Dennis Allen speaks with the media in the team's new press room at the Superdome following Friday's practice.
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00:00 It was good to get over here to the dome and get a practice in the dome.
00:04 Landon Young went down at the end of practice there.
00:10 Looks like it's an MCL spring.
00:12 But we'll obviously have to go through some evaluations to see exactly
00:15 the significance of that.
00:16 But that was the only injury of note today with practice.
00:22 We did have three guys, Jimmy and Ram and Mike Thomas were all at rest days.
00:27 So that's where we're at.
00:30 >> Is that your message to the team after the little dust up?
00:33 >> That if we wanna act like boxers, we'll start training like boxers and
00:38 we'll get a one side run.
00:40 So I think that cleared it up pretty easily.
00:42 >> Dennis, if those three guys had veteran rest days in your dome practice,
00:47 does that mean they're not gonna play or they may still play?
00:52 >> No, anybody that's healthy enough to play is gonna play.
00:58 >> When you mentioned yesterday that you don't wanna dial back anything with
01:01 Trevor, what can we infer from how you view what happened today,
01:07 if anything, in terms of his role in initiating that or not?
01:11 >> Yeah, look, I mean, not the first fight that's ever happened in train camp, right?
01:17 It's the first one we've had, but it's not the first one that ever happens.
01:22 And you hit on the same guy day in, day out, day in, day out.
01:28 Eventually, temper's kind of flared a little bit, and we had a little dust up,
01:32 and we got it handled, and then we'll go back to practice.
01:35 >> How ready is this team to play another opponent?
01:38 >> Yeah, I think they're ready to see somebody else.
01:43 And I'm ready to see them.
01:44 I'm ready to see us go out against, obviously, a tremendous opponent.
01:50 I have no idea what their plans are, but we'll put our guys out there and
01:56 go compete.
01:57 I'm excited to see our guys.
01:58 I know our guys have worked extremely hard, and we've had a good camp.
02:04 And it's time to start playing some games.
02:05 >> Dennis, I know we've talked about Marshawn Latimer a few times during camp.
02:09 With a practice like today, is he even playing at a different level than what
02:13 you've seen from him in the past?
02:16 Would that be accurate?
02:17 >> Well, it'd be hard to do.
02:18 He's played on an elite level for us for a long time.
02:24 But yeah, he's playing extremely well.
02:28 It's probably the best that I've seen him play in a training camp environment,
02:32 for sure.
02:33 Yeah, I think he's got a great mindset about him, and he's been outstanding.
02:40 >> How big of an asset is Blake Gilligan to this team?
02:42 Had numbers once I checked up inside the pod today.
02:46 >> Yeah, he had a good day today.
02:47 We worked some going in punt, and I think he's punted the ball well.
02:51 And look, we're gonna get him out in some game situations and see how he does.
02:57 I think the big thing we've talked with Blake about is,
03:01 at the critical moment of the game, in the fourth quarter, we gotta have it.
03:07 We gotta have the punt to flip the field.
03:10 And that's probably the one area where I'd say we need to see improvement with him.
03:16 >> Dennis, I know you said you wanted to address the off ball linebacker.
03:21 What'd you like from the workout with Jalen Smith?
03:24 >> Yeah, I thought he came in with the right mindset in terms of working out.
03:27 Worked out pretty good for us, moved around really well.
03:30 He's been a productive player in our league, had an off the ball position.
03:36 So we felt like he was somebody we'd like to bring in and mix,
03:39 have him come in and compete and see where we're at.
03:42 >> Will he be ready to play?
03:44 >> I wouldn't expect for him to play.
03:46 I mean, I don't think he's been here 24 hours yet.
03:50 So we'll have him ready in an emergency situation if we need him,
03:57 but I don't expect to play him in this game.
03:59 >> What's your view of how Alonte Taylor's been doing in the first couple weeks?
04:06 >> Yeah, I think he's been playing well.
04:08 I think the corner position overall has played really well.
04:14 I think there's a lot of competition there.
