 Amendola is off to a slow start in 2014. (USA TODAY Images) |
During week one of the regular season in 2013, Patriots fans were thought to have gotten a glimpse of what the future might hold for newcomer Danny Amendola after a huge performance to open the regular season.
In that game Amendola, who at the time was coming off of a groin injury during the preseason, finished with a 10 catch, 104 yard performance that helped the Patriots beat the Bills 23-21 to start the season. It was a gutsy performance for Amendola, who re-aggravated the injury during the game and it seemed to plague him for the remainder of the campaign. However, there seemed to be enough of a reason to believe that when he eventually got healthy he could be a valuable weapon in New England's offense.
 Danny Amendola hasn't been productive so far in 2014. (USA TODAY Images) |
Fastforward to 2014, where the veteran made it through training camp and took part in 71% of the snaps last week in Miami. However, so far he's been a non-factor in New England's offense, which has struggled through two contests and his ineffectiveness has certainly contributed. He finished with just 3 catches for 16 yards in week one and on Sunday in Minnesota finished without a reception on one target.
As the team continues trying to find an identity on the offensive side of the football, it will likely need to include a way to make Amendola more of a factor than he has been. He was brought in here to be a bigger part of the offense following the departure of Wes Welker, and his athleticism and quickness appeared to be two terrific attributes that could help this offense become more dangerous.
He's currently in the second season of a five-year deal that could be worth up to $31 million, including incentives. Most fans heard about his past injury problems but knew how explosive of a player he was when he was healthy.
Heading into this season it seemed that things were lining up for him to shake off what happened last year. Just last month he talked about the fact that with a full year under his belt, he was more comfortable in the offense.
"I feel comfortable," Amendola told the Boston Globe. "It's different. A year under your belt in a new system, in a new place, in a new organization, it's kind of like when a rookie comes in for the first time and tries to learn the offense. It might be difficult at times, but that second year that learning curve is much less. I feel very comfortable right now. I'm just trying to come out here and work."
So far, that comfort level hasn't translated production-wise onto the field. Now that he's healthy, the Patriots will certainly need more than Amendola's been able to give them through the opening two games of 2014. Tom Brady finished with just 149 yards passing with Julian Edelman (6 receptions, 81-yards) and Rob Gronknowski (4 receptions, 32 yards) as the team's leading receivers.
On Sunday against the Vikings, Amendola had one reception that was good for 26-yards, but it was called back on an offensive pass interference penalty on Aaron Dobson after he ran into his man and was called for running a pick play on his defender. The play happened back with 12:04 left in the second quarter. Amendola never touched the ball again.
Despite the victory, a visibly solemn Tom Brady took to the podium after the game, looking fairly upset as he spoke to reporters.
"I'm happy we won. I just wish we'd go out there and play like we're capable of," said Brady. "It's just the way it is. Just glad we won, it's a great team win, a lot of guys contributed, a lot of great plays were made, hopefully offensively we can do a better job next week."
He knows they're better than this offensively, and Amendola has to quietly be thinking he's also better than he's played thus far. Whether that translates onto the field next Sunday against the Raiders, and in the weeks to come, will certainly be something to keep an eye on.
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