The Curious Adventures of Dwayne Allen

Stitch01

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He's the 12th TE for cap number right now according to over the cap. Gronk and Allen combined are 2nd. Basically a 1 year contract for Allen with 2 team options since the Colts were kind enough to pay most of the guaranteed money already.

Pats number on the cap this year for Allen only $2MM more than the Colts actually

Really like this solution the more that I think about it, this is the perfect type of contract to add given Gronk's status.
 
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BigSoxFan

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Not going to lie - the thought of a healthy Gronk and Allen blocking for a power running back (AP? Blount? Someone else?) is exciting and brings back fond memories of clock killin' Corey Dillon. I really don't know how teams will prepare for the Patriots if the team is healthy. They'll basically be able to play any style they want.
 

RG33

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Love this deal in general, and have always thought Allen was more talented than he has thus far shown. He is a solid TE1 in the NFL, and could be a fantastic TE2 on the Patriots with this offense. At $5 million per for 2 years, it is a really good contract -- he probably won't see year 3 (or at least it will get restructured). As much of a proponent of franchising Bennett that I was -- I like this much better. Great value.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Love Bennett. Battled through a bunch of injuries, including some that looked like season-enders in real time.

But I like this a lot. Price is right, good player. Nagging injuries are a tad worrisome but aren't they always. Indy has been so one-dimensional and often over-reliant on Luck throwing deep to cover for their terribad defense that it's easy to imagine some untapped potential* for a solid guy coming to a versatile offense that knows how to exploit matchups better than most (if not all).

*To be fair, I'd say this of just about anyone given how guys seem to respond upon arrival in NE. I pretty much believe at this point that BB knows most other teams and players better than they know themselves.
 

CantKeepmedown

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It's interesting skimming over the Colts forum about this. They seem pretty happy to see Allen go and are happy with what they got. Much like BIlls fans were with Hogan. Let's hope for the same results.
 

TheoShmeo

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It's interesting skimming over the Colts forum about this. They seem pretty happy to see Allen go and are happy with what they got. Much like BIlls fans were with Hogan. Let's hope for the same results.
If it's possible to sift out the knuckle draggers' comments, what's the gist of why they are happy to see Allen go?
 
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CantKeepmedown

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Mostly just not liking Allen at all on the field, so a lot were hoping for a 6-7 round pick. A lot of "stone hands" comments. They like that Doyle has emerged so they viewed Allen as pretty expendable. They viewed a 4th round pick as a win.

There were a few that made inevitable "he's going to the Pats, watch him become an all-pro" comments too.
 

j44thor

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Seems like last year was a down year for Allen, especially in blocking, from most unbiased reports. Perhaps injuries played a role.

Don't think we are getting Bennett here.
Let's just hope Allen is better than Chandler was.
 

loshjott

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It's funny how we as fans in these situations are thinking/writing, "I wonder if [Player X] will take a discount to come back" and at the same time BB is going after someone else and making the decision for them.
 

bakahump

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Pick 200? Sucks. No way they can get an impact guy even close to that pick.
 

tims4wins

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It's funny how we as fans in these situations are thinking/writing, "I wonder if [Player X] will take a discount to come back" and at the same time BB is going after someone else and making the decision for them.
Ha, this is prescient given the Gilmore news
 

bakahump

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Agree - Mahh-tee will be missed. A fun athlete to follow. I like your concept of the "short term" Patriot HOF. Allow me to nominate: Revis, Brian Waters, Mark Anderson, and Albert Haynesworth (kidding..)
Isnt Wes Welker and Randy Moss the gold Standard for this? Or would they be the "really good Pats that couldnt get them over the hump HOF".
 

MarkBT

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Isnt Wes Welker and Randy Moss the gold Standard for this? Or would they be the "really good Pats that couldnt get them over the hump HOF".
They would be.. but I was looking at guys that played 1-2 seasons (like Bennett) and were just fun guys to watch/root for
 

Unin10D

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I will be forever grateful for the black unicorn in the 2016 season. Like the best breakups, it's quick and to the point, and we can all move on.

