Tag Archives: Danny Amendola

Braxton Berrios: Cut Candidate or Slot Receiver of the Future?

Leave a reply

The New England Patriots drafted Miami wide receiver Braxton Berrios in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. The stereotypes were all present: quick, agile, white slot receiver with good hands and route running. Many draft analysts called this pick weeks in advance, and when it happened it seemed Berrios could be of help early on.

New England had just dealt Brandin Cooks to the Rams and lost Danny Amendola to the Dolphins, so receiver was an area of need. They did have the likes of aging Kenny Britt and Jordan Matthews on the roster, but the loss of Amendola was what really concerned people.

With Julian Edelman sidelined in 2017 and suspended for four games in 2018, slot receiver depth was depleted. Enter Braxton Berrios.

After a very successful career at the University of Miami, Berrios projected to be a late round pick due to his of lack of NFL traits. His height was a concern, being 5’9″, and his catchability was also brought into question because of this. Scouts believed him to be good enough to potentially be a backup or on special teams, similar to what Julian Edelman projected.

Even with his negative characteristics, Bill Belichick obviously liked him enough to not wait until after the draft. He nabbed him with 210th overall pick, and must have had good thoughts in mind because he was the only receiver Belichick drafted. With Edelman suspended and not 100%, and Amendola cashing in, Berrios seemed to have a starting job staring him in the face.

Riley McCarron was the only slot receiver on the roster at the time, but Berrios seemed to have a better skill set. The preseason was going to be the ultimate determination on which slot guy the Pats would carry. However, that decision was made for New England, as Berrios got injured and was placed on Injured Reserve.

So, assuming he’s fully healthy at the start of OTA’s, what does the future hold for Berrios? He will have an opportunity to earn his roster spot, as the Pats only have Edelman signed for 2019. Although, this is going to change, with multiple receivers expected to be signed for next season. There are a few big slot receivers on the market, especially Golden Tate and Adam Humphries.

While Berrios will have his work cut out for him when these receivers are signed, he does have an advantage. He was able to learn the playbook and play with the offense for training camp last year. Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio also had some encouraging things to say about him:

“[He’s] an impressive kid,” Caserio said following the draft. “This guy’s really, really smart. He graduated in, I want to say three to three-and-a-half years, whatever it was. Played inside the formation at the University of Miami, really productive, really tough, good traits, smart, good quickness.”

While it is obvious the Patriots like his ability and potential, there simply might not be room for him. It is within the realm of possibility that Berrios could beat out some of the free agents or draftees mentioned earlier. However, the more likely scenario is Berrios ending up on the practice squad.

New England prefers to hang onto their late round draft picks instead of cut them, and that’s the foreseeable future for the former Hurricane. He has the traits and ability to maybe, potentially, be the heir to Julian Edelman’s throne. Of course, that hinges on Berrios sticking around for another 3-4 years.

Berrios could stay on the active roster in the meantime on special teams, similar to 2009-2010 Edelman. He would be the backup to the backup slot receiver, Dwight Schrute style, but he would be getting valuable reps. His punt return ability is also something the Patriots value greatly and could also land him a roster spot. This is less likely than the practice squad, but is still possible with how little depth the Pats currently have.

However, another question is: Could Berrios be cut?

The answer is yes, but winding up on the practice squad is still the biggest possibility. The Patriots had a similar situation with Austin Carr a couple years ago; Carr was an undrafted slot receiver but there was not enough room on the active roster. After a very successful preseason, New England opted to cut Carr rather than place him on the practice squad.

He was immediately gobbled up by the Saints and placed on their practice squad. Carr is now a productive player for New Orleans, and the Pats certainly could have used his depth in 2018.

Berrios is similar, and should be signed to the practice squad if he performs well. If he comes into training camp and tears it up however, there is a real possibility that his versatility could land him a spot on the 53. This would most likely be for special teams and depth reasons, but the opportunities would be there.

If he does not perform though, it is possible that he ends up on the practice squad. But being cut as apart of roster cutdowns is more than likely to happen if he does underperform.

So to answer the question, “Cut candidate or slot receiver of the future?”, it is easier to see the former. Berrios is going to have a ton of competition come summer time, and is still a sixth round pick. He does have special teams value, which could land him a roster spot. “Slot receiver of the future” on the other hand does not seem feasible at this point though.

