Who Starts?

[Playoffs2013]

Fleener:

6'6

244

Positives:

• Surprising speed
  
• Quick release off the line
  
• Reliable hands
  
• Smart
  
• Athletic
  
• Big target
  
• Excellent height for reaching high passes
  
• Good blocking technique
  
• Experienced starter
  

Negatives:

• Not the best blocker
  

Too lean

Allen:

Positives:

Superb receiving tight end

• Great red-zone weapon
  
• Excellent body control to make acrobatic catches
  
• Leaping ability
  
• Reliable hands
  
• Athletic
  
• Quick release off of line
  
• Good route-runner
  
• Too quick for linebackers in pass routes
  
• Too big for defensive backs in pass routes
  
• Big target
  
• Quality college blocker
  
• Gives good effort in blocking
  
• Nice size and strength to block at line of scrimmage
  
• Work ethic
  
• Well-rounded
  
• Durable
  
• Experienced starter
  
• Negatives:
  
• Will need to continue to improve blocking in the NFL
  
• Receiving ability is further along than blocking ability
  
• Lacks elite speed
  

I personally still think fleener starts

[atapcl]

How about both start in a 2 TE offense. On Fleener you forgot he has a 37 inch vertical which comes in handy in the red zone. Expect both Fleener and Allen to pick up the offense fast. Fleener can spread out and play a tall WR as well as work the slot and block inline. Allen can play the FB role and work as an inline blocker. Allen went in motion a lot at Clemson. Expect both to start. The Colts will run a lot of formations that require two TEs as well as some 3 or 4 WR sets. They will probably run 3 TE sets.

[lollygagger8]

Ya, the answer is both. Mismatch heaven for Arians, but Luck will have to get the ball out quickly, which I think he can.

[SilentHill]

2x TE Offense, Both Starting.

[Playoffs2013]

Right but hail mary only one tight end

who is it

[KarlKuffs]

Neither will start.

Andre Smith & Kyle Miller will be our starting tight ends this season.

[SilentHill]

Right but hail mary only one tight end

who is it

Fleener

[Mameluc]

obivously on 2 TE packages they will both start, i think. but what about on 3 WR 1 TE set. who would start?

[vinatierifan4]

IF we don't go two tight end set. Then id say Fleener. IF the colts thought that allen was better than fleener, then they would have taken allen with the second round pick instead of fleener.

[Smonroe]

obivously on 2 TE packages they will both start, i think. but what about on 3 WR 1 TE set. who would start?

The better blocker, which may not be either. We don't want to get luck killed.

[ztboiler]

obivously on 2 TE packages they will both start, i think. but what about on 3 WR 1 TE set. who would start?

I'd guess they are 1 and the same. Our 2 TE package puts both in line, while our base 3 WR 1 TE set leaves Allen in line and splits Fleener out. There will be variations but that personnel group puts our 4 best weapons on the field in either formation and is the hardest to defend without substitutions.

[Vinny BoomBatz]

I have hopes that Fleener's speed and athleticism will allow him to line up as a WideOut in some sets.

Allen is intriuging as he just started playing football in college (sound familiar?) being a basketball player in High School so he may have a higher ceiling than Fleener? Though at season's start and in a 1 TE Offense Fleener should be the starter, imo.

[mvbighead]

I don't think anyone can question that it is Fleener. I suppose Allen could beat him out in camp, but I don't see it. Most of Allen's long list of positives side with Fleener, just not the blocking aspect as much. Given that TEs in a 3 WR set don't necessarily stick around and block for the entire play, and generally chip and run, I'd see Fleener as the guy being the best check down for Luck.

And, given how rookies tend to not hold up their first season, I suspect we'll see a good amount of both.

[JoKeR]

Fleener is the #1 TE in 1 TE sets.

[Scott Pennock]

They both start.........seriously, this will look like the 1998-2005 Colts with Dilger/Pollard and the Pollard/Clark.......

Wayne and Collie probably 'start' on the outside but you will see A LOT of different personnel packages with Avery/Hilton/Brazill rotated in from time to time to create different types of mismatches and overloads to one side or the other.

I am pretty sure we will see more different groupings and formations this year than in ALL the Manning years combined! A true fullback, double tight end, four wideouts, you name it I am sure we will see it.................and it will be fun to watch!

[betheafan41]

from my understanding about fleener is he can also line up in the slot, he has the speed and he is tall he could transition to a slot WR when they want to run a 3 WR set.

[GoColts8818]

I think the fact Fleener was a higher pick (which means in theory he should have more talent) and the fact he was Luck's go to guy in college gives him the inside track to being the number one tightend. With that said I am sure we are going to see a lot of both guys.

[funktacious2]

Fleener is reallly fast and tall, he's a winner and productive. I think he'll start and be a matchup nightmare all season... save injury ;_;

[ztboiler]

Fleener and Allen don't really even play the same position....other than both being listed as TE on paper. The way each will be used is very different.

[dacoats]

bench em both

[oldunclemark]

Ya, the answer is both. Mismatch heaven for Arians, but Luck will have to get the ball out quickly, which I think he can.

Right on....with the two TEs..

Fleener is split wide...

and Allen is in a conventinal TE position (or lined up in front of Donald Brown in the backfield occasionally where he can flare out to either side)... with Wayne out wide and Collie in the slot .

Okay Rex Ryan!! Cover that!!!

[coltsfanatic24]

fleener will start but we will use 2 te sets a lot of the time.

[OZOC01]

I agree with most on here...two tightend set.

Tightend(s) = rookie QB's best friend(s).