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Dennis Allen adjusting on the fly as Saints' defensive injuries mount
By Joel Erickson -- Advocate
Dennis Allen has found himself doing a lot more crisis management than architecture on the New Orleans Saints defense this season.
Eight of his 11 projected starters have missed at least one game so far. Promising young defenders Hau'oli Kikaha and P.J. Williams are out for the season; cornerback Delvin Breaux, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe have all missed significant time already.
For the most part, Allen has refused to use the injuries as an excuse for a defense that ranks 28th in passing, 25th in rushing, 31st in yards and dead-last in points allowed so far.
But even Allen has to admit the injuries have forced him to alter some of his plans.
"I don't feel like we've had to limit or cut back those things," Allen said. "I think what we've had to do as we face some of these injury issues are figure out who do we have in the game now, what do they do well, and how does that relate to what we're trying to get accomplished?"
MORE -- Advocate
Dennis Allen adjusting on the fly as Saints' defensive injuries mount
By Joel Erickson -- Advocate
Dennis Allen has found himself doing a lot more crisis management than architecture on the New Orleans Saints defense this season.
Eight of his 11 projected starters have missed at least one game so far. Promising young defenders Hau'oli Kikaha and P.J. Williams are out for the season; cornerback Delvin Breaux, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe have all missed significant time already.
For the most part, Allen has refused to use the injuries as an excuse for a defense that ranks 28th in passing, 25th in rushing, 31st in yards and dead-last in points allowed so far.
But even Allen has to admit the injuries have forced him to alter some of his plans.
"I don't feel like we've had to limit or cut back those things," Allen said. "I think what we've had to do as we face some of these injury issues are figure out who do we have in the game now, what do they do well, and how does that relate to what we're trying to get accomplished?"
MORE -- Advocate