I thought I read Amendola...

Leads the team in third down conversions. Can't find it and it could be out of date, since he wasn't needed against Mia, but...

That's just huge. With Gronk, Edelman and lewis needing to be accounted for, your fourth option getting those crucial conversions and in spectacular fashion? The athletic, tough catches...it's got to demoralize a defense. No wonder Chandler and the rest can't get a foothold [though LaFell will, you can tell].

All praise Amendola!

When the fourth or fifth option is that clutch, the defense needs to spin a fishing net or go home.

He has essentially become the superstar they originally coveted. His first game here foreshadowed that clearly.

However I think they have figured out how to use him. If you make him the primary WR he can catch the 100 balls and get the 1200 yards probably (in this offense). But there is no reason to subject him to that when JE has been great and DA does seem to get injured (or could) when you subject him to the constant pounding.

By using him as a secret weapon, you effectively limit his snaps, allow him more time and energy for special teams and insure mismatches with the opposing defense who are really not sure how to plan for him. But as stated with Gronk, JE and Lewis commanding attention that leaves him with a possible mismatch. He will probably get less snaps too with Lefell back.

He is however a big reason why this 15 team is deeper than the 07 team.

You aren't crazy, I saw that stat too. Who knows if it still holds now with a few more games under our belt however.

Bruins29 said:

He has essentially become the superstar they originally coveted.

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I think you might be stretching that a little. He'll wind us catching 45-50 balls which is great for a WR3- not a superstar.

Bruins29 said:

His first game here foreshadowed that clearly.

However I think they have figured out how to use him. If you make him the primary WR he can catch the 100 balls and get the 1200 yards probably (in this offense). But there is no reason to subject him to that when JE has been great and DA does seem to get injured (or could) when you subject him to the constant pounding.

By using him as a secret weapon, you effectively limit his snaps, allow him more time and energy for special teams and insure mismatches with the opposing defense who are really not sure how to plan of him. But as stated with Gronk, JE and Lewis commanding attention that leaves him with a possible mismatch. He will probably get less snaps too with Lefell back.

He is however a big reason why this 15 team is deeper than the 07 team.

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With LaFell back, his snaps will go down substantially.

Hes a solid role player and very good special teamer. Nothing more.

robertweathers said:

I think you might be stretching that a little. He'll wind us catching 45-50 balls which is great for a WR3- not a superstar.



With LaFell back, his snaps will go down substantially.

Hes a solid role player and very good special teamer. Nothing more.

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Hes the best #3 reciever in the league.

robertweathers said:

I think you might be stretching that a little. He'll wind us catching 45-50 balls which is great for a WR3- not a superstar.



With LaFell back, his snaps will go down substantially.

Hes a solid role player and very good special teamer. Nothing more.

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Personally don't care about "super" anything. Having said that, the thread is about having your 4th option [maybe fifth] being a 3rd down conversion machine.

So much more important, IMO, than having some #1 receiver putting up all pro stats, then being shut down due to defensive attention, come the playoffs, and the whole offense shut down as a result.\

Couldn't care less how many catches, or other stats, if he's converting third downs when our top options are covered.

robertweathers said:

I think you might be stretching that a little. He'll wind us catching 45-50 balls which is great for a WR3- not a superstar.
With LaFell back, his snaps will go down substantially.

Hes a solid role player and very good special teamer. Nothing more.

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I disagree and the posters above get it. If given the targets he would put up numbers reflective of what he was going to earn (assuming he stayed healthy). Even Brady 6 admitted that not long ago.

You are looking at his number which have nothing to do with it. They are not going to work him like a horse because the offense dosent function like that and he would probably get hurt. He is who they wanted originally they just chose not to use him like a WW and can feel better about it since they are paying him a much smaller salary.

Se7eN said:

You aren't crazy, I saw that stat too. Who knows if it still holds now with a few more games under our belt however.

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Wasn't needed in Mia, so maybe not. But, if he wasn't needed, what difference does it make? When needed he's delivered and in spectacular fashion.

chasa said:

Hes the best #3 reciever in the league.

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Hmmmm..

Colston is the 3rd option now. Michael Floyd in AZ is also in that category.

DA does STs so I'd say he is most well-rounded WR3 in the league.

chasa said:

Hes the best #3 reciever in the league.

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I Was thinking about that. DA could easily be a #2 WR on any team or featured slot receiver. A guy would would get 150 targets and 100 catches. Not saying he would be healthy but lets say he stays healthy.

Yes, having a guy like that and having him be in a position to stay fresh and be able to come in - almost as a change of pace makes him dangerous and we are now seeing the results of that. Pats have no issue with it as well - paying him 1.2 mil.

