TE Allen’s physical presence stands out

Effectiveness in 1st full practice shows why he was signed

DAVIE — Dwayne Allen stepped to the line of scrimmage, put his hand in the dirt to settle in next to the right tackle, and when the ball was snapped, the Miami Dolphins tight end drove Charles Harris far out of the play.

It was the first 11-on-11 action the seven-year veteran had gotten all training camp because of a knee injury he’s been nursing since last season, and Allen’s effectiveness at the line of scrimmage all day justified why he was one of Miami’s biggest offseason signings.

Allen’s physical presence was so noticeable it led to a mild skirmish between him and Harris, who have history together from their battles against one another last season.

“He brings leadership, he brings energy, he brings effort,” coach Brian Flores said about Allen, whom he spent the past two seasons with in New England.

“He’s going to have to go out there and block and be productive when he gets out there,” Flores continued. “I think he’s a good receiving tight end. That’s something that we’ll try to take advantage of if we can, but Dwayne.”

Tight end was one of Miami’s must troublesome positions last year because Mike Gesicki, a Dolphins 2019 secondround pick, lacks the physicality needed to play every role the position requires, and none of the other tight ends stepped to the forefront.

Nick O’Leary started seven of the 12 games he played in last season after being claimed off waivers, but made little impact. And Durham Smythe, the Dolphins’ 2018 fourthround pick, struggled to create separation in the passing game.

Miami added Allen, and signed former Hurricanes standout Clive Walford this offseason, hoping the veterans could enhance the position. But the unit got off to a rough start in training camp for various reasons, and that was with and without pads.

One of the issues was Allen’s lingering injury, which led to his absence from practice. But Tuesday’s session hints he’s on the road to recovery.

“When you play into the postseason the way I did the last two years, injuries pile on. You just find a way to keep going in hopes of winning it all. (I) was fortunate enough to do that,” said Allen, who likely won’t participate in Thursday night’s preseason that’s up to game against the Atlanta Falcons. “(I’m) in a different situation (and I’ve) got to get healthy.”

Allen, a former Clemson standout who was a third-round pick of the Colts in 2012, spent the past two seasons with the Patriots after a five-year stint with Indianapolis. He has started 72 games during his seven NFL seasons.

Allen caught 139 passes for 1,564 yards and 20 touchdowns during his career, but most of that productivity came in the five seasons he spent with the Colts.

He caught just 13 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown in 29 regularseason games for the Patriots, who primarily used him as a blocker playing behind oft-injured star tight end Rob Gronkowski, who retired this offseason.

While Allen prides himself on being able to fill every role the tight end position requires, he’s excited about earning a chance to become a passcatching threat again.

“I don’t feel like I need to prove anything. The coaching staff signed me to come on here to play the tight end position. Whatever plays they call, I’ll execute them to the best of my ability,” Allen said. “If it’s more passing plays than I’ve had in the past two years, I’ll be happy about it.”