Danny Amendola is entering a very important season with the New England Patriots and possibly his career in general. The wide receiver earned a large contract with the team just spend a good portion of his first season in New England injured and struggling for chemistry with Tom Brady. That simply cannot happen again as the Patriots are in win-now mode for a Super Bowl. However, will the wide receiver even get a chance to prove himself?
Amendola's future is getting some help via injury. While Amendola is not a lock to make the Patriots final roster, Aaron Dobson is. However, Dobson has yet to practice with New England this offseason and might not be healthy for training camp after a foot surgery is delaying his return to the Field. ProFootballTalk.com is reporting that Dobson has suffered some setbacks with his health and recovery and things are taking much longer than expected.
Dobson was a second-round draft pick last season and showed some serious promise during the 2013-14 season. However, it regular and postseason were cut short thanks to the injury and his 2014 season with be delayed to heal from this. Amendola is likely urging the wide receiver to take his time given it helps his future as well.
With Dobson out, Amendola is essential to keep around. Financially, it did not make sense for the Patriots to release him anyways. They were already forced to pay him the guaranteed portion of his salary for this season, meaning it is pointless to cut him regardless. However, injuries mean Amendola will need to step up even if it is just for training camp.
According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, Brady and Amendola are working hard to develop needed chemistry on the field, something that lacked last season. New England is looking to play faster this upcoming season and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has been impressed with what he is seeing out of Amendola, Kebrell Thompkins and Brandon LaFell. He noted everyone has come back with a better grasp of the system and playbook.
Just because Dobson is recovering and Amendola is improving does not mean the Patriots will shy away from a trade. There are several teams that will look their direction should someone get injured. New England will demand a big return for the wide receiver, something other teams have yet to fold to.
