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By Kevin Patra
The New England Patriots paid wide receiver Danny Amendola to fill Wes Welker's shoes in 2013.
What they got was an oft-injured player who started just six games (played in 12) and caught 54 passes.
The Patriots handed Amendola a five-year, $28.5 million contract, with a $6 million signing bonus, expecting to get a gritty veteran receiver. Instead, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels described the receiver as somewhat of a greenhorn.
"Danny's not dissimilar to the rookies," McDaniels told the Boston Globe. "He wasn't here before, and he had an opportunity to get a foundation and a system last year. And now it's his second year, and it will be exciting to see Danny's growth. Any time you're in your second year in a system, you're more comfortable. We're excited to see what he does."
Perhaps Amendola can overcome his first-year failures, but in reality, his production was on par with his previous four years in St. Louis: miss multiple games with injuries, catch 50 to 75 passes, gain 600-or-so yards and grab a couple of touchdowns.
The Patriots' offseason moves don't impart a belief that Amendola will suddenly become the player they paid him to be just because it's his second year in the system. The Pats re-signed Julian Edelman -- who became the player Amendola was paid to be -- brought in veteran Brandon LaFell and drafted Jeremy Gallon.
With Rob Gronkowski expected to return from a torn ACL and an improved Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson hoping to buttress Edelman, Amendola might be in a fight for playing time.
Given his contract, it's going to take a major leap in production and health for Amendola to stick on the Patriots' roster beyond 2014.
The New England Patriots paid wide receiver Danny Amendola to fill Wes Welker's shoes in 2013.
What they got was an oft-injured player who started just six games (played in 12) and caught 54 passes.
The Patriots handed Amendola a five-year, $28.5 million contract, with a $6 million signing bonus, expecting to get a gritty veteran receiver. Instead, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels described the receiver as somewhat of a greenhorn.
"Danny's not dissimilar to the rookies," McDaniels told the Boston Globe. "He wasn't here before, and he had an opportunity to get a foundation and a system last year. And now it's his second year, and it will be exciting to see Danny's growth. Any time you're in your second year in a system, you're more comfortable. We're excited to see what he does."
Perhaps Amendola can overcome his first-year failures, but in reality, his production was on par with his previous four years in St. Louis: miss multiple games with injuries, catch 50 to 75 passes, gain 600-or-so yards and grab a couple of touchdowns.
The Patriots' offseason moves don't impart a belief that Amendola will suddenly become the player they paid him to be just because it's his second year in the system. The Pats re-signed Julian Edelman -- who became the player Amendola was paid to be -- brought in veteran Brandon LaFell and drafted Jeremy Gallon.
With Rob Gronkowski expected to return from a torn ACL and an improved Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson hoping to buttress Edelman, Amendola might be in a fight for playing time.
Given his contract, it's going to take a major leap in production and health for Amendola to stick on the Patriots' roster beyond 2014.
