Saints: Alvin Kamara pulls back the curtain on his coach's feelings about the Raiders
The New Orleans Saints not only won on Sunday in Week 8 – they won in blowout fashion. Every game is important in the NFL, so of course, this one was important for a previously 2-5 team trying to keep pace in the division. Actually, there was more than one reason why this game was […]
The New Orleans Saints not only won on Sunday in Week 8 – they won in blowout fashion. Every game is important in the NFL, so of course, this one was important for a previously 2-5 team trying to keep pace in the division.
Actually, there was more than one reason why this game was labeled as an important one.
In case some have forgotten, Saints head coach Dennis Allen used to be the head coach for the Raiders. Naturally, one is inclined to think that added a layer of personal motivation to the equation.
But Allen told folks all week long it was just another game, which was interesting, all things considered.
As it turns out, this week's matchup with the Raiders did mean something to Allen.
And it meant a lot.
“He lied," running back Alvin Kamara told the media after the Week 8 win. "During the week … He didn't really say anything about it. But in the locker room, he was like, ‘Yeah, I lied. This sh*t meant a lot to me.’ I stick to what I said, we was going to go out there and beat their ass, and we did that."
While Dennis Allen will remain a "professional" and say what he is supposed to say, you love to hear players say that a coach said something like this in the locker room. This just shows the fire Allen has, and fans should enjoy it too.
And Allen has a reason to be upset about how his time with the Raiders went, but the reason is with himself.
The following puts Allen's time with the Raiders in perspective and as you can see, it's not very good:
During the Dennis Allen era, the Raiders had a win percentage of .222, which was one of the worst during that time. The Raiders averaged the second-most points per game, had the fifth-fewest takeaways, and allowed the third-most sacks.
Those rankings and statistics are terrible, to say the least. So, in a way, this was about showing the Raiders they made the wrong decision, and that Allen is a good coach.
I think Allen showed a few things on Sunday against his former team. However, he still has more to show. Let's see if he can get the Saints out of this hole they are in.
Featured Image Via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
