(Theoretically healthy) Amendola or Mitchell: better playoff option?

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I doubt Amendola will be near 100% even in 3-4 weeks because these high ankle sprains take a long, long time to fully heal, but for the purpose of debate (instead of wide speculation about Amendola's effectiveness) let's assume Amendola is healthy come playoff time...the reality is he is almost always banged up anyways and rarely playing without any ailment.

I expect the Patriots to use their strengths like they usually do, which means a lot of targets for Lewis and White, while I think we will see a pretty heavy workload for Blount on running and play action downs. Provided Bennett stays healthy, he will be in for most of the snaps. Clearly Edelman and Hogan will be the #1 and #2 receivers in terms of snap counts and targets. Given that we probably won't see a ton of 4/5 WR sets, that leaves Amendola and Mitchell splitting the reps for the #3 WR. Who do trust more between Amendola and Mitchell, and who do you think should get the majority of snaps in the postseason?

Amendola has proven to be a very clutch player who almost always makes difficult catches with the game on the line. I don't have stats, but I can't remember any targets on 3rd down late in a close game where he didn't make a catch if the ball was anywhere near him. He also made that huge 4th quarter TD against Thomas in SB 49. Its clear Brady has tremendous confidence in DA as a 3rd/4th target. Amendola is a sure handed veteran who has a deep grasp of the offense and rarely fumbles...he is as good a route runner as they have.

Mitchell has done very little to show he isn't ready for crunch time. I think it's obvious that from a skills standpoint, he has a higher upside than Amendola. He is able to beat better corners, has awesome body control, and has shown great soft hands, rarely dropping anything close. In addition, he has better speed and seems to be bigger (even though he is much smaller than he appears to be when attacking balls.). The only thing is he's a rookie and there could be some unknown in his play, and the postseason would be a costly time to find about any deficiencies, such as running the wrong route, fumbling, or just getting lost in the pressure and intense, physical defensive style. Think 2010 playoff meltdown to Jets when a bunch of rookies and first time playoff guys lost their composure.

Thoughts?

 

[BradyFTW!]

I think Mitchell is the better player, and I don't even think it's super close. But having said that, Amendola made a ton of clutch plays in the 2014 SB run. I dunno how to weigh that against what we've seen from Mitchell the last few weeks, but when you're comparing an established playoff-performing vet to a rookie it definitely has to be taken into account.

I do think Mitchell will probably have greater playoff production though, if only because of Amendola's injury.

 

[willard]

Theoretically Amendola by a good amount for me. He KNOWS all the plays Josh can call and knows Tom and knows football. Beyond that he is a very good punt returner and I don't like Edelman doing it. Hogan and potentially Floyd offer some redundancies to Mitchell.

Mitchell definitely has the potential to be THE MAN in a playoff game. Appears on tv to run good routes. Opens up those huge white gloved hands and Brady sees them and TD!!!!!

 

[PatsFan2]

Malcom Mitchell will be good but I say Michael Floyd will be better than the rest except for Edelman book it.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Malcom Mitchell will be good but I say Michael Floyd will be better than the rest except for Edelman book it.

I expect Floyd will be a red zone option in more of a specialty role. Hogan is the only WR with any size, though I'd hardly describe him as a physical player. Floyd could also learn a limited playbook as a red zone option in this offense. I could be wrong, but that's my best guess.

 

[The Gr8est]

Hopefully we get both.

But consider that Amendola has the best hand-eye coordination on the team, and has playoff experience.

Gonna be comforting having him fielding punts during crunch time.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Edelman-Mitchell-Floyd-Amendola-Hogan sounds really good to me.

 

[PatsFan2]

TB12 Hogan is that far down your dept chart?? Forgive him for that drop in Denver please.

 

[bormio]

Edelman-Mitchell-Floyd-Amendola-Hogan sounds really good to me.

5 WR sets with those guys would put a serious strain on the CB depth on any team.

 

[PatsFan2]

I expect Floyd will be a red zone option in more of a specialty role. Hogan is the only WR with any size, though I'd hardly describe him as a physical player. Floyd could also learn a limited playbook as a red zone option in this offense. I could be wrong, but that's my best guess.

Floyd should be use for clear outs and dare the Defense not to send the Safety with him good luck Defense. Just ask Seattle DB's how they fare against Floyd...Edelman our RB's and Bennett should have plenty of room to work underneath.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

5 WR sets with those guys would put a serious strain on the CB depth on any team.

Yup, Floyd essentially replaces Gronk in the passing game (not 100%, obviously).

 

[willard]

Funny with it being such a passing league, the 5 receiver sets are rarely used.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

TB12 Hogan is that far down your dept chart?? Forgive him for that drop in Denver please.

