Danny Amendola survived an offseason of trade rumors and doubt and now must return to the New England Patriots and prove why he signed the contract he did last offseason. Amendola's debut season with the Patriots was inconsistent at best after he signed over from the St. Louis Rams. He spent a portion of injured and another portion of struggling to gain chemistry with quarterback Tom Brady. The Patritos held off on dealing him and now Amendola says 2014 will be a much-improved year for him.
According to Amendola, 2013 was a difficult learning curve to overcome. He also several injuries pop up and only played in 12 games total. Now he feels more comfortable in the Patriots' offense and believes his chemistry with Brady has developed enough for him to be a productive player this upcoming season.
"I feel comfortable," Amendola said, via the Boston Globe. "It's different. A year under your belt in a new system, in a new place, in a new organization, it's kind of like when a rookie comes in for the first time and tries to learn the offense. It might be difficult at times, but that second year that learning curve is much less. I feel very comfortable right now. I'm just trying to come out here and work."
Amendola's 2013 struggles caused the Patriots to make several offseason moves. They re-signed Julian Edelman in free agency after he had a career-high year following Amendola's struggles. They also brought on Brandon LaFell in free agency after the Carolina Panthers opted not to retain him. Those two receivers paired with a healthy Rob Gronkowski along with Kebrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson add competition for Amendola, hence the trade rumors. The Patriots have confirmed that the wide receiver will not be dealt this season, but there are no guarantees that he starts for the team.
The Boston Globe reports that that Patriots need Amendola to prove a lot in training camp before they give the wide receiver a starting spot over two young players that showed plenty of improvement in the offseason. The wide receiver says he is ready to show the Patriots a better side of himself while he ignores the critics and Brady likes what he sees.
"I think everybody - Danny and all of the guys who are coming in here after their first year with our team - it's a different offense [for them]," said Brady, via the Boston Globe. "We do quite a few things. We move guys around a lot. There are a lot of post-snap reads, a lot of pre-snap reads. There is a lot of non-verbal communication that goes on. So we're still working at it, and he's been out here every day working his butt off, too. That's been great to see."