Dwayne Allen credits rookie success to Chuck Pagano

Dwayne Allen has said that his performance during his first year as a player in the NFL was down to his head coach.

The Indianapolis Colts player set a new franchise record for receptions by a rookie tight end during the 2012 season.

Allen told the Colts' website: "[Chuck Pagano] gave us shirts that listed us 32 out of 32 teams in the NFL. He said, 'That's where they predict you. Why can't we go to the playoffs? Why can't we win the division? Why not? Why not?' That's kind of the way [we played] all year.

"Coach talked about how the bar is set for this program. The team that he wants to coach, the team that he wants to have in Indianapolis, the bar is set high for us.

"Hopefully, I'll take advantage of this off-season and get in the best shape possible so when it's third-and-whatever and my team calls on me to make a big play, I'll be there."

Allen scored three touchdown and recorded 521 receiving yards during the 2012 regular season.