Dennis Allen End of Season Press Conference Takeaways
Dennis Allen met with the media on Monday afternoon for his end of season press conference. The Saints were eliminated from postseason contention after the Packers won in the afternoon slot, leaving another 'what if' in regards to a year where the bar was set much higher than what was achieved. Here's some of the biggest takeaways from the nearly 45 minutes he spoke.
Dennis Allen End of Season Presser Takeaways
Aug 11, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen looks on during training camp at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
HIS EXPECTATION IS TO RETURN AS HEAD COACH
Allen was asked whether or not he believed he would be back in 2024, to which he said, "That is my expectation. Yes." Allen still has to meet with Mickey Loomis to do their customary end of the year debriefing process, which will give him feedback on what went right and wrong and where the team needs to improve in the new year. The Saints usually take a couple of days to conduct this to help take the emotion of things, so the approach is nothing new.
Again, all signs were pointing to this through various reports and from what everything Saints News Network understood regarding the situation. The fact that Allen and the Saints closed things out on such a high note winning four of their final five games really helped. It showed what is possible.
TEAM OUTLOOK
Allen said he told the team in their final meeting that he was proud of the way everyone continued to fight and finish the season, but was pissed they put themselves in that position. There will be a lot of discussions throughout the week on the future. While the improvement was there from 7-10 to 9-8, it still falls short of expectations.
"It hasn't been good enough. I have to do better job, and I accept that responsibility," Allen said. "I understand that this is a production based business. I've been in this business a long time. I do think we played more consistent in the last stretch of the season and I think our record indicated that."
"We've got to look at what are we going to do differently. We are all part of the problem, now we've got to figure out what we're going to be to be part of the solution."
Allen self-evaluated himself and said, "There's certainly things I know where I can improve and better." He also said, “It hasn’t been good enough. It’s not what we aspire to be here.”
He was asked whether or not the Saints needed to modernize their offense. Allen responded, "I think we're always considering new ideas." He did say that there's certainly things they can do better, but a lot of the schematics they have work.
He believes the Saints are close, citing improvement year over year. "I do think we're progressing in the right way." However, he said the defense wasn't as dominant as they were in previous years.
ROSTER BUILDING
According to Allen's outlook, the Saints still need to add some young players to the roster. He feels they have a good veteran presence, but wants to incorporate more youth and talent. The team will look at ways in which they can do that.
He did highlight some of the young core of offensive skill players a reason for optimism next season, namedropping Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, A.T. Perry and Kendre Miller. He later also pointed out how Blake Grupe and Lou Hedley both got better for the team too.
He was asked about his involvement in the roster, to which he said that the financials are obviously handled by the front office, but he has a good bit of authority in this area. "In terms of the makeup of the roster, I'm heavily involved in that," Allen said.
One of the more intriguing responses came when asked about Zack Baun and his late-season success. Despite being a smaller and speedier edge rusher, that won't necessarily change the team's prototype, but does give them something to consider when it comes to adding a 'change up' alongside their typical mold.
DEFENDING DEREK CARR
“No I don’t think it was fair the amount of criticism that Derek Carr got. I thought Derek Carr played well this year.”
This isn't the first time Allen defending his quarterback, who did play extremely well in the final stretch. The team has cited the injuries he suffered early in the season as a reason why things didn't look the way they should.
LOCKER ROOM FRACTURE A MYTH?
Allen declined to answer another question regarding the on-field incident that ended with a Jamaal Williams touchdown out of victory formation, referencing that he discussed it following the game and felt it was addressed enough.
He said, "Those players went out and played their tail off in the last five games of the season," Later on when talking about any divisions in the locker room between players and coaches, Allen responded with, "No, I don't think there's any fracture."
One of the things he did say is that cultural adjustments are needed. “Our mindset needs to be different. I’ve been here for a lot of it and we’ve had a lot of success around here, and I think sometimes you can get a little comfortable with that.”
Even with the approach, he stated that, "We got to get back to the grind a little bit."
