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His legacy is strange and unlikely. The expectations were a 100-catch, 1,200 receiver and Wes Welker replacement, and there was almost universal criticism when BB signed him as Wes walked away. I think Amendola never had the same burst after his initial groin injury after his first game here against Buffalo (later revealed a full separation of his groin.) He was what we all feared, a very injury prone player. He was surpassed on the depth chart by Julian Edelman. He was never as consistent as Welker, and his production paled in comparison by a gigantic margin. He never topped 70 receptions or 650 yards in a season. In short, he was a 3rd or 4th option in the offense, a guy who was reliable but not spectacular. A guy whose stats fell so short of his initial contract that anyone would call him a bust without hesitation.
Right? Except...Danny Amendola will go down as one of the most beloved Patriots to put on the uniform.
I cannot recall a time in four years that Danny Amendola did not make a catch on either third or fourth down with the game on the line. Some catches were absurdly difficult...he has never dropped one. Any time we were in the most critical, most pressure packed situation, in the most important games, Danny Amendola was Tom Brady's most trusted target. I would like to compile a list, but I wouldn't know where to begin. 3rd and 10, 4th and 10, late in fourth quarter where it's literally first down or game over, Amendola is, along with Troy Brown, the most money wide receiver I have ever seen. He scored fourth quarter TDs in both Super Bowls.
He took big pay cuts twice to come back here, just to win; he loved to play in New England, with Brady. He never complained about a lack of targets. He always went out 110% on every down, whether as a decoy, blocker, or as the target of the team's last gasp for life. He battled through injuries and played through pain more often than being close to healthy.
Thoughts?
Right? Except...Danny Amendola will go down as one of the most beloved Patriots to put on the uniform.
I cannot recall a time in four years that Danny Amendola did not make a catch on either third or fourth down with the game on the line. Some catches were absurdly difficult...he has never dropped one. Any time we were in the most critical, most pressure packed situation, in the most important games, Danny Amendola was Tom Brady's most trusted target. I would like to compile a list, but I wouldn't know where to begin. 3rd and 10, 4th and 10, late in fourth quarter where it's literally first down or game over, Amendola is, along with Troy Brown, the most money wide receiver I have ever seen. He scored fourth quarter TDs in both Super Bowls.
He took big pay cuts twice to come back here, just to win; he loved to play in New England, with Brady. He never complained about a lack of targets. He always went out 110% on every down, whether as a decoy, blocker, or as the target of the team's last gasp for life. He battled through injuries and played through pain more often than being close to healthy.
Thoughts?
