Dwayne Allen

In comment 12800907 gidiefor said:

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In comment 12800898 BillT said: Quote: Tye will be the starter and Donnell will not be on the team. Donnell is a FA and not only hasn't shown improvement I think he clearly regressed last year. They won't resign him unless it's for vet min. Folks here are underestimating Tye who in 11 games put up pretty good numbers. He is another good street FA find at TE. Donnell is a Restricted Rights Free Agent -- so for all intensive purposes the Giants can sign him for a min salary

Good catch gidie. My bad. But I don't think it really changes much. So, he'll be in camp at a minimum salary but unless he shows some real improvement I don't think he's long for this team. Tye is already better and given he's not much of a blocker or STer is he who you want as the #2/3 TE?

In comment 12800965 chuckydee9 said:

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In comment 12800856 jlukes said: Quote: ? Bennett was never given an opportunity to start since you know he was behind a HoF TE... Allen hasn't been able to out produce Coby Fleener...

Function of Colts offense. Fleener is a Tight End that cant block and acts more like a WR. Allen is an all-around TE.

Allen was asked to stay in and block a ton more this year.

In comment 12800985 jlukes said:

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Function of Colts offense. Fleener is a Tight End that cant block and acts more like a WR. Allen is an all-around TE.

Ok that brings me back to the first question I asked.. Do we have any solid proof that he is a good blocker?

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/15/dwayne-allen-to-play-13-pounds-lighter-this-season/

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With all of the talk of the Colts planning to evolve and play even more three- and four-wide sets, Allen’s role should remain unchanged with fellow tight end Coby Fleener being the one possibly losing snaps. Allen is a key asset for the Indianapolis offense due to his premier blocking skills as an inline player.

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/indianapolis-colts-dwayne-allen-wasn-t-used-the-right-way-in-2015-011416

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“It was a long year, along with being used a ton in the pass-blocking game and being off the field on third down," Allen said. "That’s how crazy this year has been.

http://horseshoeheroes.com/2016/01/11/colts-dwayne-allen-on-upcoming-free-agency-i-plan-on-being-back/

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Utilized primarily as a blocker, Allen didn’t have the type of receiving production he would’ve hoped for. On the season, he had just 16 receptions for 109 receiving touchdowns and 1 receiving touchdown in 13 games. However, that was through no fault of Allen himself. The Colts offensive line collectively struggled, and Allen was called upon to block more than he was previously accustomed to. If the Colts can improve their offensive line this offseason, then there’s a better chance that Allen will be deployed more as a receiving option once again. Originally a 3rd round pick of the Colts in 2012 out of Clemson, Allen has emerged as one of the better young tight ends in football over the last four seasons with the team. Nevertheless, it’s unclear whether the Colts can afford both of their young and talented free agent tight ends in Allen, as well as Coby Fleener–who was a 2nd round pick of the team in the 2012 NFL Draft. If given the choice between the two, I’d lean towards Allen. While Allen has some durability concerns, he’s the Colts most complete tight end when healthy with his ability to both block and catch at a high level. Simply put, he gives this offense a dynamic option at its disposal compared to Fleener, who’s purely a pass catching tight end and conversely offers very little in the blocking department.

3/11 might be a little much but I wouldn't be too upset. I think they can get him for 3/9. What concerns me more is his injury history which is not good. I just don't see a lot of improvement on defense in FA. I'm hoping they can grab one of the couple safeties or DL available but that's probably it. Most of the defense will have to come from the draft. We can at least be glad the draft seems fairly defense heavy this year.

I can't believe how much people downplay the important of a 2 way TE. Saying Tye and/or Donnell are just as good is just wrong. Allen would be the immediate starter. The pass/run blocking of Tye and/or Donnell is non-existent. There's currently no money put into the TE position so I don't see how it hurts the team to add Allen. A blocker, receiver, and red zone threat.

I like Tye but I don't think his ceiling is much higher than we've already seen. If he can improve his blocking then maybe but he's got a ways to go.

In comment 12800823 Carl in CT said:

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2 DT, 3 DE, a Mike, a starting CB, two safeties and you want to upgrade a position where you had a player make NFL All Rookie. Give him time to develop and look at the other side of the ball. You need at least 55 million to be average.

Ridiculous...we don't need 3 DTs we have one great one and one pretty good one already. Same with CB and Collins is in the fold at safety.

You don't have to have good to great players at every position.

Need 2 DT's? (Why you said 3 who knows). We don't need a starting corner? We don't need 2 safeties? Yep we have Collins what do you want only 2 on the entire roster? Are you serious?

Who said that? We need numbers. We need good players to make the playoffs and compete.

Expensive target: Ledarius Green
Cheap Target: Andrew Quarless

In comment 12801119 Carl in CT said:

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Need 2 DT's? (Why you said 3 who knows). We don't need a starting corner? We don't need 2 safeties? Yep we have Collins what do you want only 2 on the entire roster? Are you serious?

Two DTs? I wouldn't say we NEED 2. I'd like to see someone to start next to Hankins, or at least a rotational guy. Nix and Hughes as backups.

That might be the reality of it.

So no, we only need one DT. 2 would be gravy.

Donnell and Tye are very similar types of player, except Tye doesn't trip as much. Any one else think so?

Tye actually reminded me more of Fells than Donnell. Donnell is just such a dopey player. Ideally we can upgrade the position and Tye will be the 2nd TE.

We need two.

Needs 22-30 new bodies on the final 53 for this year that's because with our injury history and lack of talent depth there are no sure bets going into the season. On this team today other than QB and RB if our projected starter is hurt there is no one ready to step in. We will not be able to fix all the problems in one year but we can improve the talent level on the team for sure. We just can't be foolish enough to think we are just a few players away from being a good team anymore.