Not sure where to put him TBH. It's a luxury of riches.

 

[The Gr8est]

Floyd should be use for clear outs and dare the Defense not to send the Safety with him good luck Defense. Just ask Seattle DB's how they fare against Floyd...Edelman our RB's and Bennett should have plenty of room to work underneath.

Have him run Slater's routes.

It keeps Slater healthy, and Floyd is more likely to catch the ball.

Profit.

 

[brdmaverick]

Amedola hasn't had a lot of action his way this year but he seems to come up with some crazy clutch catches. The dude is cool under pressure.

 

[PatsFan2]

That's what I'm saying the last Big WR Brady had with Talent Moss...not saying Floyd is the next Moss but in our current Offense Floyd is close and still young enough. That Brady did pretty well that Big WR with a ridiculous catch radius named Moss again Mr. Floyd is close enough.

 

[BobDigital]

Comes down to talent vs experience and dependability. Personally with this team I think as long as you have Hogan/Edelman/Bennett/White/Lewis with our pretty good D I think being dependable is the most important thing. I am glad we have both though.

I expect Mitchell to make a few pretty big plays for this team. I love how good his hands are. Amendola is just so automatic though. Always in the right spot and never drops it. You can't overstate that.

In the playoffs I think the order of who should be featured the most is...

Edelman
White/Lewis
Bennett
Hogan

Then you probably have Amendola on 3rd downs.
Mitchell when there is less crunch time pressure and you are closer the the red zone or looking for a bigger play on the outside.
Floyd inside the redzone.

Of course on play action is when you look for Bennett/Hogan/Floyd the most.

That is how they will pass it I am confident. I would like to see them pass to White more though so they can save Lewis more for run plays.

 

[Patjew]

Amedola hasn't had a lot of action his way this year but he seems to come up with some crazy clutch catches. The dude is cool under pressure.

Handsome too.

 

[Ring 6]

I doubt Amendola will be near 100% even in 3-4 weeks because these high ankle sprains take a long, long time to fully heal, but for the purpose of debate (instead of wide speculation about Amendola's effectiveness) let's assume Amendola is healthy come playoff time...the reality is he is almost always banged up anyways and rarely playing without any ailment.

I expect the Patriots to use their strengths like they usually do, which means a lot of targets for Lewis and White, while I think we will see a pretty heavy workload for Blount on running and play action downs. Provided Bennett stays healthy, he will be in for most of the snaps. Clearly Edelman and Hogan will be the #1 and #2 receivers in terms of snap counts and targets. Given that we probably won't see a ton of 4/5 WR sets, that leaves Amendola and Mitchell splitting the reps for the #3 WR. Who do trust more between Amendola and Mitchell, and who do you think should get the majority of snaps in the postseason?

Amendola has proven to be a very clutch player who almost always makes difficult catches with the game on the line. I don't have stats, but I can't remember any targets on 3rd down late in a close game where he didn't make a catch if the ball was anywhere near him. He also made that huge 4th quarter TD against Thomas in SB 49. Its clear Brady has tremendous confidence in DA as a 3rd/4th target. Amendola is a sure handed veteran who has a deep grasp of the offense and rarely fumbles...he is as good a route runner as they have.

Mitchell has done very little to show he isn't ready for crunch time. I think it's obvious that from a skills standpoint, he has a higher upside than Amendola. He is able to beat better corners, has awesome body control, and has shown great soft hands, rarely dropping anything close. In addition, he has better speed and seems to be bigger (even though he is much smaller than he appears to be when attacking balls.). The only thing is he's a rookie and there could be some unknown in his play, and the postseason would be a costly time to find about any deficiencies, such as running the wrong route, fumbling, or just getting lost in the pressure and intense, physical defensive style. Think 2010 playoff meltdown to Jets when a bunch of rookies and first time playoff guys lost their composure.

Thoughts?

Mitchell has become an almost every down player. Amendola has played about 15 snaps a game mostly in 4 wides. That isn't going to change. Amendola is the 4th wr.

 

[billikens]

Right now in both of their careers, both healthy? Amendola. His sure hands and route running and proven post-season prowess put him over Mitchell in my mind, but if you asked me in a year from now, it may be a different story. Regardless, I am totally happy we have both and hope Amendola is healthy enough to compete for that spot against Mitchell. Without Gronk we are a different offense, and the number of weapons Brady has is in stark contrast to the entire offense basically being hurt at this time last year. It is actually interesting and exciting, and will keep opponents' defenses guessing because this is not the usual offense BB likes with the big tight ends, which ironically is the short-staffed position here.