Dennis Allen talks about the big Saints win over the Patriots and how the team played a complete game.
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00:00 All right, look, obviously pleased with the win.
00:06 I think it's probably as complete a game as we've played around here in a while.
00:10 I thought all three phases of the game came in and did their job
00:17 and did what we needed to do to win the game.
00:19 So, pleased with the win.
00:21 And now we start turning our attention to next week at Houston.
00:25 D.A., what are some of the things offensively that stood out positively?
00:30 Well, look, I think we were able to score points in the red zone.
00:34 I think that was probably the number one thing.
00:37 I thought we ran the ball pretty well in the game.
00:40 So, I thought overall, I thought up front, overall I thought we did some good things,
00:46 and I thought we did a good job of kind of being able to control the line of scrimmage a little bit.
00:51 You mentioned last week that, you know, offensively, everything they did kind of did a little bit better.
00:56 Do you feel like they answered that challenge?
00:57 Yeah, look, the challenge really was for everybody to be better.
01:03 So, this wasn't an offense, defense, kick and game deal.
01:06 This was a New Orleans Saints need to be better.
01:10 We had to coach better.
01:11 We had to play better.
01:13 And I thought everybody, coaches, players, everybody alike, you know,
01:19 answered the challenge this week.
01:21 Did you guys put an emphasis on being more aggressive early on to kind of set the tone
01:25 and we're going to go down the field and kind of look different than what we did last week?
01:31 Yeah, look, I mean, I think we wanted to, you know, come into the game
01:36 and be able to run the ball and throw the ball effectively.
01:41 You know, I really thought we had some opportunities that, you know,
01:45 we could have taken advantage of that we didn't take advantage of.
01:48 So, there's still a lot of things we have to clean up.
01:51 Yeah, we obviously wanted to be aggressive.
01:53 We wanted to, you know, be able to move the ball and score some points.
01:57 And ultimately we were able to do that.
02:00 What was the atmosphere like in the facility this week?
02:03 I thought it was great.
02:05 I thought our guys, you know, knew what we needed to do.
02:09 I think they understood that, you know, the previous performance wasn't good enough.
02:17 And we knew we had a better team than what we put out there.
02:21 And I think today we came out and answered the bell.
02:24 And the defense answering the bell too, what did you think of their performance?
02:29 Yeah, I thought defensively I thought we played well.
02:34 You know, I think third down defense was really good.
02:36 I think, you know, our ability, you know, to be able to get off the field on third down,
02:44 you know, helped us to bait.
02:46 And then our ability on offense to be able to run the ball, you know,
02:50 kind of maintain time of possession.
02:52 I think that, you know, got out of whack a little bit in our favor in the game.
02:56 So, I think that was a, you know, a huge part of the game.
03:02 You know, I thought, again, I thought our guys did a pretty good job up front,
03:06 you know, being able to stop the run
03:07 and also being able to kind of get after the quarterback a little bit.
03:11 Can you talk about this part that Tyron put that 8-6 kind of just--
03:15 Yeah, I think that's huge.
03:17 You know, being able to take the ball away, you know, early in the game like that
03:24 and create a little bit of momentum on your side.
03:26 I think our whole team kind of fed off of that.
03:29 And that was certainly, you know, great to see.
03:35 It's been a while since I can remember that we scored, you know, on defense.
03:39 And so, that was a little bit of an emphasis this week, too,
03:42 to take the ball away and, you know, potentially score on defense.
03:45 Dennis, I know Pete was the editor about taking all the blame
03:48 for the offensive struggles this year on Friday,
03:50 saying 100% my fault, I got to get better.
03:52 What kind of conversations did you and him have?
03:55 Not asking for details, but just, you know, about him wanting to come into this game,
03:58 be different, get a different outcome, not just on the scoreboard, but--
04:02 Yeah, look, listen, we talk every week.
04:06 And, you know, if you're having struggles in an area,
04:12 there's very few times that you can point in one individual direction
04:18 and say that's the issue, you know.
