I'll admit i was wrong - Amendola didn't work

[Brady6]

This is meaningless:

A) He Was injured

B) The development of his relationship with Brady was affected by the time he was out.


We'll have to come up with some sort of bet. I say he'll have more than 633 yards next season. you?

I actually agree that he will have more than 633 receiving yards next season. I view Amendola as a player who is capable of putting up 75-80 receptions, 800-900 receiving yards and 3-5 touchdowns. I do not think he will ever be a 110-120 reception, 1200-1400 receiving yards and 6-8 touchdown receiver like Welker was an many projected when he was signed. The reason is I view him as a Y-WR in the mold of a less explosive and fast Victor Cruz, his receptions take place 6-8+ yards down the field in the intermediate passing game and he is capable beating his defender 1on1 a handful of times in a season for a big play. Unlike Welker and now Edelman I do not think Amendola is capable of getting open or creating space in traffic or congested areas, he also is not able to get open as consistently as those 2 and struggles in certain match ups, and I do not think he is even in the same conversation running with the ball after the catch as those 2 players which is why I do not see him as a good fit on this team at the Z-WR where most receptions rely on quickly getting open on a consistent basis within 5 yards and then making yardage after the catch.

I will set my expectation at 72 receptions, 750 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns; if you want to throw some numbers out there we can wager a player jersey or something fun like that, or something else that will be fun, I appreciate the fun outlook you took Manx and respect it as well.

 

[Brady6]

We had a ragtag group of total misfits at the position this year, and that didn't come close to helping the situation.

I don't think it's much of a leap to expect a better year in 2014. He had a mediocre to poorer year. That said, 4.5 catches per game when he played while obviously injured isn't quite the travesty that some are attempting to make it out to be either.

The Amendola deal is likely to be a 2 year deal with year to year decisions, so if he doesn't have a good enough year in 2014 then we'll approach him with a restructuring offer. If they can't agree, then we can move on from Amendola in 2015 if Belichick sees fit.

Thankfully, most decisions by Belichick aren't made for the future based off of one year, or we'd have most posters here give Edelman 10 million a year and immediately cutting Amendola, based on 2013 alone. Much like the Mark Anderson situation, Belichick isn't going to base his decisions based off of one good or bad season.

As I have said many times (with the exception of yesterday which was unacceptable) Amendola played well over all this season and right on par with what he had done in his prior 4 season, he had his highest average YPC total of his career which is likely because he was playing with Brady who is very good at putting the ball in an area that allows the receiver to make plays after the catch. I think that will improve next season even more and eventually we will get the type of production we got out of Deion Branch back in 2010 and Aaron Hernandez in 2011 out of Amendola which was 70-80 receptions and 700-900 receiving yards while playing a Y-WR running intermediate routes 5-15 yards downfield (digs, slants, etc.).

The reason people view Amendola’s play as a travesty is because they were under the misconception that he was going to do what Welker (and now Edelman) did in the offense which to catch 100+ balls for 1000+ yards, but those routes aren’t really Amendola’s strengths he is not great at getting open within 5 yards, he has difficulty find/creating space in congested areas, his run after the catch ability is not that great and he is not consistent enough in his match ups to be a reliable option week-to-week, like Branch and Hernandez he will really excel in certain match ups and be a minimal factor in other match ups. Hindsight 20/20 we’re probably paying Amendola who seems like a good guy about the same as we were going to pay Hernandez to essentially be our Y-WR/Flex-TE, so at the end of the day it is not a horrible signing at all. My only complaint is those poster who cannot accept that Amendola is not Wes Welker and he actually never was even in the preseason against the Bucs he was making those receptions on in-slants 8+ yards down the field, Welker and Edelman run routes 5 yards or less downfield most plays (out, flat, curl, comeback and bubble slants, short cross) and then pick up yards after the catch. Amendola is a poor man Victor Cruz in terms of athletic ability who is actually a Y-WR who excels 1on1 against a CB but is not going to run into a crowd of defenders and find a free spot. That is my opinion anyway.

 

[supafly]

As I have said many times (with the exception of yesterday which was unacceptable) Amendola played well over all this season and right on par with what he had done in his prior 4 season, he had his highest average YPC total of his career which is likely because he was playing with Brady who is very good at putting the ball in an area that allows the receiver to make plays after the catch. I think that will improve next season even more and eventually we will get the type of production we got out of Deion Branch back in 2010 and Aaron Hernandez in 2011 out of Amendola which was 70-80 receptions and 700-900 receiving yards while playing a Y-WR running intermediate routes 5-15 yards downfield (digs, slants, etc.).

