Dennis Allen has been promoted by the New Orleans Saints to replace Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator.

The Saints pulled the trigger after the team allowed an average of 44.3 points in the last three games. 

The Saints attempted to simplify Ryan's scheme in the offseason, and brought in a number of promising young rookies. 

Allen was fired last season as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Rob Ryan has been fired as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints' defense ranks last in the NFL in yards per game (424.7) and points per game (31.5).

Ryan became defensive coordinator of the Saints in 2013.

The New Orleans Saints have four of the 20 worst dead money deals in the NFL and $32.6 million in total, which is the highest in the league.

Jimmy Graham has a $9 million cap hit for the Saints, which is the fourth highest amount in the league this season. Ben Grubbs, Junior Galette and Curtis Lofton also represent significant dead money.

Jared Allen has $11.7 million in dead money on the Chicago Bears' cap, which is the highest amount in the NFL.

Ndamukong Suh ranks second with $9.7 million for the Detroit Lions, while Ray Rice's $9.5 million