Best Wide Receiver targets for New England

Leave a reply

In 2019 free agency, the wide receiver position is going to see a lot of turnover in New England. Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson, and technically Josh Gordon are all free agents. It is reasonable to think that the Patriots can bring back two of these players, including Josh Gordon.

However, New England will need to retool the receiver position with new faces regardless of who stays and goes. In years past, it hasn’t been as necessary to bring in dynamic weapons due to Tom Brady being Tom Brady. As TB12 nears age 42 though, the playmakers around him will need to be better than ever before.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing options at wide receiver for New England this offseason:

Adam Humphries, UFA

Perhaps one of the most sought after free agents this year, Adam Humphries is a perfect fit for New England. Setting aside the small, white slot receiver narrative, Humphries would slide right into Josh McDaniels’ offense. He’s mainly worked out of the slot during his time in Tampa Bay, racking up nearly 900 yards and five touchdowns this past season. Although, he’s able to work other receiver positions as well, similar to what Danny Amendola did for five years.

This style of receiver complements Julian Edelman extremely well, but Humphries won’t be an easy get. He has a multitude of suitors due to his playmaking and catching ability, and could be overpaid this offseason. The Browns and Colts are two teams that have been linked to him, and they have double the cap space New England does. Humphries is perhaps the best fit out of all the available receivers, but will have a hefty price tag.

Golden Tate, UFA

Patriots fans have been coveting someone like Golden Tate for years, and the opportunity has arrived to make it happen. Tate had a decent 2018 campaign, going for nearly 800 yards and four TD’s. Although his ability to be a “do-it-all” type receiver is much more attractive than stats.

Tate mainly plays out of the slot, but is quick enough that he can be a solid deep threat. Like Humphries, the former Lions standout complements Julian Edelman perfectly, and is a natural fit for what the Patriots do on offense.

It’s been reported that Tate would like to stay in Philadephia, but the Eagles aren’t expected to pursue him. When the 2019 season starts, Tate will be 31, but has shown that he still has some gas left in the tank. His market won’t be nearly as competitive as Humphries’ will, and the price tag will be significantly less.

Jermaine Kearse, UFA

A former Seahawk, Kearse has been one of the most underappreciated wideouts in football for years. His stats are always competitive, even when he was with the bumbling Jets, and he is a playmaking machine (see the 2014 Super Bowl). Unlike Humphries and Tate, Kearse plays on the outside a majority of the time, and would likely take over Chris Hogan’s position if he’s signed.

There is a definitely a need for someone like Kearse, who would most likely come on a relatively cheap deal. Chris Hogan was unable to get separation a lot of the time on the outside, and Kearse is very well known for his ability to get a step on cornerbacks. His history of dropped passes is a little concerning, but that’s why he would come on a team-friendly deal. It’s worth looking into, but there are certainly better options on the market.

Cole Beasley, UFA

Another receiver linked to the Patriots due to his race and position, Beasley made it very clear he wants out of Dallas. New England is going to sign or draft a slot receiver this offseason, it’s inevitable. There was a clear need for a Danny Amendola type player in 2018 to match up alongside Edelman, and Beasley fits the bill.

He has a very similar play style to Edelman, as he plays hard and racks up a ton of yards after the catch. Even with the dysfunction in Dallas, he garnered 672 yards and three touchdowns in 2018. Between Beasley, Humphries, and Tate, Beasley could be the best overall option. His price tag won’t be significantly high, he’s a tad younger than Tate, and of course is a bona fide fit. It is likely that this is who the Patriots will ultimately sign for the slot unless Tate comes cheaper.

Demaryius Thomas, UFA

Thomas had a rough 2018 season, posting his worst numbers since 2011, and tearing his Achilles late in the year. He won’t be ready to play until the end of summer and is the oldest receiver on this list at age 31. Even with all of this, New England should try to take a flier on Thomas.

It wouldn’t be anything more than a one or two year deal, but we all know the Patriots’ success with veteran wideouts. Bill Belichick has seen plenty of Thomas from his time with Denver, and knows how good of a receiver he is. Even if it is just for preseason depth, there is very little risk to bring Thomas in to see how much he can still contribute. It’s also worth noting that if Josh Gordon can’t get reinstated, the former Bronco would slide nicely into Gordon’s position.