Seriously though, this dude was awesome, he drinks for free in Boston now
 

RetractableRoof

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Damn. If this happens, Raiders are going to be loaded...[/QUOTE]
Especially with that o-line.
 
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NortheasternPJ

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Seems like a year ago since the Pats got Allen but in his conference call today he said blocking is a lost art.


Seems like the kind of guy who'll fit in nicely and do what's asked of him.
 

ElcaballitoMVP

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Allen has always been known as a very good blocker, dating back to his rookie season. He won't be a huge threat in the passing game, but he's perfect as the #2 option who can do the dirty work to free Gronk up in the passing game. Having taken Allen in our RFP (is that what it was called?) draft years ago, I've kept an eye on him and believe he can make an impact even when he's not catching a ton of passes.
 

AB in DC

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From today's press conference call

DA: I have spoken to both Coach [Bill] Belichick and Coach [Josh] McDaniels and it’s just been portraying their vision, their culture; their philosophies on what this team is about. It’s really just been refreshing to hear that they’re all about working hard and all about winning.
Hard not to read between the lines on that one.
 
Apr 7, 2006
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Watched an interview with Allen on Patriots Daily app - presumably on patriots.com, as well - and he comes across as impressively thoughtful, mature and articulate. Think he could be a solid locker room guy. Hope he can stay healthy.
 
WEEI.com has a short piece on Dwayne Allen's adjustment to NE. I love how candid he is about the difficult transition.


"I had to lean on some divine help the first couple of weeks of camp," Allen said on Wednesday. "Just how difficult it was adjusting and really understanding how to come together as a team and be a part of a team and figure out where you fall in line in that team, but it's been going great. I love it here and I enjoy being with my teammates and that's what it's all about."

Added Allen: "It's exciting to come to work, but it's been really hard. Like I'm not going to sugarcoat it, it is hard. But also stimulating and very exciting. It's one of those things where you pray for something for so long and then it comes to you, you can't cry because it's hard. You just have to accept it and be thankful that your prayers were answered."



So we have two former Colts (Reggie Wayne) who talk about how difficult the camp is in New England compared to that in Indy. Tells you a little something about the difference in culture. One coach implements a "No excuses/No days off" approach. The other coach hands out "GRIT" poker chips.
 

Ale Xander

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It's said that he's actually been a bigger bust than Scott Chandler, pass-catching wise.

But Red is right, he's a decent blocker and it's early.
 

tims4wins

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He's doing his job blocking. It hasn't worked in the passing game yet but give it time.
I agree that he is doing decently run blocking. 17 snaps yesterday was not a great omen. He admitted how hard the transition has been. Brady does not seem to have much confidence in him. I guess he will stick around as insurance and because of the blocking but I was hoping for at least a bit more in the passing game. Zero catches.
 

Stitch01

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Is he blocking well? I asked in another thread if anyone had broken down his tape or seen anything evaluating his blocking as his reviews in Indy were mixed. Snap count was way down yesterday, but obviously could be game plan/personnel dependent. Pats have sucked at converting in short yardage, although I personally dont remember seeing Allen missing key blocks or not getting push.

90 snaps, 36 routes run, 4 targets, 0 catches is a pretty gross passing game line. Obviously early, but no way to look at that besides being a bust in the passing game.

Good news is, given his contract, if he doesnt work out they can just move on very easily.
 

tims4wins

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I notice him in a positive way in the run game for the most part. Develin only played 15 snaps yesterday too so I think it was more of a game plan decision to not run with heavy sets against that front 7. It's not like the score dictated a pass happy attack. They wanted the WRs in space and for Brady to throw the ball down the field
 

CantKeepmedown

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Matt Chatham had a tweet a couple weeks ago about Allen and just because he isn't catching passes doesn't mean he is struggling.


