Mon Sep 23 21:25:19 UTC 2024: ## Saints Coach Defends Players Amidst Accusations of Dirty Play Against Eagles

**METAIRIE, La. -** New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen defended his players Monday after the Philadelphia Eagles accused them of dirty play during their 15-12 victory Sunday. The accusations stemmed from several incidents involving Saints players, including tackles on Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith and a confrontation between defensive backs and Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Allen acknowledged the intensity of the game but insisted that his team doesn’t play dirty. “I’d say our guys play extremely hard and we’re going to compete until the down is over,” Allen said. “I don’t think we play dirty. I don’t think we ever have played dirty. It’s not the way we coach it, not the way we teach it, but we do play hard.”

Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was traded to the Eagles from the Saints in 2022, accused Saints rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd of taking a “cheap shot” on Smith. Gardner-Johnson, who witnessed the play, called it “the dirtiest s— I ever saw in football.”

Smith, who was placed into concussion protocol following the hit, had been brought down by two Saints defenders when Boyd came in from the other side and hit him high as he was going backwards. The play, which resulted in Smith’s helmet coming off, was not flagged.

Boyd, however, denied any intent to injure Smith, stating in a now-deleted Instagram story, “Just trying to make a play on the ball. Get well soon 6.”

Another Saints player, defensive end Payton Turner, was accused of spitting on Smith while he was on the ground after a play, an accusation Turner vehemently denied on X (formerly Twitter).

Saints right tackle Trevor Penning also drew a penalty for unnecessary roughness after blocking Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. into the sideline bench, his second such penalty this season. Slay left the game with an injury but later reported on X that he was okay.

“We can’t have that,” Allen said regarding Penning’s penalty. “You’ve got to have some awareness of where you’re at on the field. That could’ve been a really costly penalty. I love the aggressiveness, but at the same time, we can’t hurt the team.”

The game also saw heated words exchanged between Saints defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu and Marshon Lattimore and Carter near the Eagles sideline in the final minute. The incident, fueled by the intense competition, led to a brief confrontation, which was swiftly resolved by Eagles coaches.

“Obviously man, it’s an intense game. … And emotions get high,” Mathieu said after the game. “Obviously it was a one-point game for a while there. I think defensively, obviously we want to defend our home field. But obviously, me and Lat, we should never go to those guys’ sidelines.”

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