Antonio Brown, Trade

This name is on this list simply because it has to be. Is there any chance the Steelers trade away their perennial All-Pro to the Pats? Of course not. Do the Patriots have the capital to make it happen though? Absolutely.

Brown comes with his own set of challenges, with his recent diva act being quite the cause for concern. However, there was another All-Pro receiver that had similar problems in 2006 and was traded away to the Pats for nothing in 2007. Ring any bells?

However, Oakland trading Randy Moss to New England wasn’t doing Oakland any harm. The two teams rarely play and the Raiders weren’t going anywhere in the playoffs. The Steelers on the other hand, see the Patriots once, sometimes twice a year. Which means if they did deal Brown to New England, they would most likely watch their former star dismantle Pittsburgh’s zone defense at least once every season.

There are very few scenarios in which Brown puts on a Patriot jersey. The 49ers are the most probable destination. Although, the asking price for Brown may be too high for some teams because of his recent quitting act. In this scenario, there is a chance the Patriots package a couple of higher draft picks to land the receiver.

Odell Beckham Jr., Trade

While at first this might seem like another Antonio Brown type pipe dream, it’s not as crazy as the previous trade scenario. Odell Beckham Jr. can be the most dynamic player in football when healthy. He can also be the league’s most dramatic prima donna when things don’t go his way.

Unlike Brown, Beckham is more affordable and a more likely trade target. The Giants wouldn’t necessarily mind trading with the Patriots, and they probably wouldn’t ask for the farm either. A high draft pick, second or third round, packaged with another young player could make the deal work.

The only question is would the Giants be willing to part ways with the wideout. It depends on which way New York is leaning in regards to their rebuild. They have a bright future with Saquon Barkley and the sixth draft pick in 2019, which will be used on a quarterback. The rest of the team though, is abysmal to say the least. The Giants won’t be competitive for a couple of years, and with OBJ’s injury history and hefty five year contract, the timing could be right.

Danny Amendola could return to the Patriots

Leave a reply

Danny Amendola reunion with Tom Brady?

Danny Amendola could be on the move again. The Dolphins could be moving on from the wide receiver who is owed $6 million next season. Amendola didn’t have a great season with the Dolphins, only having 59 receptions for 575 yards. His last season with the Patriots he had 61 receptions for 659 yards. With the Patriots coming off another Super Bowl title they might consider bringing him back. He was a massive playmaker in the playoffs for the Patriots. Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, and Cordarrelle Patterson are free agents ,which means there could be room to sign Amendola.

Amendola’s best shot at winning is with the Patriots

Amendola knows the Patriots offense and has good chemistry with Brady and Edelman. If they added Amendola and brought back Hogan and Dorsett they’ll have a pretty good wide receiver core. If Edelman is covered well during games you could expect Amendola to step up and make the big play. It would be a lot better than they had this year when they won the Super Bowl. They wouldn’t need to bring back Josh Gordon regardless if he gets reinstated. They can replace him with Danny Amendola.

Amendola left New England because of money issues. Amendola told Mike Reiss that Belichick is known for not paying his players and wanted to do what was best for him. ” I understand Bill [Belichick] runs a tight ship, and he hasn’t been known to pay his players, really. I understood that I gave money back to him so I could play for him and play for my teammates and fulfill my side of the contract, and at the end of the day, I had faith that he was going to give me an opportunity to stay.” Amendola said to Reiss last year. He won’t, however, have a good season with a bad quarterback who can’t give him the ball.

Brady is the only quarterback that can do that consistently. Also, give him the best opportunity to score too. It’s also his best shot at winning another championship and adding a ring to his collection. His stats went down from New England to Miami. they can go up again if he comes back.

Search for Lombardi Trophy images.

Patriots Finally Have The Motivation They Need

5 Replies

The sky is falling for the Patriots.  Just as people have started to come to terms with the loss to the Steelers, Josh Gordon is taking his ball and going home.  In fact, this bad news is finally enough to get Belichick’s bedrock philosophy back in vogue.  Bulletin board material is here, and just in time too.