Given that I would say he is probably up there as best #3. Certainly one of the best values in the league (non rookie contract) when you take into consideration his talent, attitude, clutch play, and great special team play.

robertweathers said:

Hmmmm..

Colston is the 3rd option now. Michael Floyd in AZ is also in that category.

DA does STs so I'd say he is most well-rounded WR3 in the league.

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Colston is paid similar too but I believe he has a bit dead cap hit. Floyd, is making reasonable money with a decent cap number but is due a 7.3 million salary next year.

The pats have a cap issue with DA as well.

Given all of that, plus as you said DA Special Team value he is easily the best value in the league and certainly in the running for best #3 in the league when you look at versatility and the fact that is has been difficult to find WRs that have rhythm with TB

Think about this. In 2013 bb let welker walk, and signed Jules and dola. Now these 2 are more clutch and just as good as welker. Bb let what we believed was the best slot wr of all time go and upgraded the position with 2 better players IMO.

Bruins29 said:

I disagree and the posters above get it. If given the targets he would put up numbers reflective of what he was going to earn (assuming he stayed healthy). Even Brady 6 admitted that not long ago.

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Thats the issue and you implied it in your earlier post and below. He has not proven to be durable and more durable players play more snaps. Add to that JE and JoJo as better players as the other reasons why he is the 3rd WR on the team.

Bruins29 said:

You are looking at his number which have nothing to do with it. They are not going to work him like a horse because the offense dosent function like that and he would probably get hurt. He is who they wanted originally they just chose not to use him like a WW and can feel better about it since they are paying him a much smaller salary.

Click to expand...

Numbers are numbers. They dont tell the whole story but are the best representation for overall production. I would differ in saying that DA did not turn out to be what they wanted. As you said they wanted a 100 catch/1300yd guy to replace WW. Sadly, it just didn't work out that way.

Take a step back for a second. I agree that they are using him properly and maximizing his production on the team. WR3, 1st downs, kicking game, etc. Hes doing a bang-up job and we are all glad he is here on the team. For a WR3 they are paying him a good chunk of change. Because of his versatility, he deserves it.

My thoughts with your post are that you are arguing that he is a superstar without superstar production and that he would have x stats if they threw to him the same as a WR1. The reality is that for a couple of reasons (health and better players in front of him) is that he isn't and can't be that. Hes also been in the league for several seasons, is pushing 30 and has never really approached that level of play.

That is why I feel that you are overrating him.

No one on the team is more clutch.

I've been a big fan since the signing and that has never wavered.

Yes, that does make me a hero.

RayClay said:

Personally don't care about "super" anything. Having said that, the thread is about having your 4th option [maybe fifth] being a 3rd down conversion machine.

So much more important, IMO, than having some #1 receiver putting up all pro stats, then being shut down due to defensive attention, come the playoffs, and the whole offense shut down as a result.\

Couldn't care less how many catches, or other stats, if he's converting third downs when our top options are covered.

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I guess I've lost track of the discussion. In this offense there are plenty of rock stars. The need is for players who have roles and help convert 3rd downs. DA is certainly an important player in this offense in accomplishing that.

I guess I was trying to say that he is "talent wise" showing he was probably worth the orig contract expect unfortunately he got hurt and they have decided that its not worth using him that way.

So call him what you want, not one person is overrating him here because he his outperforming the money the pats are paying him.

Archeryaddict12 said:

Think about this. In 2013 bb let welker walk, and signed Jules and dola. Now these 2 are more clutch and just as good as welker. Bb let what we believed was the best slot wr of all time go and upgraded the position with 2 better players IMO.

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DA is not better than Welker

WW has had a better,more productive career than JE but player vs player it's real close. I've argued for WW for 3 years now and I'm not sure anymore.

3rd down for first First downs receiving:

Edelman 7
Gronk 5
Amendola 7
Lewis 3

the thing is that the pats are converting 1st and 2nd downs into 1st downs at a >50% clip

I wanna see lafell get back into this offense more with tommy.

This is what I think you must have seen:

Football | NFL | Leaders - 1st Down Catches, 3rd Down - washingtonpost.com

Jules has caught up but still, pretty good production from our #3 guy.

It's also rare for a #3 WR to be capable of taking over for one of the top 2 guys without much loss of production. Think about Dallas when Dez went down, and nobody really emerged. Or Steve Smith Sr. on the Ravens. Dola isn't as good as Jules, but could fill in that spot adequately, and he did well with all his extra reps without LaFell around.

Our WR options lack what many consider the prototypical tall #1-type WR like a Julio Jones or AJ Green or Calvin Johnson, but there's a lot of quality depth when your #3 could easily fill in for your #2 or #1. Dola just lacks as many opportunities, though he's taking advantage of the ones he gets.