Tom Brady is well aware replacing Julian Edelman will not be easy. The quarterback told media that the Patriots can sign whoever they want off the free agent market, but there is simply not another Edelman available. With the receiver out until at least the playoffs, the Patriots have to do something to fill the hole he left on the field which will be turning to Danny Amendola and LeGarrette Blount.
The Patriots have not made a move to sign another receiver off the free agent market and will instead dig deep into their roster depth for help. Amendola is first on the list to fill the void of Edelman and while Brady is hopeful the receiver can handle the added pressure, he is making it clear the Patriots will be hurting without his presence on the field.
"Julian Edelmans just aren't sitting out on the street or else they'd be playing for another team, but the guys who are going to be in there, we'll have confidence in the things that they can do well," Brady said, via ESPN.com. "And I think the expectations are still the same. We expect to go out there and score points every time we touch the ball, and it may take a little different shape."
Brady stressed his confidence in Amendola along with Brandon LaFell and Aaron Dobson to step up. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills have made it clear they are getting ready for Rob Gronkowski to be the center piece of the Patriots' offense. That means Amendola along with LaFell and Dobson will have to step up for Brady as deep-field threats with the tight end covered up. Scott Chandler could also be in for a big game in two-tight end sets for the Patriots on Monday night.
The passing game will be a priority for the Patriots as the Bills' defensive front could bottle up the run game. With Dion Lewis out for the year, the Patriots lost their most versatile threat on the ground. James White and Brandon Bolden struggled to replace him in Week 10. The Bills' defense could make that a repeat issue for the team which puts the ball in Blount's hands. Head coach Rex Ryan plans on coming after the Patriots with everything he has. If the Patriots are going to stay undefeated with the amount of injuries on the roster, Amendola and Blount will be critical in Week 11.