Everything Saints coach Dennis Allen, quarterback Derek Carr said after beating the Cowboys

Everything New Orleans head coach Dennis Allen, quarterback Derek Carr and the Saints said after beating the Dallas Cowboys 44-19 on Sunday at AT&T Stdaium. Quotes courtesy of the Cowboys and Saints media relations staffs.

Coach Dennis Allen

Obviously, a good win for us. Excited about that. I thought our guys came out. They were ready to play. They played the type of football that we want to play as a football team. That’s a good team that we beat today and our guys made some plays. I thought our guys did a pretty good job up front. We kept the quarterback clean. We were able to run the football effectively. Defensively, we knew this was going to be one of these games. They were going to get some yards at times.

But the plan was to have to kick field goals when they got down there in the red area. I thought we did a good job of doing that. Played good red zone defense. And so the difference I think really was we were able to kind of score touchdowns on our drives and we forced them to have to kick some field goals. I think it was a big part of the game. But obviously, excited about getting the win against a good football team. And yet it’s week two of the season. So we still have a lot of things we have to improve on. We’ll get back to work tomorrow and start planning on Philadelphia.

On keys to keeping Dallas’ pass rushers in check.

Well, look, I think part of it was we were able to run football. And when you’re able to run the ball and you’re able to put yourself in manageable situations, you’re not having to get into a drop back passing mode where they can just unleash their pass rush. I think Klint and the guys had a good plan for how they wanted to protect in the passing game, and I think our offense line did a good job executing.

On if there is something he can identify about what it is about this offense that he seems so comfortable and relaxed.

Yeah, I think he’s been freed up a little bit in terms of not having to control every single thing on the line of scrimmage. He’s able to really go out there and play. And I think, you know, all the backs tend to play better when you’re able to run the football effectively. And our offense line has done a good job of protecting him. And I think that’s always been the case. I feel like when Derek is able to be protected, then he’s pretty good at throwing the football.

On what he thought of Alvin Kamara.

I thought he was awesome again. I thought really good. I thought he ran the ball well. I thought he ran the ball physical. He caught the ball on the screenplay. There was a lot of good things that I saw. I think he’s playing really good football for us.

Alvin was pretty adamant in camp that he wasn’t an aging running back – he felt fresh. Is that something you can just see from him going into the season?

I never felt like he was an aging running back. I felt like he was still an explosive player. And I think we’re utilizing him in a way that allows him to be effective. I think he’s still one of those guys that if you create some space, and he’s able to operate in space, I think he’s pretty good. I thought he ran the ball well, and I thought he caught the ball well out of the backfield.

On Tailese Fuega playing today.

I think once we kind of got to the stadium, we felt like he was going to be good to go. You never really know with the back. Sometimes that thing can flare up and cause some problems. Any of you guys that have ever had back issues or whatever, it’s something that’s hard to kind of play through. But I thought he did a great job of playing through it, and for a rookie to really not practice during the week...I can’t tell you exactly how he played, but I’d say the fact that we were able to run football and protect the quarterback, I’d say he probably did okay.

On the Rashid Shaheed post touchdown.

Yeah, I thought protected it up. Shaheed ran by him. Derek put it in a perfect spot. [It’s] kind of the way you draw it up.

On what they’re doing as coaches to have the team so dialed in based on how it’s executing.

I think it’s two-fold. I think it’s being detailed with the plan, and exactly what we’re trying to get accomplished, why we’re trying to do things a certain way. And holding guys accountable to do it that way. And I think when our guys see that they have success with that, then they begin to believe in the message and believe in the system and believe in the things that we’re teaching. And then you get that cohesion that you really need to be effective as a team. And so, yeah, I think our guys know that if we play the way we’re capable of playing and do the things that we know that we have to do for us to be successful, I think they believe that that gives him a great chance to win.

On if there was anything he saw in terms of Derek Carr’s approach. He said he worked tirelessly to ensure he didn’t start slowly in a new system.

Look, he’s always worked hard, so that’s not anything new. I think as much as anything, Derek’s been so much more visible around the building. You know, a lot of times guys, especially as you get older and have kids and families and all these kinds of things, and other things that kind of pull at you, with the iPads and all this stuff, you can kind of do your preparation at home. And yet you can get yourself ready, but there’s something about everybody kind of seeing everything the same way. And there’s something about everybody seeing our best players in the building watching tape and studying and getting themselves prepared. It’s hard if you’re a young guy or somebody like that, when you see a Derek Carr, an Alvin Kamara, one of these guys in the building preparing, it’s hard for them to think that it’d be anything less than acceptable for them to be doing that.

