Dennis Allen talks Cameron Jordan and Chris Olave's availability and how the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions match up.
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00:00 to take place here. So again, look, the injury report will be out in an hour or so.
00:06 >> I didn't know if that always clarifies if they're still in it or
00:10 if they've completed.
00:12 >> Yeah, look, there's a chance that he could clear, so we'll just have to see.
00:17 >> Can you talk about A.D. Hutchinson and just the impact he has with him?
00:24 >> Yeah, look, I think he's an outstanding football player.
00:27 He's big, strong, he's tough, he's fast, plays extremely hard.
00:33 I mean, I think he's kind of the lifeblood of their defense and
00:40 the epitome of what their defense is, is just a tough, physical, gritty group.
00:44 He plays the run exceptionally well.
00:49 He's affected the passer.
00:51 I just think he's an outstanding football player.
00:53 I can't say enough good things about him.
00:55 >> What's gonna be the challenge in defending Amon Ross St.
00:57 Brown without Marshall Latimore in there?
00:59 >> Yeah, look, I mean, he'd be a challenge no matter who's in there covering him.
01:05 I think he's an outstanding player.
01:07 He does a great job of, he's smart, he's tough, he's highly competitive.
01:12 He does a really good job of getting in and out of his breaks.
01:17 He presents a lot of challenges in terms of being able to cover him.
01:20 And then, look, there's a lot of run after catch with that player.
01:23 So yeah, he's a really tough player to defend.
01:28 >> When you're preparing for somebody like that,
01:29 is it almost an expectation that you expect one of your top corners to shadow him?
01:33 But with Marshawn out,
01:34 you're kind of expecting both Paulson and Ike to see him at different times?
01:37 >> Yeah, look, I think the hard thing with him is he lines in a lot of different
01:40 places, so it's not like he's one of these guys that he's gonna go line up over at
01:45 the X position, where he's gonna be on 75, 80% of the snaps.
01:51 He lines up outside, he lines up in the slide, he lines up in the backfield,
01:55 he's all over the place.
01:55 So there's a good chance there'll be a multitude of players that'll have to be on
02:00 him at any point.
02:02 >> What is more challenging to take away, their passing,
02:04 their running, or their running?
02:05 >> Both.
02:06 I mean, look, they do a really good job at both.
02:10 They run the ball exceptionally well.
02:12 Their offensive line is a big physical group.
02:15 They've got two really good runners.
02:19 One's a little bit more of a tough, physical,
02:23 pounds you type runner, the other one runs hard, runs physical.
02:30 But he's got a little bit more of the slash type of running style to him.
02:37 So both of them present challenges.
02:39 Obviously in the passing game, again, it really starts with protecting
02:45 the quarterback and giving him clean pockets to throw into.
02:48 And they do a really good job on their play action passing game.
02:51 Again, it's another team that they've got their shots down the field and
02:55 yet there's a lot of things where they're getting the ball underneath and
02:59 getting a lot of run after catch.
03:00 So look, I think this is just a really good talented offense that we're facing.
03:05 They operate at a high level and it'll be a challenge.
03:09 >> Dennis, I was kind of surprised at their low sack total because they do have
03:12 a quarterback who will stay in the bucket.
03:14 I thought maybe that would give teams opportunities to get to him.
03:17 But what is it that they do well to avoid those sacks?
03:20 >> A couple things.
03:21 I mean, again, they've got a pretty good system of play action,
03:28 passing game with some max protection stuff to give him some time and
03:32 some clean pockets to throw into.
03:34 And then when they get into their drop back passing game,
03:37 he gets through his progressions pretty good and finds the open guy.
03:40 And it doesn't really hold on to the ball a lot.
03:42 So I think they just look, they executed a high level.
03:50 >> They should like you got what you wanted, extra ribs on the day work.
03:53 >> Yes.
03:54 >> Go ahead.
03:55 >> Look, I thought we had some good work.
03:58 So now we've got to go out on Sunday and execute.
04:01 So that's really all it's about now.
04:03 >> After going through the week, is this a week maybe for Jimmy Graham or
04:07 how do you feel about him going in?
04:08 >> I think there's a potential we can see.
04:11 >> And this is random, but maybe dumb even, but he has rest days on Wednesdays,
04:18 even though he's been inactive.