Gordon is Gone

The details are still leaking out, but Josh Gordon appears to be looking at a suspension of some sort.  On the face of it, this is really bad news.  The Patriots have had trouble at receiver ever since Danny Amendola signed with the Dolphins last off-season.

Furthermore, the Patriots have five losses for the first time since they lost six in 2009.  That was the dreaded ‘I just can’t get this team to play the way we need to play’ team from A Football Life.

Things look bad.  So how is this a good thing?

Bulletin Board Material

Remember the halcyon days of the beginning of this Patriots dynasty?  Remember when teams took the Patriots lightly?  The Steelers are the masters of gifting Belichick with material to rile the troops.

During the 2001 Super Bowl run, the Steelers were happy to announce that their bags were packed for New Orleans and the Super Bowl.  The Patriots walked away with a 24-17 win in the AFC Championship.

The media at large was enough for Belichick in the runs to the 2001 and 2003 Championships.  No one gave the Patriots a chance against the Rams in 2001.  The hype machine for Peyton Manning was in full force in 2003.

There was a regular cornucopia of bulletin board material.  Belichick simply plucked it out of the air.

The End Of The Underdog

By the time Rodney Harrison was flapping his arms in the waning moments of the 2004 Championship against the Eagles, it was clear this motivation tactic was wearing thin.  The Patriots were favored in the game against the Eagles.  They had to dig deep to find little used wide receiver Freddy Mitchell declaring he didn’t know the Patriots defenders’ names.

In every playoff game since, other than perhaps an AFC Championship in Denver in 2016, the Patriots have been favored.  The media has begrudgingly given The Belichick’s their due.  Brady is now the GOAT.  Loosing to the Giants in two Super Bowls wasn’t enough to knock the luster off the great and powerful Patriots.

What Is Old Is New Again

It has been distressing to see Tom Brady go weird, and seemingly get Garoppolo traded.  To see Gronk looking mortal, and more interested in retirement and the WWE, than preventing miracle game loosing touchdowns.  Sure-handed Julian Edleman is dropping passes.  It looks like the Patriots are slipping, from the D to the QB, the special teams to the coach.

However, right now there is an opportunity Belichick has been looking for.  For the first time since 2003, the Patriots will be overlooked in the playoffs.  Some are saying they might not even make the playoffs.  This is despite the AFC East standings, which show the Dolphins two games back with two to play.

Bulletin board material has materialized, and Belichick will put it to maximum use.  Need to break through to an aloof Brady, an unmotivated Gronk, a shaky kicker, or struggling D?  No problem.

The Road Ahead

Currently the Patriots sit at 9-5.  That leaves them fourth in the conference. But what was true yesterday is true today.  The Patriots have the Jets and Bills left.  The Texans, who sit in third at 10-4, have the Eagles and Jaguars.  The Patriots hold the tie-breaker over Houston.  The Patriots are entirely capable of going 2-0 and ending at 11-5.  The Texans are entirely capable of going 1-1, and ending at 11-5.

Because the two top teams in the league, the Chiefs and Chargers, are in the same division, whichever ends with a worse record is the five seed.  Divisional winners go one through four.

With bulletin board material at his back, Belichick could be looking at the Number 2 seed.  He could also be looking a Divisional round game at home, then on to KC in the AFC Championship game.  Win that one, and the Patriots are back in the Super Bowl.

Belichick just got his secret weapon back.  The rest of the league will see it soon enough.

Follow on Twitter @BostonsportSAHD

Patriots-Dolphins Preview

Leave a reply

The Dolphins’ Home Field Advantage

The way this Patriots team is built and the fact that the Dolphins’ best player, Xavien Howard, is out for the game will help Josh Gordon the most. The one issue is the game is in Miami, a place that always gives New England trouble.

Playing in Miami has always been tough

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Just in the past 5 years, the team is 1-4 in Miami. Historically the Patriots have not played well at Miami Gardens. The temperature is also expected to be relatively high too which may affect the game as well. The loss in Jacksonville is an example of the heat playing a factor against New England.

Bill Belichick won’t use the weather as an excuse, but we all know since 200, the Patriots have struggled in the heat. Former Patriot Tedy Bruschi said as much on ESPN when asked about why this team struggles in Miami.

