Going into his third year as a starter at defensive end, Pierre Allen has learned to lead by example. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Allen is from Denver and recorded five sacks each of the past two seasons.
Q: Are you embracing your role as one of the old guys on the team?
A: “I’m definitely embracing it. I’ve been around here for quite a few years now as ‘the young guy.’ I do try to lead these guys now, as (Ndamukong) Suh and Barry (Turner) and (Zach) Potter led.”
Q: What did you learn from Suh?
A: “From Suh, I took away the way he carries himself. He wasn’t very vocal. I just watched. He led by example — always first in line, always first to sprint. That’s a great example.”
Q: What’s the identity of the defense?
A: “Our identity is smash-mouth football. We want to stop the run, and we have the guys to do it. If they’re going to attempt to pass on us, we have so much talent back there in the secondary.”
Q: Which group is better — the secondary or the D-line?
A: “I think we’re all one. We’ve got a lot of veterans coming back all over. I don’t know. We’re pretty much even. Together, as one, we’re strong.”
Q: What does it mean to play in front of your 3-year-old son, Pierre Jr.?
A: “It means a lot. He’s Husker-crazy. He’s been Husker-crazy since he was about 2 and started knowing that his daddy plays football. I’m his hero. I’m his idol. It means a lot to go out there and make him happy. I think about him every minute of the day, so hopefully, I can extend my career and be able to provide for him, give him the tools in life that he needs.”
— Mitch Sherman
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