saw. I think it's something that he can he can build on."
4. Rashid Shaheed's TD and return work
Allen praised the contributions wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was able to make against the Panthers. Allen said he provides the Saints an "explosive element."
"The stuff that he's able to do in the return game, the way he's able to get behind the defense, in the passing game — look, I mean, Payton Turner is the one that made the tackle on the on the punt return or otherwise, Rashid still be running — but it was good to see," he said. "He was a big part of what we're able to do. And one of the things that people don't really think about or wouldn't even notice, but, there's a couple of bad punts that they had where the ball is on the ground and he's able to field the ball and probably saved us another 10 to 12 yards of a field position by not letting that thing roll and getting us into a backed up situation. So, I thought his decision making back there, you know, as a punt returner was pretty good."
Shaheed racked up three receptions for 73 yards including a 59 yard touchdown reception on the first drive of the game to open up the scoring for the Saints. He also added three punt returns for 60 yards with a long of 47 yards and a 33-yard kickoff return.
5. On to Dallas
The Saints head to Arlington to take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 on Sept. 15, 2024. The Cowboys have won 12 games in two consecutive seasons, a feat Allen praised.
"I've been a part of some of the some of those teams around here where we've won 11 and 12 games, 13 games and done that in consecutive seasons and I know how hard that is to do," Allen said. "It's extremely difficult to do. So, we certainly have a lot of respect for Dallas and what they've been able to do."
Allen said the Cowboys are a talented and well-coached team. Allen also said they are a great team at home with the Cowboys winning 16 of 17 home games over the last two seasons.
"So, this will be a tough environment. This will be a tough game for us and yet this this is the type of games that, you know, if we want to be the type of team that we think we can be, these are the type of team games that we got to go in and perform. And so, I think our guys are excited about the opportunity. We're looking forward to it and we understand what a challenge this is going to be."