I love fantasy football. But the idea that Patriots TE Dwayne Allen is somehow struggling in NE cuz he isn't catching passes is a warped, fake football POV.
 

bakahump

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Man has a offseason ever looked so bad (after 3 games)?
Butler-looking like we should have sold high
Gilmore- Looking just ok
Hightower (resigned)- Been hurt for 2.5 of the games so far.
Ealy- Yeah...
The Eponymous Dwayne Allen- I guess his blocking has been ok. But his Pass catching has been downright bad. Bad drop yesterday early on.
Burkhead- Hopefully just a bump in the road and he comes back healthy this or next week.
Gillislee-45 per on 3.2 per attempt.
Branch (Resigned)- And getting less snaps by a significant margin then a UDFA.
Harmon (Resigned)- Part of a defense that has looked bad. But Pick yesterday (Right?) to seal the game.
Guy- Has looked bad to me so far. Hopefully a learning curve thing.
Rivers- Hurt
Wise- Might actually be a player

I agreed with ALL these moves at the time. (or at least drank the coolaid about them after a tad of reflection).
 

bakahump

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Sorry, Are you being snarky?

Or do you truly think that the Cook and White signings outweigh the others on the list?

To be honest I had planned on putting Cooks at the end as the lone bright spot (which up to yesterday was not a bright spot) and Spaced.
White I totally forgot about. (though you could argue and I would agree that he is being underused)
As you mention Dola was an important (and has become even more so) "keep" now that JE is done.

Not sure why the snark. The list of offseason moves looks really bad right now. I admit its 3 games. And I am certainly not rooting for it to continue to win "posting on the Interweb". I just thought it was curious that so many of the moves are looking flat out bad right now. Especially when many of us thought they were really good moves.
 

Stitch01

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I dont think that list of moves looks all that bad in the aggregate. The big problem so far is the front seven which looks like a combination of moves that arent working to various degrees (Harris, Ealy, Branch) injuries/attrition (Hightower, Rivers, Nink, Mclellan), and maybe acts of omission (deciding to roll out the same interior OL, not putting more resources into the front 7) In a vacuum, going player by player, guys like Burkhead, Gillislee, Guy, Harmon, Gilmore, Butler...not really what Id put down as problems/moves that look bad.
 

timelysarcasm

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Including Rivers also doesn't make any sense. You can't really call a season-ending injury a bust move unless Belichick ignored his crystal ball.

Disagree on Gillislee, Harmon, Guy - but really doing a reflection on the offseason after 3 games is a bit pointless in my opinion. The defense has been very suspect, but with the personnel they have and the talent they theoretically have (pass rush looks promising to me), it's hard to imagine them ending up #32 by the end of the season. The ceiling is the real question, and will determine how far this team actually goes.
 

Soxy

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Matt Chatham had a tweet a couple weeks ago about Allen and just because he isn't catching passes doesn't mean he is struggling.


I love fantasy football. But the idea that Patriots TE Dwayne Allen is somehow struggling in NE cuz he isn't catching passes is a warped, fake football POV.
Bedard had posted a similar thought on Allen after the Saints game. It's behind a paywall so I won't post it (you should all sign up for a BSJ membership) but he then turned around and put Allen in the "Down" category after yesterday's game. Basically said that his blocking is fine but he has yet to catch a pass from Brady and had another bad drop.

It's still way too early to make any definitive judgments but I'm a little concerned about Allen. Brady is going to stop looking his way until Allen earns his trust. Which is only going to make it harder to put him out on the field as teams will simply stop paying attention to him in coverage.

At some point, Allen has to show that he can catch the damn ball or he's only going to be useful in goalline packages and obvious running situations. Which is nice and all but not really what you're looking for out of Allen.
 

