Former Saints Player Eric Allen named to the 2025 NFL Hall of Fame (2 Viewers)

[HoustonGold]

Congratulations Eric Allen!

Former New Orleans Saints defensive back Eric Allen named to Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025

Former New Orleans Saints defensive back Eric Allen was one of four players named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Thursday during the NFL Honors broadcast at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans.
Allen, who played with the Saints from 1995-97, as named to the Pro Bowl in 1995. In 48 games with the franchise, he hauled in five interceptions and recorded 160 tackles (137 solo).
Selected in second round (30th pick overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Allen made immediate impact as rookie, totaling five interceptions to earn a spot on the PFWA's All-Rookie Team. He followed up with an eight-interception season in 1989 and was recognized with first-team All-Pro honors and a spot on Pro Bowl roster. He intercepted at least three passes in each of his first seven seasons and 10 times in 14-year career. After seven seasons in Philadelphia, he spent three years in New Orleans, then finished career with four seasons in Oakland. Allen was named to the Philadelphia Eagles' 75th Anniversary Team in 2007 and inducted into team's Hall of Fame in 2011.
Allen is joined in the class by defensive end Jared Allen, tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. Legendary Saints guard Jahri Evans was a finalist for the class of 2025.

 

[football]

Congratulations Eric Allen!

Former New Orleans Saints defensive back Eric Allen named to Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025

I see him more like a former Eagles than a former Saints. In other thoughts, too bad Jahri didn't get in.

 

[HoustonGold]

I see him more like a former Eagles than a former Saints. In other thoughts, too bad Jahri didn't get in.

He was a Raider too.

 

[SystemShock]

He was a Saint for like 2 minutes and stunk for the money he got... and over Jahri Evans? Blah!

 

[UFCSaint]

He was a Saint for like 2 minutes and stunk for the money he got... and over Jahri Evans? Blah!

So overrated when he was here

 

[Merl]

No problem with any of the ones that got in, though it sucks Jahri didn't make it. I have always thought he will go in with Brees.

 

[HoustonGold]

Have we ever picked up someone in the secondary that was not overrated? Besides Tracy Porter.

 

[St.Dan]

An interesting selection indeed. Folk need to remember this whenever the conversation is about the number of rings relative to other accolades when being considered for Canton. I'd have thought Allen's place in NFL history would be described with words like "solid" or "steady." I'm a bit surprised he made it all the way through the process, but remember, we've seen the bar get a little lower in recent years compared to what it was.

Allen played for the Saints when the defense and the team in general was in a state of flux. The main players of the Dome Patrol era were all gone by '95, leaving Allen as a solid player on a unit full of scrubs and never-weres (compared to who they replaced, that is). I seem to remember teams dealing with Allen by simply throwing to Jimmy Spencer's side of the field instead. I'm sure someone will find his stat line from his Pro Bowl season here and compare it and such.

Put a late-20-something Eric Allen on the Dome Patrol defense and you might well have something special. (basically switch out either Toi Cook or Vince Buck; a good move when you think about it). I tell you one thing -- he would've kept the speedy receivers who always burnt us in check!

But the late Mora/early Ditka bunch just wasn't the same.

 

[RaginCajun83]

another case of the Hall lowering the bar yet again

 

[Nutria]

He was a Saint for like 2 minutes and stunk for the money he got... and over Jahri Evans? Blah!

Hear ya on Jahri. But Allen's two minutes were reasonably long-- three years, started every game each year. He was something of an upgrade when he arrived, and while he wasn't the same player that he was when he was with the Eagles, he was solid and stabilized the position.

 

[Booker]

He's going mostly for his time with the Eagles, 34 picks in 7 years, but he also had some good years at the end with the Raiders. I always thought he mailed it in when he was with the Saints. He had 5 interceptions in his 48 games with the Saints, and then went to Oakland and had 5 in his first ten games, and 15 in his first three seasons there.

 

[UFCSaint]

Have we ever picked up someone in the secondary that was not overrated? Besides Tracy Porter.

Jason David...

 

[Saint Greg]

Hear ya on Jahri. But Allen's two minutes were reasonably long-- three years, started every game each year. He was something of an upgrade when he arrived, and while he wasn't the same player that he was when he was with the Eagles, he was solid and stabilized the position.

Upgrade for us was a low bar at the time. And that was the year we were trying to sign Deion so Allen was a bit of a letdown.

 

[gummbo70114]

I waiting on next year, Drew’s year! And it’s road trip to Canton

 

[St.Dan]

I waiting on next year, Drew’s year! And it’s road trip to Canton

Nice job by Schefter arranging it in the order of who the top candidates should be in the first place We Saints fans know Brees is in the GOAT conversation at QB, but Fitz is certainly deserving of a no-questions-asked induction as well.