Built for Success

The Patriots right now are just built for success. They are extremely healthy, have top 10 players in many categories including one of the best cornerback duos right now. Stephon Gilmore is questionable although Is likely to play, as he flew with the team for this matchup. The Patriots should be able to come out of this with a win. Look for Sony Michel and the running backs to have a big day.

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

New England should look to set up the run game early, using all three backs. Rotating the running backs will keep them from cramping up and running out of steam from the heat. Tom Brady will be able to take advantage of the injury riddled Dolphins. The running game will set up  play action passes, and more defenders in the box.

Patriots-Dolphins Prediction

The Patriots come in as heavy favorites despite recent history, and I don’t think it will be a blowout. Miami has played well at home this year, at 6-6 they will be looking for revenge from week 4. The rash of injuries to this Dolphins team, along with New England coming in almost at 100% will be the difference today. Not the heat.

The Patriots are really starting to look better on offense, defense and are only missing one player. The Patriots will win the AFC East again today, for the 10th year in a row. The players will get up for this “hat and T-shirt game” as they continue to try and get that number one seed.

(Patriots 28 Miami 17)

Tom Brady Will Miss Danny Amendola (@steveA1127)

Leave a reply

The Patriots Will Be Missing An Offensive  Weapon

Via Clutch Points

With training camp starting a week from today we’ll get our first look at the Patriots on the practice field. It’s been an interesting offseason and a very quiet month in Foxborough. No Day’s Off turned into taking the last two days of OTA’s off and we’ll see everyone on July 26th.

Tom Brady though could have a difficult time to begin the season. With Julian Edelman out the first four games, Brady will be missing his other weapon, Danny Amendola. Amendola took more money and went to the Miami Dolphins this offseason.

Danny Amendola Will Be Missed

Now it will be up to Chris Hogan and Malcolm Mitchell to take that role. In the AFC Championship game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Danny Amendola had a great game. If he’s not on the team the Patriots don’t go to the Super Bowl. That is where he got the nickname Danny “Playoff” Amendola. The Patriots will miss Amendola when it matters the most. Last postseason, Amendola led the league in yards per receptions and first downs. That is an amazing stat and one that will come back to haunt the Patriots in the playoffs this year.

Danny Amendola didn’t think the money was right for him, which is why he decided to go to the Miami Dolphins. With Belichick in rebuilding mode and trying to give Josh McDaniels a decent team when he takes over next season, Belichick almost cleaned house this offseason. Malcolm Butler, Dion Lewis, Nate Solder, and Danny Amendola are all gone. Danny Amendola became a household name in New England and won two Super Bowls.

Tom’s Frustration

Tom Brady can’t be happy, which is probably why there is some tension. First Belichick doesn’t play Butler in the Super Bowl, so Brady is forced to win the game on the offensive side of the ball. Secondly, his offensive lineman Nate Solder goes to the New York Giants. Who knows how many times Brady will be sacked now. He loses his running back Dion Lewis. Finally he losses Danny Amendola who was clutch in the playoffs. This may not be a factor but if Edelman is out in a playoff game, everyone in New England will be missing Danny Amendola.

Danny Amendola: “Patriots’ Offer Wasn’t Even Close”

Leave a reply

Danny Amendola Speaks About Leaving the Patriots

Via Boston HeraldMike Reiss had a one-on-one exclusive with former Patriot Danny Amendola. In the interview Amendola stated how playing for Bill Belichick is hard, and also the Patriots’ offer wasn’t even close. Last season, Danny Amendola was Tom Brady’s go-to receiver because Julian Edelman was out for the season. Danny was really a great factor in the playoffs, getting the nickname Danny ‘Playoff’ Amendola. In the interview, Amendola also talked about the Malcolm Butler being benched in the Super Bowl. Amendola and the rest of the team thinks Butler’s presence would’ve changed the outcome of the game.

Amendola’s words to Mike Reiss were starting with talking about his contract. “When free agency broke, I came to the realization that he wasn’t going to really come close to any of the other offers I had. I had to make a decision for my family and go down to Miami and continue my career there.” Amendola signed a two-year, $12 million deal. That includes an $8.25 million in bonuses and guarantees. It’s also not easy playing for Belichick who learned from Bill Parcells.