04:20 Just kind of walk us through why that is.
04:22 >> Yeah, I mean, I think when you've got an older veteran player like that,
04:27 we kind of knew that coming in when we signed him.
04:32 That's kind of been the routine that he's been through in the last several years.
04:35 So we've kind of been able to just kind of stick to that routine a little bit.
04:40 >> Cam obviously doesn't miss many games.
04:42 I mean, does he have a chance to play this weekend?
04:45 >> Yeah, he'll be questionable for the game.
04:47 And look, with Cam Jordan, we're gonna go all the way up until
04:51 the very last minute to make that final determination.
04:55 So I know Cam wants to play.
04:58 I know he's been working extremely hard to get himself ready to play.
05:01 And if he can play and be effective, then he'll be out there.
05:04 >> Just curious, I know don't practice, don't play is typically,
05:07 I guess, how teams look at it.
05:09 How many veterans would you be comfortable playing if they don't practice all week?
05:16 >> Look, I don't know what the number is.
05:17 I think there's certain guys that I think have enough experience in our league.
05:23 That they can go out and, particularly a guy like Cam that's been in the system for
05:29 a long time.
05:30 So I think that's all based on the individual.
05:34 >> Dennis said Derrick's been getting a lot of criticism locally, fans.
05:39 Not a ghost quarterback position.
05:41 I mean, but I've noticed messaging from the organization, you, Mickey,
05:45 Pete yesterday, kind of deflecting some of that.
05:48 I mean, do you feel it's warranted toward the quarterback,
05:52 some of the criticism that's coming?
05:53 >> Look, obviously when you're not winning like you wanna win,
05:58 there's certainly the head coach, the quarterback, the coordinators.
06:04 That's where the brunt of the criticism goes.
06:08 And look, rightfully so, cuz that's really where those
06:12 are the key cogs in the operation.
06:16 And so I think we all understand that that kind of comes with the territory
06:20 a little bit.
06:21 And Derrick's just gonna put his head down and go to work.
06:26 But it's a team game, and there's three phases that go along with it.
06:31 There's 11 players out there on the field on every play.
06:33 And everybody's gotta be able to execute to have success.
06:37 >> Have you seen him this week respond in any way at all?
06:41 >> Yeah, look, I think he had a good week of practice.
06:42 So I'm pleased with and comfortable with where Derrick Carr is.
06:48 >> You tell us a little bit about A.T.
06:52 Perry, Keith Kirkwood, Lynn Bowden, if those guys have elevated roles this week,
06:55 just sort of where the confidence level is in them.
06:58 >> Yeah, look, I mean, all of those guys have played games.
07:02 Obviously, A.T.'s a young player.
07:05 But I think he's come in and done some good things when he's been in the game.
07:10 And Keith Kirkwood's been a guy that's been around for a long time,
07:15 in and out of our program for several years.
07:18 So as a guy that we feel confident that can go in and
07:21 execute the job that we're gonna ask him to do.
07:24 And certainly feel the same way about Lynn Bowden.
07:26 I mean, he's had an increased role in the last few weeks, and
07:30 he's stepped up and done some good things.
07:32 So we'll have the guys out there that we feel like give us the best chance to win.
07:37 So if they're called upon to go out there and play,
07:40 we're gonna expect them to go play at a level that gives us an opportunity to win.
07:44 >> And how might Lynn Bowden's versatility just play into his opportunity here this
07:49 weekend?
07:50 >> Well, look, I think it's already played into his opportunity.
07:53 So he's a versatile player, can do several different things.
07:57 We've played him outside, we've played him in the slot,
08:01 we've used him to block, a lot of different things.
08:03 So if he's called on, we'll put him in a position to hopefully give
08:09 him a chance to have success.
08:11 >> How much of a gun check is this game, with the team you're facing, but
08:16 also the injuries on so many key positions?
08:18 >> Yeah, look, I mean, it's the nature of our league, though.
08:23 So we got a good team coming in here.
08:26 We get an opportunity in front of the home crowd.
08:29 We're excited about the opportunity.
08:31 And we're gonna go out and give it our best effort and
08:34 feel confident in our football team.
08:37 >> Going back to Graham, is that just dependent on a lobby status or
08:41 would you like to see it be up because the red zone?
08:45 >> Yeah, we'll see.
08:46 >> All right, thanks.