A Look at Dennis Allen

Let's take a look at Dennis Allen's NFL Career:

Allen's first NFL gig came with the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 in which he was hired as the assistance defensive backfield coach. In 2001, the Falcons ranked 30th against the pass, and improved to 16th against in the pass in 2002, accumulating 24 interceptions. Over the last two years that allen was in Atlanta, Allen had duties of assisting in coaching the defensive backfield and the defensive line. In 2004, the Falcons lead the league with 48 sacks, and went on to notch 37 sacks in 2005.

Allen joined the Saints in Sean Payton's inaugural season, 2006. Allen was hired as assistance defensive line coach, helping to develop a unit that would go on to rack up 48.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and 10 forced fumbles over 2006 and 2007.

In 2009, Allen lead a Saints secondary that lead the league with six interceptions returned for touchdowns, and 22 total interceptions on the season. Allen made significant contributions to a defense that led the way to two NFC Championship appearances, and a Super Bowl title in 2009, and paved the way for a 24-8 regular season record over 2009-2010. Under Allen in 2010, the Saints' secondary surrendered a league low 13 touchdown passes, and ranked fourth in pass defense and total defense, and top five rankings in 3rd down efficiency and opposing QB passer rating.

Allen was lured away by the Denver Broncos to serve as their Defensive coordinator for the 2011 season, once in which his defense helped the Broncos secure a AFC West title, an AFC wild card victory and AFC divisional round berth. The Broncos' 41 team sacks ranked highest since the 2000 season.

Many would day that Allen did not have much success in Oakland as the head coach, but after a closer look, his success simply did not translate into many wins. The Oakland defense was revamped and nine starters were replaced, but still Allen's defense improved, gathering 38 sacks in 2012, 13 more than 2011.

Overall, the guy has had tons of success as a defensive coach in the NFL. He is consistently good with defensive backfields, and seems to have had a positive influence on the young players in the Saints new backfield in 2015. The lack of pressure and poor concept in my opinion is the reason the Saints defense is so bad. The only concern now is that Allen's influence is already present, and he is a contribution to that terrible defensive play, and things will not change.