METAIRIE, La. -- Tyrann Mathieu said he noticed something different about New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen this spring.
He tried to put his finger on it: A newfound confidence? A pep in his step? Something in the way he addressed the team at an early offseason meeting impressed Mathieu.
Mathieu, a team captain this season, shrugged when asked where that sense came from, guessing it's something that stems from Allen's competitive nature and the discourse surrounding him in Year 3 as coach.
"I assume it's like he was tired of getting pushed around," Mathieu said.