On how he said this would be a big test for the team, coming in here and beating a team that had won 16 straight regular season games. On how his team was ready to play.

Look, this, this was a good football team that we played, and we were certainly ready to go play the game. And yet I don’t think we looked at this as anything other than this is the next corner on our schedule, and really it’s about us. It’s about us going out and doing the things that we know that we can do for us to be successful. And that’s really what we focused on. And yeah, that’s a really good football team that we just played. And so hopefully our team will gain some confidence with that.

On what the plan with CeeDee Lamb today, especially with Marshon Lattimore being out.

Yeah, well, we knew that we had to try to take him away. I mean, obviously he had the one big play in the game, but other than that, I thought we did a pretty good job on him of trying to take him out of the game. This is really explosive offense and trying to eliminate the explosive plays, knowing that there’s a chance that they can move the ball, and then how do we do a good job down there in the red zone and make them have to kick field goals. I thought we were able to do that today.

On how close Marshon Lattimore was to being able to play today.

Look, he wanted to play. That was really my decision, and it really boiled down to – I didn’t want to risk what we think might be potentially a one week deal, and him going out there and all of a sudden we turn one week into four weeks. So that was a decision that I made, and he wanted to play. I think he was a little pissed at me that I didn’t let him play.

On if he ran out of game balls.

We haven’t gone through that yet, but it was certainly a good win for out team.

On if there are any updates on Taysom Hill.

Taysom had a chest injury. I think they took him for some extra evaluations, so he went to the hospital and will be evaluated further. I think it’s more precautionary but we’ll see.

A chest injury in what sense?

I don’t really know exactly, to be honest with you. I just know “chest injury,” and they wanted to make sure they went in and evaluated it further. Maybe some more imaging.

Quarterback Derek Carr

On how much time was spent on his Michael Jackson celebrations...

Not much time. I was a dancer in my day. Don’t let the four kids fool you. I had to lure their mom in somehow.

On if he had to explain what the dance was...

That’s a really good point but to their credit, they knew who he was. That was a good question.

On the ease of the Saints scoring...

I don’t have the answers for everything. I don’t know why the scoring is one way or this or that. All I know is that we believe in one another and we had a really hard offseason. We had a really hard training camp. You ask anybody in there, the workouts, the practices, it was tough. It was really hard. But it was meant for moments like this. There were probably days that we were pissed at DA or something like that you know for “man, gosh, pads again?!” I think all football players gripe about it, but I guarantee you now every single man in that locker room is thankful for those hard days. For the way we’ve started this year. Again, we’re thankful for the start, get off to a fast start. But as we all know, next week is a whole different test.

On how helpful it is to go against the Saints defense in practice...

One hundred percent. Y’all saw it best. The back and forth during camp. Wow that’s pretty cool right? The defense looks good now right? The offense makes a play, you know, usually when it’s back and forth like that, especially when it’s a good defense, it’s a good sign for your offense. For us, what a challenge every single day that you wake up, you have to set your mind to come compete against them. It one hundred percent helped us as a football team. The way that they attacked the football, the way that they make the windows tight. We had some tight window throws today and I justremember just throwing that rep in practice and I see them in game today and I was like man I’m thankful for Adebo and Tae and Marshon being that close on the coverage. I’m thankful for that because we get in the game, and we’re used to that. There are so many examples but going up against the starting defense all year definitely made us a better football team on offense.

On if he did anything different preparing for this season...

Yeah, I kind of hit on it in camp like before OTA practice or before training camp practice. Me and JT would go out, I’d just ask somebody, hey meet me out there early and Jordan Traylor would come out there and he would go through the whole practice for me. I’ve been through learning offenses a lot and I’m like how do I start faster this time? How can I be betterthis time than I’ve ever been starting a new offense. I always learn it; I always know it but it’ s the reps. So we were doing double practices. I would run through the practice, all my reps, then we’d take about 10 minutes and take a break and start the real practice. It was really just getting those extra reps in. Alot of extra meetings, a lot of extra time. I’m sure Klint was really tired of me coming back up there every day but I just promised our team and I promised our city I would do everything in my power, it’s not going to be perfect, but everything in my power and exhaust everything that I can begin to imagine to be better this year. So far, we’ve started off good.

