3 things the Saints must do in 2022 to get back to the playoffs

2. Dennis Allen must be an effective leader

There is a reason why many football fans aren’t picking the Saints as one of the best teams in the NFC. That reason is that Sean Payton is no longer the head coach and Dennis Allen is his replacement.

The last time we saw Dennis Allen as a head coach was with the Oakland Raiders from 2012-2014. His overall coaching record was 8-28 but the Saints organization hopes his last unsuccessful coaching campaign was more about the Raiders organization and not the man himself.

Please make no mistake; Dennis Allen has big shoes to fill. He is replacing the greatest head coach in Saints history; a man who brought legitimacy to a once snake-bitten franchise.

Allen has to show he can coach this Saints team. Being a successful coordinator is one thing, but being a successful head coach is another. Getting 53 guys to buy into your system and putting those players in the best position to succeed is a must. Allen already has an advantage over most new NFL head coaches, as he has been a part of the Saints organization. The players know him, and so do the coaches.

Most importantly he’s not coming in to save the team. The team already has an excellent structure. All Allen has to do is drive the ship and ensure it doesn’t crash but he can not navigate the way Payton did. He has to do it his way.

If Allen can get the players on board, keep them motivated, and make the necessary adjustments on game day, the Saints will be one of the best teams in the NFC.