Brady breaking in Amendola, spent one-on-one time wth him yesterday

[Ian]

Interesting note from Reiss this morning:

1. Early signs of Brady-Amendola synergy. This came through as clearly as it could in an organized team activity setting. At one point, Tom Brady worked with Danny Amendola on the quick pass that was often a staple with the QB and Wes Welker, while most of the entire team was on the other field for special-teams work. That play requires a certain element of timing and being on the same page and it was something that Brady and Welker did particularly well, giving Welker the chance to create yardage after the catch in the form of a glorified running play. Brady and Amendola spent time Tuesday attempting to build a similar rapport. Overall, Amendola seemed to take a leading presence among the receiving corps, as he was often the first receiver in drills.

Insider's view of organized team activity - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Some other good stuff in there pertaining to Ballard, etc. as well.

 

[Username]

I'm glad to seem them making an effort to gel, but I hope it's not at the expense of the other new WR's, they all need significant time and attention from Tom Brady. I can understand that he's lost his security blanket in Welker but I don't think it helps anyone if he tries to make Amendola become Wes Welker MkII. He's got a clean slate and a whole set of new toys to play with, so hopefully he'll spread the love around.

 

[Galeb]

Interesting note from Reiss this morning:



Insider's view of organized team activity - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Some other good stuff in there pertaining to Ballard, etc. as well.

The news about DA flying out to CA to work with Brady combined with Reiss' comments are very encouraging signs. He has the work ethic and athleticism to be successful with Brady. Question is, does he have the mental toughness and durability.

The linked article provided very little insight, but the pic of Brady's throwing motion is interesting, especially in light of his new mentor. Yes, it is just one still, but his mechanics do seem to have changed significantly. His tilt toward his off-hand seems very pronounced and the arm looks more like a whip-like, pitcher's motion. His fore-arm and wrist also appear quite larger, so the wrist and fingers likely take a much larger role in his mechanics. Can't wait to see some video that also captures his footwork. Not only will these new mechanics probably add velocity and accuracy, they may help extend his career.

Brady is unique and we are blessed to have him. I wouldn't be shocked if he played till older than Favre.

 

[Ian]

More from the Herald's Guregian this morning on him:

For the first practice anyway, the duo didn’t look out of sync or out of sorts. They looked pretty good. There weren’t any miscues involving Amendola running to the wrong place or making a bad cut, or Brady mistiming his throws.

Although I'd like it if people would stop calling him, "a slightly bigger and more injury-prone version of Welker." Enough already - we've heard it enough

 

[Brady2Moss]

Probably shouldn't use the words breaking and Amendola in the same sentence if we don't have to.

 

[VJCPatriot]

More from the Herald's Guregian this morning on him:



Although I'd like it if people would stop calling him, "a slightly bigger and more injury-prone version of Welker." Enough already - we've heard it enough

LOL, the comparisons are unlikely to end any time soon because of the man he replaced and the way it happened.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

More from the Herald's Guregian this morning on him:



Although I'd like it if people would stop calling him, "a slightly bigger and more injury-prone version of Welker." Enough already - we've heard it enough

Who was the person who used "breaking" and Amendola in the title then?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

LOL, the comparisons are unlikely to end any time soon because of the man he replaced and the way it happened.

And, of course, the fact that Amendola did the exact same thing at Texas Tech. . . .

 

[Joker]

appreciate all the links you've been putting up the past few days, Ian....

 

[Sicilian]

appreciate all the links you've been putting up the past few days, Ian....

Second. It's been great to read and discuss on field news for a change

 

[Ian]

Second. It's been great to read and discuss on field news for a change

Thanks, although the fact things are finally starting a little football-wise certainly makes that a little easier

 

[Bruins29]

I still dont get the "injury prone" stigma. WW had a major injury on a play where nobody even touched him. He missed the most important part of the season but because of the timing of the injury it did not register as "games missed" in reg season stat sheets.

If WW got injured at the beginning of the season would this keep coming up?

 

[supafly]

I'm glad to seem them making an effort to gel, but I hope it's not at the expense of the other new WR's, they all need significant time and attention from Tom Brady. I can understand that he's lost his security blanket in Welker but I don't think it helps anyone if he tries to make Amendola become Wes Welker MkII. He's got a clean slate and a whole set of new toys to play with, so hopefully he'll spread the love around.

I'm sure the 'love' will get spread around, but our offensive attack is still primarily going to be the quick pass timing throws, and the only way to guarantee that both Amendola/Brady are seeing the same things + being in the same place is practice..practice..and more practice.

The "glorified running plays" from the quick timing passes are what allows Brady to get rid of the ball at the quickest pace of all NFL QB's last season. It's also what allows us to have success on the offensive line in some form too. Both of those aspects allow Brady's career to be prolonged, clock to be eaten up, and mismatches to be taken advantage of in terms of increasing your chances to not be able to defend those kinds of quick pass/timing plays.

It's extremely important that Amendola and Brady get on the same page and practice a ton.

 

[AzorianPats]

I still dont get the "injury prone" stigma. WW had a major injury on a play where nobody even touched him. He missed the most important part of the season but because of the timing of the injury it did not register as "games missed" in reg season stat sheets.

If WW got injured at the beginning of the season would this keep coming up?

I like Amendola and I think he's gonna be a great pick up for us, but the injury prone label is valid. He's missed significant time the past 2 years. The media and fan base as right to put that label on him, esp since the player he's replacing was extremely durable. I loved the pickup when it happened. I have a buddy who's a die hard Rams fan, and has been saying for awhile Amendola a beast and he'd be perfect for the Pats, but even he says he gets hurt too much.

 

[jmt57]

Hernandez impressed with Amendola | Mike Reiss, espnBoston

“I think Danny is going to do a great job. He looks good so far this year,” Hernandez told host Zig Fracassi. “I think he’ll fill the role pretty well.”

Hernandez’s viewpoint seemed to reflect what reporters saw last Tuesday at the Patriots’ organized team activity, as Amendola often was the first receiver through drills and looked as quick as advertised.

While there is a long way to go between now and the start of the season, Amendola has seemed to make a favorable impression on teammates such as Hernandez.​

A few other comments not specific to Amendola from the interview:

- On potentially being without Rob Gronkowski.
“It definitely would be a big change because he’s a huge part of our offense, but everyone would have to step up and keep the train moving.”

- On team goals for 2013.
“Obviously we always have the goal which is the big dance, the Super Bowl, but we just have to take it day by day and correct errors from last year and the reason we came up short, and work hard every day, get together as a team, and figure out what we have to do to compete to be at the Super Bowl. … All I know is we came up short [in 2012] and it’s very painful when you work all season and all camp and all offseason for one game. It gives us even more of a drive this year to go get it.”

- Playing close to home.
“I always watched the Patriots growing up. I was a big fan of them going back to Drew Bledsoe and Curtis Martin. It’s good to be close to home and play in front of my family.”​

 

[jmt57]

Danny Amendola pokes fun at himself in new commercial

It Is What It Is » Danny Amendola pokes some fun at himself in new commercial

 

[DarrylS]

Would seem to be in DA's best interest to show how involved he wants to be... there are many amongst us who do not see the value in what has transpired in this off season.

Extra effort and positive press is soothing to the "disgruntled" masses....

 

[strngplyr]

Would seem to be in DA's best interest to show how involved he wants to be... there are many amongst us who do not see the value in what has transpired in this off season.

Extra effort and positive press is soothing to the "disgruntled" masses....

I don't think the front office really care about how disgruntled the masses are. They never having, pleasing the media doesn't win games.