Saints Simplifying the Defense in Their Efforts to Improve It.

The first week of OTA's are complete and we may have gotten a glimpse of what Dennis Allen's role will be on the team.

Thursday's practice was open to media and he was seen working with the secondary. This isn't a surprise. Most assumed that this was a primary reason he was brought in, but perhaps what is surprising is how hands on he seems to be. The Saints website released photos of the practice sessions, and several show Dennis Allen holding up a dummy for tackling drills. Tackling needs to be a point of emphasis as the team was dead last in tackling efficiency according to Pro Football Focus.

(Dennis Allen runs tackling drills with the Saints secondary)

The team is also reportedly simplifying the defense. The Advocate's Nick Underhill:




The team fielded the worst defense in NFL history in 2012 under Steve Spagnuolo, and a big reason for that was that it was needlessly complicated. Players reportedly had multiple checks every play which is problematic for a defense trying to learn a scheme. One of the knocks on Rob Ryan is that his defense can be too complicated at times and we saw that manifest itself last year. Dennis Allen could be helping to rein in those tendencies in Ryan, who's an otherwise great defensive coordinator.

Other things of note:

- Coach Payton that this week was base defense oriented and the team was running primarily a 4-3 front

- Lewis and Browner were the starting corners while Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Terrence Fredrick ran with the second team

- Anthony Spencer was taking snaps with the first team in place of Junior Galette. Maybe a message is being sent to the somewhat troubled pass rusher?

- David Hawthorne is the starting middle linebacker as of now, but that could change quickly. Stephone Anthony reportedly looked great so far, picking off a pass from Luke McCown.