Dwayne Allen on talk of being overpaid: "It's my job to prove that I'm underpaid"

Last night, the Indianapolis Colts re-signed tight end Dwayne Allen to a four-year contract that is reportedly worth $29.7 million.  That's big money for a tight end who caught just 16 passes last year and has dealt with injury issues, and it has led many to say that Allen was overpaid.

The tight end has heard that opinion, but he's keeping the right attitude and not letting it get to him.  Instead, he's out to prove that his contract actually turns out to be a bargain for Indianapolis.

"To outsiders, they obviously think I'm overpaid," Allen told Pro Football Talk on Tuesday morning, according to Colts.com.  "It's my job to prove that I'm underpaid."

That's the right attitude to have, as it's very hard to tell right now whether or not Allen's contract is overpaying him or not.  That will be determined by his play on the field, and the Colts obviously think highly enough of Allen to think he can turn into a top-tier, complete tight end and stay healthy.  Allen talked about what he can bring to the team as well.

"The skill set that I was able to offer an offense is rare," Allen said.  "It's becoming even more rare as you look at the tight ends that are leaving college.  The ability to both block and receive and basically never leave the field in all situations (is rare).  Of course, last year I was used situationally, but hopefully that's going to change."

The Colts are going to need to utilize Allen's strengths better this year, but the tight end truly is being paid because of the many ways he can help an offense - both as a receiver and as a blocker.  He can do whatever the Colts need him to do, and that type of tight end isn't as common anymore.  The Colts could have opted to re-sign Coby Fleener, who is a better receiver, but instead they choose to bring back Allen because of all he can offer.  If the Colts utilize those skills and if Allen stays healthy, he should be a major factor in the offense moving forward.  And, as that happens, Allen hopes that he proves the doubters wrong and shows that his contract was actually a bargain for the Colts.  It's perfectly fair to have serious doubts about whether that will happen, but Allen has the right attitude.