The reason people view Amendola’s play as a travesty is because they were under the misconception that he was going to do what Welker (and now Edelman) did in the offense which to catch 100+ balls for 1000+ yards, but those routes aren’t really Amendola’s strengths he is not great at getting open within 5 yards, he has difficulty find/creating space in congested areas, his run after the catch ability is not that great and he is not consistent enough in his match ups to be a reliable option week-to-week, like Branch and Hernandez he will really excel in certain match ups and be a minimal factor in other match ups. Hindsight 20/20 we’re probably paying Amendola who seems like a good guy about the same as we were going to pay Hernandez to essentially be our Y-WR/Flex-TE, so at the end of the day it is not a horrible signing at all. My only complaint is those poster who cannot accept that Amendola is not Wes Welker and he actually never was even in the preseason against the Bucs he was making those receptions on in-slants 8+ yards down the field, Welker and Edelman run routes 5 yards or less downfield most plays (out, flat, curl, comeback and bubble slants, short cross) and then pick up yards after the catch. Amendola is a poor man Victor Cruz in terms of athletic ability who is actually a Y-WR who excels 1on1 against a CB but is not going to run into a crowd of defenders and find a free spot. That is my opinion anyway.

I'm glad to see your more reasonable thoughts on Amendola, and I agree with many of them.

The only thing I disagree with is the thought that they weren't going to use him in many of the slot roles, as Edelman wasn't pursued in the least by us, nor did they really go after anyone else either.

There were also many reports that they weren't getting anywhere with Welker and did not want to risk losing out on both Welker and Amendola, which is why they pursued him right off the bat 3 days prior to free agency in the legal tampering period. If they didn't plan on him taking over that role on at least some level, I believe that they would have either upped their offer to Welker for another 1 million dollars, gone harder after Edelman, or tried to increase their offer to E.Sanders---or any combo of the above.

It seems to me that Amendola was injured this year judging by the fact that he continued to be on the injury report, while Edelman took over that role after week 1 when he went down. I just don't think that they left themselves high and dry by not keeping Welker and then leaving Edelman to hang for so long, while not attempting to explore other options at the same time.

I'd also argue that Amendola did just fine in that role while at STL in the past too. We may even see him play more of Edelman's role if he leaves in free agency, especially if it's going to cost nearly as much as some projections being thrown around.

 

[Brady6]

I'm glad to see your more reasonable thoughts on Amendola, and I agree with many of them.



The only thing I disagree with is the thought that they weren't going to use him in many of the slot roles, as Edelman wasn't pursued in the least by us, nor did they really go after anyone else either.



There were also many reports that they weren't getting anywhere with Welker and did not want to risk losing out on both Welker and Amendola, which is why they pursued him right off the bat 3 days prior to free agency in the legal tampering period. If they didn't plan on him taking over that role on at least some level, I believe that they would have either upped their offer to Welker for another 1 million dollars, gone harder after Edelman, or tried to increase their offer to E.Sanders---or any combo of the above.



It seems to me that Amendola was injured this year judging by the fact that he continued to be on the injury report, while Edelman took over that role after week 1 when he went down. I just don't think that they left themselves high and dry by not keeping Welker and then leaving Edelman to hang for so long, while not attempting to explore other options at the same time.



I'd also argue that Amendola did just fine in that role while at STL in the past too. We may even see him play more of Edelman's role if he leaves in free agency, especially if it's going to cost nearly as much as some projections being thrown around.

Sup I have actually been saying this the entire time I was more negative towards the expectations by some posters.

I am actually curious if the Patriots ever had the expectations that fans did for Amendola. Reports indicate we tried to resign Welker, we had Hernandez, drafted Boyce and the forgotten player by many of us was Donald Jones who also played a slot or Y-WR type role. I don't think there was any intentions of targeting Amendola 150-175 times like people suggested.

STL used him as more of a Y-WR and he ran routes that had the ball delivered 5-15 yards down field, we use the Z-WR in routes 0-5 yards and that is more congested and needs to materialize much quicker in terms of getting open. For what it is worth Victor Cruz couldn't do the thing Welker and Edelman do in my opinion either.

 

[VrabelJr]

Josh Boyce isn't a Y. He's a Z.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Amendola was supposed to be a huge piece. You don't give a $29M contract over 5 years to someone unless you think they're going to be a huge piece of the team

 

[PATS16N0]

I don't even know why we signed him. Anyone who couldn't see that Edelman could do what Welker did by Thanksgiving game of last year wasn't paying attention.

Now we probably need to resign Edelman and at the same time we're stuck giving money to Amendisappeara.

 

[Sciz]

I don't even know why we signed him. Anyone who couldn't see that Edelman could do what Welker did by Thanksgiving game of last year wasn't paying attention.

And the same people bashing Belichick for signing "injury-prone" Amendola are conveniently ignoring that Edelman broke his foot, had a pin put in, and then broke it again, starting toward the end of last season and going deep into the offseason. Not a single team wanted him for any significant amount of money last offseason. So basically, you don't think any of the decision-makers of the 32 teams were paying attention.

 

[ATippett56]

Well ..... Donald Jones and "Molasses Mike" were not the answer.

 

[Brady6]

Well ..... Donald Jones and "Molasses Mike" were not the answer.

Donald Jones was forced into retirement due to some type of kidney disease so he never ever actually had the opportunity to show if he could be an answer or not.

 

[Brady6]

Josh Boyce isn't a Y. He's a Z.

