Danny Amendola provides necessary insurance for Patriots

Erik Frenz, Boston.com:

Stock Up:Danny Amendola: With Julian Edelman out, the Patriots needed someone to step up in a big way. Enter Danny Amendola, who has been all but a non-factor in the offense this season. Amendola made eight catches for 63 yards on the day, and also had a few key returns on special teams (91 yards on five kickoff returns, 63 yards on three punt returns).

In 14 games for the Patriots in 2014, Danny Amendola had 15 catches for 113 yards. Amendola was targeted 11 times on Sunday, hauling in eight catches. 44 offensive snaps for Danny exceeded his usual weekly total of 26. Last week against Miami, Danny was only on the field for 12 offensive plays. In the words of ESPN analyst Herm Edwards, "all NFL players are week to week."

New England was unable to move the ball on the ground. Late in the third quarter, the Patriots had rushed for only eight yards on seven carries. The Jets had limited TE Rob Gronkowski to six catches for 31 yards. In the October 16th game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, New York had done another fine job in allowing Rob only five receptions. With the issues on the offensive line in protecting QB Tom Brady, there was very little time for Tom to look for his big tight end.

“Danny did a great job and he’s been really looking for this opportunity,” said QB Tom Brady. Mike Reiss, ESPNBoston:

“That’s why we work so hard, so we can get out there and play,” Amendola said. “We work really hard together and the good thing about this team is that there are no selfish players out here. I wasn’t out there counting snaps, just trying to get my job done.”

With four minutes 42 seconds to play against the Jets on Sunday, a Tom Brady pass intended for WR Danny Amendola went incomplete to the right. Four seconds later, it was a Brady to Amendola completion to the left, good for seven yards to the New York 48 yard line. Danny had cut inside a fine block by WR Brian Tyms, and stretched for the first down while being tackled by Jet's safety, Dawan Landry. The challenge by Rex Ryan was not overturned. It was Danny Amendola in a "photo finish" over the New York Jets

Danny Amendola didn't have the chance to "spike" one like Rob Gronkowski in the end zone on Sunday, but without his efforts, there is no New England victory over the New York Jets.

The game plan for this Sunday against Buffalo will be different. It is possible that Danny Amendola will be
on the sidelines if WR Julian Edelman returns from his concussion. That won't bother the Bills at all. On September 8, 2013, Danny torched the Buffalo secondary for 104 yards on 10 receptions. Amendola showed some real toughness in returning to the game despite a nagging groin injury.

Whether it is Week 1 in Buffalo or Week 17 against Buffalo, Danny Amendola just waits for "an opportunity."



Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.

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