Former LSU Tiger Kendrick Allen recently joined 12 other former Southeastern Conference players on the New Orleans Saints active roster.
“Being a rookie is frustrating, but I told him to just keep his head up and everything worked out for him,” said former Georgia defensive end Charles Grant. “Now he’s doing things he never imagined he would do and making the kind of money that he never thought he would make.”
Allen was signed from the practice squad on Oct. 4, giving the Saints additional depth at the defensive tackle position.
“We had some guys hurt, and he came in and stepped up to make some plays,” said wide receiver Donte Stallworth. “He is a guy that will come in and provide that spark for us that we need.”
Defensive end Darren Howard said he knew from training camp that Allen was talented and could be a player for the Saints, but Allen did not make the active roster until midseason.
“In training camp I thought he was pretty good,” Howard said. “A lot of guys are in training camp, and a lot of guys don’t make the squad. This is my fourth year, and I have seen a lot of players that I thought were good football players that did not make this team. I thought he was a good player but he just didn’t happen to make the squad.”
First round draft pick and former Georgia Bulldog Jonathan Sullivan said he has seen steady improvement in Allen’s play.
“He is playing with a lot of momentum, and he really loves the game,” Sullivan said. “He is playing better and better every week.”
Grant anticipates Allen becoming a starter for the Saints sometime down the road due to his knowledge, ability and drive.
“I think right now he has all of the basics down, and in the future I think he will be a starter here and he is going to be big time player,” Grant said. “Especially with the fundamentals he has now and just improving year after year will make him a better player.”
Another former Tiger recently began practicing with the Saints. Defensive tackle Howard Green was signed to the practice squad after training camp. Green spent last season and this year’s training camp in Houston playing for the Texans but was released following an injury.
“Things went well for me over there,” Green said. “Unfortunately I got hurt. It’s a business so you have to understand. You have to move on.”
Green’s misfortune turned into a dream come true as he was released from the Texans and picked up by the Saints.
“Everything is great,” Green said. “It’s a dream come true for me. I am a hometown guy, and I have been here all my life. I’ve always watched the Saints, and they gave me a chance. Ultimately my goal is to get on the field and help the team as much as possible. Right now, I’m just trying to get the job done. I have the opportunity to show what I can do on the practice field.”
The Saints are laden with SEC talent featuring 13 players on the active roster. Grant said SEC players have an advantage going into the NFL and are more likely to succeed because of the level of play in the conference.
“I think the SEC does real well because the guys that come out of that conference are hard-nosed players,” Grant said. “They really know how to win. That’s a key for the SEC.”
Allen said he is enjoying the bragging rights he holds this year over the other SEC players as the Tigers have had a successful season.
“We talk a lot of noise, and right now I have bragging rights on everybody,” Allen said. “It’s all about bragging rights. As long as my boys down there in Tigerland keep doing good, I’ll keep them.”
Grant said Allen used those bragging rights following the Georgia game.
“He gave me a real hard time,” Grant said. “I had to take him out to three different restaurants, whatever he wanted.”
Allen said he hopes the Tigers take Saban’s advice and not pay attention to the polls or BCS, just win.
“I am a coach Saban protege so I don’t pay any attention to the polls,” Allen said. “I want my boys to focus on Ole Miss then come back the next week and focus on Arkansas. The BCS can do whatever they want to do.
“I’m looking for us to win out. I want bragging rights on everybody, everybody.”