Tom Brady lost one of his favorite receiving targets during the offseason. Free agent Wes Welker waved goodbye to the New England Patriots to join the Denver Broncos for upcoming season. In return, the Patriots signed mid-level receiver Danny Amendola. While Amendola might not come with the impressive resume like Welker had, he is forming a quick bond on the field with his new quarterback.
Brady and Amendola have been working overtime to try and gain the right amount of chemistry to be productive on the field. They have been spotted working out numerous times out in California, putting on passing sessions. Now as OTAs kick off for the Patriots, the work continues and the effort in the offseason is paying off.
"We're trying to get the most work we can in. It's still early. Just trying to go from there and try to be the best we can be in the given time that we have," Amendola said.
Amdendola and Welker have some similarities on the football field and Brady will work hard to mold the receiver into the type of target that he likes. Last season with the St. Louis Rams, Amendola put up 666 yards and three touchdowns. That simply does not compare to the 1,354 yards and six touchdowns Welker had, but he did not have Brady throwing him the ball. According to Amendola, Brady has been doing a lot of teaching and he is eager to learn.
"He's a legend. He's a football mind. He's been around the game for a long time, and it's fun to learn from him and play with him, pick his brain a little bit. It's going to be a good year. It's a fun system to be in and I'm looking forward to it," Amendola said.
Amendola is not the only pouring on the compliments. Brady is loving working with his new wide receiver and is praising his work ethic as the season kicks off.
"He comes in and he works really hard, and he wants to do everything right. He's very competitive. It's been a lot of fun. He's out here today, we're having fun together," Brady said.
Brady thinks Amendola is a perfect fit for the Patriots. He has come in and immediately begun to pick up the offensive system. He signed a five-year contract in New England. If he can remain healthy, the Patriots might be able to get Welker-like numbers out of him.