04:21 So, you know, the challenge this week was for everybody, players and coaches,
04:27 to show up, you know, and I thought our guys answered the bell and showed up today.
04:32 Yeah, obviously, Pete got lost in a 34-0 game with Lakers,
04:35 being able to do long kicks.
04:36 What's your confidence level with him right now?
04:38 I think it's extremely high, you know.
04:41 I think he's kicked the ball exceptionally well for us
04:43 and had zero reservations about having him, you know, attempt a long field goal.
04:49 So it's great to see him do that.
04:51 Yeah, so Allen just walked in the room, and obviously he's now the all-time touchdown.
04:54 That's pretty good, huh?
04:55 Yeah.
04:56 Yeah.
04:57 Can you just speak on just, you know, just an overall picture of--
05:01 Yeah, look, I mean, he's been outstanding for our football team, you know,
05:06 both in terms of his production on the field
05:08 and in terms of his leadership in the locker room.
05:10 I think it's been awesome.
05:13 You know, there's some plays in the game today
05:15 that probably don't stand out to the naked eye,
05:18 and yet you just watch some of the--you know, his ability to make guys miss
05:25 and create plays is pretty awesome.
05:28 I thought he ran the ball exceptionally hard today.
05:30 And so we've been working to get that 73rd touchdown, you know,
05:35 so it's been a while for us to finally get it, so it was good for that to happen.
05:39 This is the largest home loss, shutout loss in Patriots franchise history.
05:47 I mean, could you have seen anything like this coming this week?
05:50 No, look, I mean, you know, our deal this week was just focus on us,
05:55 focus on what we have to do to be better,
05:58 and then go out and execute our jobs, you know, on Sunday in the game.
06:03 And I thought everybody in the organization I thought did a good job of doing that.
06:08 Is this kind of what you thought this offense was capable of?
06:11 I think this is what I want our team to look like, you know.
06:18 And now the challenge is can you replicate that week in and week out,
06:24 you know, in a tough league that we play in.
06:26 And so I thought we had a great week of practice.
06:30 I thought our preparation was awesome.
06:31 I thought our focus was awesome.
06:34 And I think the results show.
06:36 Just defining that a little bit,
06:37 like what are the elements from this game that specifically, like,
06:40 these are the two or three things that you want your team to look like?
06:43 Well, I mean, I think, you know, scoring a lot of points and not giving up a lot.
06:48 [Laughter]
06:49 You know, I mean, look, I thought we did a good job being efficient offensively.
06:54 You know, we were able to run the football.
06:56 You know, we took the ball away, which created some good field position.
07:00 We played smart football.
07:02 You know, we still have to eliminate some of the penalties.
07:05 But, you know, overall I thought it was a, you know, well-played game.
07:10 You had emphasized tackling and pass rush in previous games.
07:14 How do you feel about the progress that you saw today?
07:16 Yeah, I thought it was better, you know.
07:18 I thought it was better.
07:19 You know, obviously I'm going to go back and look at the tape.
07:22 I'm sure there's going to be some things I won't be happy about.
07:24 But overall I thought overall as a whole team I thought it was better.
07:30 You said last week Derek had to deal with some shoulder soreness
07:33 towards the end of the game.
07:34 This game it seemed like he was still throwing deep, like, even towards the end.
07:37 So how did he hold up, I guess, now?
07:39 Yeah, I haven't even talked to the trainers yet.
07:41 But, um...
07:43 PR.
07:44 Yeah, I'm assuming he's okay.
07:45 Yeah, yeah.
07:46 Well, I mean, that seems like a good thing, no?
07:48 You didn't even have to talk to him about it yet.
07:50 I didn't see anything in the game.
07:52 No, it was good, though.
07:53 Yeah, it's all good.
07:54 You talked to Chris a lot.
07:55 How are you getting into work before the game?
07:57 Is he dealing with something today?
07:58 He had a little bit of a toe prior to the game, but made it through fine.
08:03 We'll see where he's at.
08:04 But I thought he looked good.
08:07 All right.
08:08 I appreciate it.
08:09 I'm going to let you guys talk to Al.