There are a lot of players that lineup primarily in the slot, so of the bigger names that come to mind are:

• Harvin
• Cruz
• Cobb
• Hilton
• Colston
• Boldin

These players run routes 5-15 yards down the field and usually are matched up with a CB 1on1 they’re not a slot WR in the same way that Welker, Edelman and some others are who run routes in the behind the line of scrimmage-5 yards range and are tasked with getting open quickly in the congestion of LBs, DL and they don’t have to run the football after the catch as well, players like Welker and Edelman often times are extensions of the running game just as much as they’re parts of the passing game. In my opinion Amendola is more of a Harvin, Cruz, etc. type player who can do some of the things that Welker and Edelman do (as can the rest of the players in that group) but they’re not nearly as effective, consistent and reliable at it because their skillset works best further up field with more time to materialize. There is nothing wrong with that type of player they’re just is not likely to catch 120 footballs.

 

[Deus Irae]

Well ..... Donald Jones and "Molasses Mike" were not the answer.

Pretty much everyone with any kind of football knowledge knew that to be the case. They were awful signings and money wasted.

 

[letekro]

Not clear what the point of this thread is: Amendola didn't work because he got hurt again (fair) or Amendola didn't work because he is not very good (unfair, and wrong). If the latter, I'll let Reiss have the last word.


Q. Mike, with his lack of availability and low production (especially in the AFC title game), can Danny Amandola be considered a bust for 2013? -- Bert (Norwood, Mass.)



A. Bert, simply based on production, it was a disappointment. I think we'll soon find out that Amendola was playing through a badly injured groin for most of the season. He probably should have been on injured reserve as he looked like a different player after his remarkable performance in the season opener when he aggravated his existing injury.


New England Patriots Mailbag -- Making sense of season's end - ESPN Boston

 

[Rob0729]

Pretty much everyone with any kind of football knowledge knew that to be the case. They were awful signings and money wasted.

Donald Jones retired because he has a kidney disease and his blood pressure spiked in a physical over the spring and was forced to retire. And he didn't cost the Pats a dime. He signed a contract with no signing bonus or guaranteed money. He wasn't going to be a world beater, but if healthy, he might have done something to help as an outside receiver.

Jenkins also had no signing bonus or guarantees. All the Pats lost on him was the per diem he got during training camp.

They were not good signing, but there was no money wasted.

 

[Deus Irae]

Not clear what the point of this thread is: Amendola didn't work because he got hurt again (fair) or Amendola didn't work because he is not very good (unfair, and wrong). If the latter, I'll let Reiss have the last word.


Q. Mike, with his lack of availability and low production (especially in the AFC title game), can Danny Amandola be considered a bust for 2013? -- Bert (Norwood, Mass.)



A. Bert, simply based on production, it was a disappointment. I think we'll soon find out that Amendola was playing through a badly injured groin for most of the season. He probably should have been on injured reserve as he looked like a different player after his remarkable performance in the season opener when he aggravated his existing injury.


New England Patriots Mailbag -- Making sense of season's end - ESPN Boston

People oversell that Buffalo game, and Reiss is doing that here. He had 6 of his 10 catches in the last two drives. That's a nice stretch, but it's not like he was a monster all game long, or anything remotely like that.

 

[chasa]

the biggest knock on amendola coming into the season wasn't that he couldn't put up Welker number, which he hasn't been able to do in his career, it was that he couldn't stay healthy.

I championed for him when he was signed, I'm not one to let some freak injuries stop my hype train, however we saw amendola get hurt in game 1.

So was amendola a disapointment this year? Yes.

His contract guarantees him a second year, if he lights it up great, if not cut your losses.

I still feel letting welker go was the right move, after he turned down a fair contract. Welker was never enough to get us over the hump, and as a team we got just as far this year without welker, as we did with him last year.

 

[Mack Herron]

I did not like the Amendola move when he was signed but I think it is more accurate to say the WR position was not adequately stocked than to look specifically at Amendola. It took a lot of guts to try to play through his injury when probably he should have been IR'd. Had we had any receiver besides Edelman who knew what he was doing they might have been more comfortable getting surgery for Amendola. This was not a recurring injury and it was not predictable, although a lot of people pretend to have crystal balls when it comes to injuries. It was a mistake to rely so heavily on rookie WRs in the first place. We got more from them than we had any right to expect. We needed (and still need) another solid veteran. This is true even if we sign Edelman and Gronk returns.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I would love to see Amendola compete against a tall legitimate threat(to amendola) in training camp, the winner gets the job.Our depth at Wide receive and TE is pathetic at best, i'm really hoping we draft properly and take care of this problem.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

42 snaps and Brady only threw to him 1 time last game. Which he dropped.

If Brady doesn't trust him he's toast.

 

[zipster9]

42 snaps and Brady only threw to him 1 time last game. Which he dropped.

If Brady doesn't trust him he's toast.

Well, supposedly, Amendola is faster and quicker than Welker. If that was true, Amendola would be open (for a pass thrown to him) more often than Welker.

And if Amendola is mostly open, Brady would throw to him.

1 pass in the Broncos game. 1 drop in the Broncos game.