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New England Patriots: Chuck Pagano Praises Tight End Dwayne Allen

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Erik Swoope (86) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Dwayne Allen (83) during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Erik Swoope (86) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Dwayne Allen (83) during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots have themselves a great player in tight end Dwayne Allen according to a rival coach. 

The surprising part of the trade for former Indianapolis tight end Dwayne Allen was the fact that the New England Patriots engaged in the transaction from their rival.

The 27-year-old Allen, who spent five seasons in Indianapolis caught the attention of Patriots coach Bill Belichick long before the team acquired him.  His work ethic, versatility and ability to create matchup problems were cited as positives Allen will bring to the defending Super Bowl champions.

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Speaking to reporters at the NFL coaches breakfast on Tuesday, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano echoed Belichick in sharing his thoughts on the type of football player Dwayne Allen is.

"“I think we lost a great player in Dwayne,” Pagano said, via the Boston Herald.  “He’s been a staple in our offense for the last five years.  We came (to the Colts) together back in 2012.  You’re getting a really good football player.  You’re getting a great person.  You’re getting a guy that is going to be excellent in that locker room.  You’re getting a guy that will buy in, and he is going to do his job.”"

Pagano went on to say that the Colts hate to lose Allen, but the business of the NFL dictated the move.

Allen became expendable when the team signed tight end Jack Doyle to a new three-year contract.  While keeping both tight ends would’ve been ideal, the team had to part ways with Allen for financial reasons and that is where the Patriots stepped in.

After making a decision to move on from Martellus Bennett, the Patriots made the deal that now pairs Allen up with All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.  While Dwayne Allen is not at the level of Bennett, he does bring some of the same attributes and may actually be a better blocker.

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As Pagano stated, the New England Patriots are getting “an excellent football player” who is not as vocal as Bennett, but could end up being more valuable to the team.

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