Bill Belichick Can Be an A-hole

Via Clutch PointsAmendola said “It’s not easy, that’s for sure. He’s an a–h— sometimes. There were a lot of things I didn’t like about playing for him, but I must say, the things I didn’t like were all in regards to getting the team better, and I respected him. I didn’t like practicing in the snow, I didn’t like practicing in the rain, but that was going to make us a better football team and that was going to make me a better football player. It wasn’t easy, and he’d be the first to admit, at the [Super Bowl] ring ceremony, that it wasn’t easy playing for him. The silver lining was that we were at the ring ceremony.”

The Malcolm Butler Benching Didn’t Sit Well with the Players

Via SI.comThe take about Malcolm Butler from Amendola is pretty much what every player on that team is thinking. Nobody liked the benching. Amendola said “Yeah, I did, honestly. Nobody really got an explanation for it. He’s a brother of ours. He was a brother of ours that year. And I hate to see a guy who worked so hard throughout the season not get a chance to play in the biggest game of the year and really get no explanation for it. With that said, I don’t know how the business aspect went into that decision. I don’t know how the personal aspect went into that decision between him and Bill. But as a friend, I would have loved to see him on the field that day.”

So there you have it. Players are upset Butler didn’t play in the most important game of the season. If Butler didn’t miss the team plane and had a good week in practice, he would’ve played.

All in all what Amendola said about Belichick is accurate. He runs a tight ship and wants his players to follow. You don’t like the rules in his mind you can leave and go to a 4-12 team. Meanwhile, he’s got championships to back up his toughness.

Grading the Patriots’ Offseason so Far

Leave a reply

It’s for certain that the Patriots are cleaning house at One Patriot Place. The Patriots have cut ties with Danny Amendola, Dion Lewis, Nate Solder, and Malcolm Butler. It’s fun to speculate at how this offseason is different from previous years. Last year they made a lot more moves, and really who worked out? Brandin Cooks wasn’t great, Kony Ealy was a bust and so was Dwyane Allen. Right now the Patriots have less talent now than they did in the Super Bowl. All they have right now are players from the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.

Amendola Looks Depressed

Via Twitter

I saw the video of Amendola trying to pump up the Miami crowd. He looked like a kid that didn’t get what they wanted. Amendola left on his own because he wanted to be free from Belichick. If things were different in Foxborough maybe he would’ve stayed in New England. Malcolm Butler was forced out as well, which was obvious. Solder was offered the same amount of money from the Patriots he was with the Giants, and he chose the Giants for a different environment.

Brady All About His Brand

Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s look at what Tom Brady has thinking about. He’s really has been making his rounds this past week, with his media tours and selling his brand. Also, he doesn’t feel appreciated by Belichick. A lot of other prominent players agree. In the first episode of Tom VS. Time, Brady said that he puts everything into playing football, and how he makes sure he’s prepared. Brady in the final episode, however, talked about more of his family and being there for them. Even Gisele said he’s been through a lot these last few years with not only Deflate-Gate but with Garoppolo creeping up behind him too. It just seems Brady, now that he’s going to be 41 and doesn’t feel like he’s having a good time anymore, might be eyeing his last days playing football.

What’s in Store for the Future for the Patriots?

Via GoogleHowever if I’m Belichick, I’m not happy because I was just forced to trade the next guy in Garoppolo. To keep Brady for three more years. The contract with Brady is still up in the air and seems Brady is giving Belichick a hard time about it. So far I give the Patriots offseason a C.

 

Danny Amendola is a Miami Dolphin

Leave a reply

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 27: Danny Amendola #80 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 27, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Danny Amendola is now a Miami Dolphin. All the loyalty to the Patriots was just all talk and at the end the NFL is a business. Amendola will sign a two year deal worth $8.25 million and $12 million with incentives. Danny Amendola really played great in the playoffs. He got the nickname Danny ‘Playoff’ Amendola because of his clutch performance when the games mattered the most. The Dolphins just traded Jarvis Landry to the Cleveland Browns to make up for it. Why not get Amendola?

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Danny Amendola #80 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Amendola played in 69 of 80 regular season games with the Patriots. In 13 playoff games Amendola scored six touchdowns. In the playoffs Amendola had 709 yards. This does hurt the Patriots’ offense though. The Patriots have Julian Edelman coming off an injury, and who knows how long he will be back to normal. We still don’t know if Rob Gronkowski is playing for the Patriots next season or retiring. The Amendola loss is pretty big as he was Brady’s target this season. The top receivers right now on the Patriots are Chris Hogan, and Brandin Cooks. Also they have Malcolm Mitchell coming back.