04:16 And there's a lot of guys that are battling for opportunities and
04:22 snaps on game day.
04:23 And it's been fun to watch.
04:25 And look, we'll keep the evaluation process going, but
04:32 I think we've got several guys there that I think can help us.
04:36 >> What did you wanna see him focus on most this offseason?
04:39 I know he talked about reigning in the aggressiveness sometimes and
04:45 not over pursuing and things like that.
04:47 How's he doing in that part?
04:49 >> Yeah, look, I think there's, I would never say reign in the aggressiveness,
04:54 cuz that's what we're all about.
04:56 I think there's some times in tackling where he's gotta do a better job of
05:02 wrapping up.
05:02 There's some pursuit angles at times that he's gotta improve on.
05:08 I think the biggest thing, as with any young player,
05:10 is you wanna see that leap forward from year one to year two in terms of
05:16 really understanding the game, understanding what we're doing defensively,
05:19 understanding how offenses are trying to attack us.
05:22 I think that's probably the biggest area that he can improve on.
05:28 And I think he's done a nice job of that so far.
05:30 >> Dennis, is there any update on Rashid Shaheed?
05:32 And at some point, does it get concerning if he misses so many practices?
05:36 >> No, I'm not concerned at all.
05:38 He's going through the rehab process.
05:40 We're gonna be smart with him.
05:43 But I'm not concerned.
05:47 >> Would that be the case for all the guys who have missed multiple days?
05:50 >> Not really anybody that I'm overly concerned about, no.
05:54 >> Dennis, have you worked out how much Derrick will play?
05:57 >> Yeah. >> Sunday?
06:00 Would you like to share that?
06:01 >> I would not.
06:02 >> [LAUGH] >> I have a follow up.
06:05 >> The fact that he is new here, does that influence at all how much you would
06:08 like to see him?
06:09 >> Yeah, I think, look, I think you get into the game, you watch how the game's
06:12 going, and then we'll make a decision.
06:15 When I've seen enough, then we'll make a switch.
06:19 So it's kind of where we're at.
06:21 >> Dennis, what was the situation you were working in at the end of practice today?
06:24 Was it like in the game you all needed to score a touchdown?
06:27 >> Yeah, two minute.
06:29 Offense has ball and plus territory.
06:31 They're down seven.
06:32 And there's not a lot of time left, you only got one time out.
06:36 So that was the situation.
06:39 >> Dennis, you mentioned tackling earlier.
06:42 I'm curious, you don't wanna do any kind of live drills during camp?
06:47 >> No. >> Philosophy,
06:48 what's your philosophy on that?
06:49 >> Yeah, I think we're gonna get enough of that.
06:52 And again, part of the reason why I'm planning on playing the ones.
06:58 Let them get out there and play, and play the game.
07:01 Have to tackle and do all those kinds of things.
07:04 But if you've watched our practices, it's not live, but
07:10 yet it's about as close to live as you can get.
07:12 And there's guys that end up going down to the ground,
07:16 cuz that's the way the game's played.
07:18 >> Have you seen in recent years, because of the cutbacks and
07:22 the amount of time y'all can have, any effect on tackling as a defensive coach
07:28 in games, because y'all are not having to do much live?
07:31 >> Yeah, I don't think that's the factor.
07:34 I think overall, we've been a pretty good tackling team.
07:40 I don't know that we tackle quite as well as I would have liked to last year.
07:43 But look, we're working on it, we're addressing it, and
07:48 we'll get a chance to see in these games how we do.
07:52 >> Am I misremembering, or
07:53 would you normally have the officials in before the first preseason game?
07:57 >> Well, typically, we probably would have had the officials in, but
08:00 with two joint practices, we got the officials for the joint practices.
08:03 So, and we only get two times in a training camp.
08:08 >> DA, Kiki Cucci, was he an injury or a vet death?
08:14 >> Kiki will come out on the waiver wire today.
08:18 We released him this morning to make the spot for Jalen Smith.
08:22 >> Understood, thank you.
08:23 >> All right, thanks guys.