On if he has accepted the fact that he needs to take some things off his plate or if he has been forced to do that...

Definitely. I’ve had to bite my tongue a lot because I’m so used to playing a certain way. But change isn’t always a bad thing. There are things that Klint lets me communicate with him. There is some say so, it’s not like I’m just standing back there with my hands behind my back. But it is a lot different than what I’m used to but I’m thankful for it because there’s this happy view of doing what we’re doing and doing the things that I want to do and the way that my mind works. But also me taking a step back and saying, okay what’s best for our team and what’s best for me. What’s best for everybody around me? Yeah, maybe Derek can do that but can the other 10 handle that, that and that. It’s different for everybody. It’s not just how my brain works, it’s how everybody’s brain works. There’s a lot of things that sometimes you have to take a step back and say what’s the best thing for all of us. They’ve done a great job of just letting me be free and letting me be me. Just be an athlete, just go play quarterback. So far, it’s been awesome. It’s been a lot of fun.

On if there is something about this offense that fits what he does well:

“I don’t know. This is a tough one to answer for yourself. I’ve been comfortable in everything I’ve really done. There’s some things I prefer to do than others. And in this offense, it allows me to do a lot of the things that I like to do, I’ll say it that way. Without getting too into what I like and what I don’t like. There is a lot of things in this offense the way Klint [Kubiak, Offensive Coordinator] does things, the way he sets me up for success, puts me in position for success, it allows me to do a lot of things I enjoy doing as a quarterback. Today, it was a protection thing. I was able to do a protection thing. So I’m still able to be myself, but within this system. It’s been a really cool marriage of that. And me and Klint are just getting to know each other. We’re only two games in, and so we are still learning each other. There’s questions like, do want this one on this hash, or what are you thinking. If you call this, do you want, there’s still those questions. We’re still learning each other and getting better. He’s still putting me and our guys in position to be comfortable and be successful.”

On the touchdown to Rashid Shaheed and was it the same look as last week or was it different:

“There was a cloud to his side, quarter zone left -- my left. And, God blessed him to be able to run really fast and I just prayed that that ball got there. I came out of that fake with the coverage and I’m thinking Chris [Olave] all the way. I’m going to have to throw this up to Chris unless the corner is there, I’ll trade it down. As soon as I turned around, I saw Rashid [Shaheed] that far down the field. And I was like holy crap, he was out running them. The way he ran and the angle he took was so elite. I was just like, thank you so much for seeing that the way that you saw it. I saw it, and I was like please hit it. He hit it, and I was like, oh my gosh, ‘this guy.’ He’s different. He’s a game changer for sure.”

On Rashid’s ability to track a ball, because they are not easy to catch:

“No doubt. Some of those, I throw them really high, too, so it is hard to gauge them when they are really high, too. Especially with that stadium. The lights are so bright for those guys. All that stuff matters. For him to be able to track them every time and be able to make a play on that football is really impressive. I think a lot of guys can run fast, but a lot of us can’t track balls. So it’s a really good catch because he is really good at that.”

On the offensive line getting a lot of criticism in the offseason and how they have played so far:

“I am just really proud of them. They see the outcome but they don’t see the work that they put in. The cohesiveness and the bond that they have, the time they spend together, the unity. I’m just really proud of them. They just have to keep that same mindset. Keep that same mindset, keep that same chip on our shoulder, and just keep going. But I am really proud of those guys.”

On how he has sought advice:

“I take advice from a lot of people. The people I care about, and Drew is one of them. I talk to him a lot. Peyton is another one. I am thankful for those guys to give me hours of their time during the offseason. One thing I hear them saying, its the reps. Reps, reps, reps. Okay, that’s awesome, how does that translate for me? The reps thing, I always felt more comfortable towards the middle and end of seasons. I was like, what if I get more reps beforehand. I don’t know, try everything. And it ended up helping. I just feel more comfortable at the beginning of a year, starting in a new offense. Definitely credit to those guys, asking them questions, not just asking questions to ask them. These are hall of famers. Asking those guys questions, picking their brain, I’m so thankful for their time that they gave me. Because they poured into my life and its benefited our team, and I appreciate that.

On when he started seeking advice, as early as OTAs:

“I think it was. I can’t remember what practice exactly.”