MuppetAsteriskTalk

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Someone pointed out in the game thread that Allen missed a block on that key play where Lewis came up 1 yard short of the 1st down. But I guess anyone can miss a block here and there. (And I didn't notice the missed block myself.) Otherwise all I've really noticed is him dropping passes or appearing to run something different than Brady expected.
 

soxfan121

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At some point, Allen has to show that he can catch the damn ball or he's only going to be useful in goalline packages and obvious running situations. Which is nice and all but not really what you're looking for out of Allen.
Given a healthy (ok, for 2 3/4 of the 3 games) Gronkowski, I don't know what people were looking for our of Allen. As a second string TE primarily tasked with blocking, he's been average or maybe slightly below average. It would be nice if he made some plays in the passing game or caught the ball when it was sent his way but I don't think 90 snaps / 36 routes / 4 targets is a particularly bad line for the 7th or 8th option.

I agree that he's not in Brady's circle of trust and that's usually a very bad place to be for a pass catcher, but if Hollister can grab the 2nd pass catching TE role and relegate Allen to the Alge Crumpler Blocking TE role, that would mean Gronk is healthy and ... who gives a shit if Allen is just an average player who mostly blocks?

When Gronk gets hurt, Allen is either going to be ready and will step up with a few catches or he'll deserve all the shit in the universe.
 

Stitch01

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Well there's also the zero catches part. I expected more than zero catches a game. But even aside from that, I still dont really agree this is what the Pats expected out of Allen. The Pats weren't exactly rolling in pass catchers by the end of the Saints game and he still didnt get involved. I dont really have an opinion on what Allen is doing as a blocking TE, but I think its fair to conclude that so far (and its early) Allen has been disappointing as a pass catching option. I dont think the Pats were looking to pay $5MM in cap space for Matt Lengel.
 

Soxy

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Given a healthy (ok, for 2 3/4 of the 3 games) Gronkowski, I don't know what people were looking for our of Allen. As a second string TE primarily tasked with blocking, he's been average or maybe slightly below average. It would be nice if he made some plays in the passing game or caught the ball when it was sent his way but I don't think 90 snaps / 36 routes / 4 targets is a particularly bad line for the 7th or 8th option.

I agree that he's not in Brady's circle of trust and that's usually a very bad place to be for a pass catcher, but if Hollister can grab the 2nd pass catching TE role and relegate Allen to the Alge Crumpler Blocking TE role, that would mean Gronk is healthy and ... who gives a shit if Allen is just an average player who mostly blocks?

When Gronk gets hurt, Allen is either going to be ready and will step up with a few catches or he'll deserve all the shit in the universe.
Well there's also the zero catches part. I expected more than zero catches a game. But even aside from that, I still dont really agree this is what the Pats expected out of Allen. The Pats weren't exactly rolling in pass catchers by the end of the Saints game and he still didnt get involved. I dont really have an opinion on what Allen is doing as a blocking TE, but I think its fair to conclude that so far (and its early) Allen has been disappointing as a pass catching option. I dont think the Pats were looking to pay $5MM in cap space for Matt Lengel.
Yeah, I'm with Stitch on this one. Specifically his last sentence.

Maybe I'm way off, but I think the Pats were expecting Allen to be a bit like a poor man's Gronk. Can block well, make some plays in the passing game, and with enough flexibility between those two roles to provide some matchup problems to a defense.

The problem with Allen as blocker and Hollister as pass catcher is that it makes the offense more predictable. It's one of the things that national fans/media underappreciate about Gronk. Yeah, he's a spectacularly great pass catching option and a matchup nightmare in that regard. But it's his blocking skill that ensures he rarely leaves the field. Which means that the defense always has to account for him as a pass catching threat, even in obvious running situations and jumbo sets.

I'm not saying Allen (or anyone) is even close to that sort of Gronk-level player, but I think they were hoping he would provide some value in both domains. If he only can do one of the two things (blocking, catching) then his value as a TE is diminished.

If all the Pats wanted is a blocking TE with stone hands, they didn't need to trade two rounds of draft value and give up $5 mil in cap space to get it. That doesn't make Allen a disaster or anything but he's definitely been a disappointment.