PACKERS LOSS CHANGED A LOT
"I think there was a stretch of games, 6-8 games there after that Green Bay game we didn't play our best football." Allen thought it was one that would come back and bite the Saints, and it did.
Allen said in hindsight that he should have attempted a long field goal with Blake Grupe instead of punting in Packers territory. Keeping the pressure on was a lesson learned, which played into some of the decisions to be more aggressive in similar situations as the season went on.
Allen said the season finale was the best the Saints offense has looked all along.
MARSHON LATTIMORE, MICHAEL THOMAS UPDATES
Based on injury information this morning passed to Allen, Marshon Lattimore could have been available this week from his ankle injury. Lattimore has been the subject of a lot of speculation, especially trade talks in the offseason. We saw him briefly in the locker room, but were unable to chat with him.
Michael Thomas is progressing, but Allen had to be asked a follow-up question to get more insight. Allen said, "He's not where we had originally hoped, but he's getting better." Thomas is dealing with a knee injury and is supposed to be a free agent. He was one of the players we didn't see at all today.
TREVOR PENNING'S FUTURE TO BE DECIDED
Allen says that Trevor Penning is still a guy that they can get the best out of. There's a big urgency to develop him going forward. He said, "We'll see," when asked about the possibility of a position change for him. The fact that he couldn't get into the game as a jumbo lineman even when other injuries occurred was startling. The Saints desperately need to get him the right mentor.
JIMMY GRAHAM
Jimmy Graham tweeted this morning, "It’s always been an honor to represent this city. I’m greatful for all the love over this long journey." Some took it to mean that he was retiring, but Allen said there's been no discussions regarding Graham's future.
"We haven't discussed that." We also did not get an opportunity to talk to Graham with the players packing up their locker rooms and such.
ADDRESSING FANS
"I appreciate the fans we have. And I do think there's a connection between our fans and this city. And I would say, much like the New Orleans Saints have done over the past 15 years or so, we've battle some hard times and come out on the other side of the storm, and I do expect to come out of the other side of the storm again."
Saints Locker Room Buzz
- The Saints are getting to work on the reserve/future deals, with players like Jack Heflin and Jordan Mims set to come back to the mix.
- Cam Jordan won't be retiring, for anyone that was curious. He said, “I love the Saints too much to retire.” The ankle was a problem for him all season. He detailed his injuries from the season, which included a compounded high and low ankle sprain, herniated C3/C4 neck injury, and other things. However, he still managed to play in every game this season. Jordan plans to hit this offseason pretty hard.
- Most of the Saints players are getting out of town before the week ends, with the vast majority of them returning home to be with their families. Some of the position groups have plans to meet one last time before everything is finished.
- A lot of position coaches were also in the locker room. The players met with them before coming to the locker room.
- Andrus Peat is set to have his second child this month, another boy. He'll be back home in California. Other players are also expecting children like Zack Baun. It'll be the first child for Baun, who comes from a big family.
- Veterans Cameron Erving and Max Garcia have been a very positive influence on the locker room and are going to see what shakes out over the next few months. Both want to keep playing.
- Nephi Sewell got a second opinion on his injury, and he should have surgery within the next two weeks. He'll be staying around New Orleans and was very optimistic and upbeat on his approach to the rehab process.
- Landon Young shed his brace and got cleared from his knee injury. It was certainly a concerning one, but the brace actually saved him twice now. Vita Vea was a big reason why he got hurt in the first place.
- Keith Kirkwood sounds like he's going to take some time to figure out what's next. He's someone who has certainly went through and battled a lot.
- Nick Saldiveri appears to have had shoulder surgery. He was wearing one of those post operative shoulder braces. We also saw Malcolm Roach and Marcus Maye in there.
- Some players respectfully declined to talk publicly today, but were fairly open and approachable.
- There might have been some slight confusion from what some of the websites are reporting out there regarding James Hurst and his contract, but he said he'd be surprised if he wasn't back and on the roster next season. One site has him as a free agent and the other doesn't. He should be with the Saints.