On his golf outing with Drew, who is known for taking lots of mental reps:

“I think we were on the phone before that. We had talked really close to after the season. And then during the golf outing, a little more hanging out, having fun, and still talking about things. I just am grateful for the advice he gives. Anything you can get from those guys is like gold for a quarterback. They definitely helped me for sure.”

On scoring TDs in his first six possessions and if this felt like a replay of last week with that kind of success:

“We were able to run the football. And anytime you can run the football and run the line of scrimmage, every coach is going to talk about it, every coach is going to preach it until they are blue in the face. But our guys, they have just been executing really well, up front. In football, you go as the trenches go. Our guys have bought into the system, they have bought into the culture, the coaching. And you see the work paying off. You see what our guys have done. What our offensive line and our tight ends and our backs and receivers – what all those guys have done in the first two weeks, is really incredible. And really selfless. You see Rahid in there, throwing his hat in there getting a block. We’ll all talk about the touchdown. His Madden rating will go up, great, yeah, awesome. His willingness to throw his hat in there on a weakside run and take three guys out last week. Everyone is like, the man made the play today, making the block on that run. This game is a team game. It is a selfless game. When you’re a team, and when you’re selfless, these kinds of days can happen. Our guys were fully bought into that. For me, as one of the leaders on this team, that makes me so happy to see. You never know whose day its going to be, who is going to have a big day. To see our guys buy into that the first couple weeks has been really cool.”

On being able to get Kamara in space:

“It’s a lot in the system. Just the plays, the design and things like that. Again, you talk about a hard worker. That guy is unbelievable...I really believe that Klint and those guys do a really good job of getting the playmakers in space, (utilizing) the speed and covering the whole field sideline-to-sideline and goal line-to-goal line. Put the speed everywhere and getting guys in space. Out guys do a really good job of that.”

On being able to run on third down:

“You get different looks on third down and DA has a lot of trust in us to go for it on fourth down. There’s times where he’s like we’re going to kick a field goal here and i know that on third down so I know that based on my decision. Or we’ve got four downs. Ok, well if the run is there, great! We can still run the football here. A lot of teams have crazy blitz pressures. But we’ve got to do a good job of getting on their side of the field or in what we consider our four down territory to be able to run the ball like that. When our guys execute, it helps the offensive line. Being able to do that on third down helps the o-line, it helps the receivers. When teams don’t know what we’re going to do...that right there is gold to us. Again, we’ve been in a lot of situations where hey we’ve got four downs here, shoot run it if we get the look...That’s a good time to run it. Or maybe there will be a time where we don’t run it one time. Every game will be different.”

On Taliese Fuaga’s performance:

“I hugged him, said I loved him and said thanks for battling through it...I was taught it works at all, you’ll be out there. To see that in a young guy is really impressive because you never know. I’ve seen some crazy things in my 11 years. When he stepped out there, I asked if he was good and without hesitation, he said he would be good and he would be there. He went out, he competed and he played really well. To see that from a rookie in his second game against a really good defense, against a really good football team, it says a lot about him. Our teammate should be really thankful that he’s on our football team.”

On his dance:

“I’m a dancer. People don’t know a lot about me...I’m always dancing. One time I hit the Michael Jackson and they were like you’ve got to do that when you score.”

On Rashid Shaheed’s route running:

“It goes back to what we talked about in training camp. We’ve got a lot of things that look the same but are different even with route steps...We talked about the touchdown, but he ran a five yard route over the ball in the briar patch. We gave it to him. He gets veritcal and gets some yards for us. If he can do all that stuff for us, that is huge. But then you see him do run a post. We’re not going to go into a game without him having one...He’s doing everything we’ve asked him – him and 12. They’re both doing everything we’ve asked them...When you’re thatselfless, things just work out for you especially in football.”

On if he foresaw this offensive outburst:

“The people in that locker room, we all believe in one another. We expected it. Our expectations are high for ourselves. We always talk about we don’t play for the scoreboard, we play to the standard. So, we wanted to set our standard as leaders this offseason is to just be different. So far, it’s paying off. At the end of the day, I just want to win. Forty points is awesome. It’s cool. Second time in franchise history, that is cool. That should make a lot of people feel good but at the end of the day, we won the football game. As long as we can keep doing that, I’ll be happy. Our expectation is like whatever it takes to win...Hopefully we can keep doing it. That makes it a lot of fun but we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”