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Danny Amendola #80 and Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots warm up before Super Bowl 51 against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Amendola told Bryant University at the end of February “I’m a free agent this year, so let’s say—the unknown. We’ll see what happens. I definitely want to be here. To tell you the truth, I don’t want to leave. But it’s a business. I’ve learned that.” Clearly a business choice for Amendola his loyalty to the Patriots was not making him stay there. He wanted to be there but wanted to make more money somewhere else. He knows the Patriots are cheap and will do anything to make more money. With Amendola making a business decision, the Patriots will now have to look at adding a receiver for next season. The Dolphins will never beat the Patriots in the division though.

What to Do with the Patriots Free Agents

Leave a reply

This upcoming offseason promises a lot of change for the New England Patriots. Several key players are headed to hit free agency, and New England needs to make the right moves to stay competitive moving forward. Sixteen players from the 2017 team will enter the offseason unsigned. Here’s what to do with the Patriots free agents.

What to Do With the Patriots Free Agents

Nate Solder

Image result for nate solder

New England should do everything they can to keep their left tackle around

Image credit: USA Today

He may not be an All-Pro, but Solder is one of the most important pieces to this offense. Solder joined the Patriots as a first round pick in 2011, and has called New England his home ever since. He spent his rookie year at right tackle before switching to left tackle after longtime lineman Matt Light retired. Since then, Solder has established himself as one of the top 10-15 left tackles in football.

There will be a market for Solder, but it would come as a surprise to see him leave. Quality starting tackles are incredibly hard to come by in the league, and head coach Bill Belichick knows that. Factor in quarterback Tom Brady’s age, and it’s now more important than ever to ensure Brady receives as little punishment as possible.

Additionally, Solder has always appeared to love New England. He passed up his previous chance at free agency to sign a two-year extension for below market value. Expect him to return once again, but this time he’ll receive a paycheck in line with his worth. A three-year deal worth roughly $11.5-12 million a year would likely keep Solder around.

Malcolm Butler

It would be great to get Butler back, but that isn’t going to happen. Butler has been a great cornerback in his four years with the Patriots, but will most definitely be playing somewhere else next season.

It will be fascinating to see what type of market emerges for Butler. The one-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler didn’t have his best season in 2017. Combine the down year with being benched in the Super Bowl, and teams will likely be afraid to invest heavily in the West Alabama product. Ironically, his value has probably dropped enough that the Patriots could afford him, if they wanted to.

Unfortunately, the Patriots won’t offer him anything, and Butler wouldn’t take the offer if they did. Super Bowl 52 was an unceremonious end for a Patriots legend, but it was definitely the end. Expect Butler to sign a one-year deal with any of the other 31 teams and to hit free agency again next year.

Dion Lewis

Image result for dion lewis

This type of hard-nosed running will earn Lewis a big payday

Image credit: USA Today

While Butler had a disappointing 2017, Lewis had a career year. After starting the season at the bottom of the depth chart, Lewis became the lead back after just five games. His 2016 season was average, but Lewis showed in 2017 that he was completely recovered from his 2015 ACL tear.

Lewis was genuinely one of the best all-around backs in football this last season, and he’s hitting free agency at the perfect time. Health has always been an issue for him, but he managed to play in all 19 games in 2017. After initially coming to the Patriots on a futures contract in late 2015, Lewis is finally set to get a big payday.

Unfortunately, that payday probably won’t be coming from New England. The Patriots have never been known to invest heavily in their running backs, and Lewis likely played his way out of New England’s price range. It’s easy to see a team like the Oakland Raiders banking on Lewis staying healthy and giving him a multi-year deal for roughly $6-7 million a year.

Rex Burkhead

Burkhead just finished his first year in New England after signing a one-year deal the previous offseason. He did that knowing that the Patriots offense was a perfect fit for his skill set. The plan was to spend one year with the Patriots, then enter free agency with a vastly improved market.

Unfortunately for Burkhead, Dion Lewis happened. Lewis stole Burkhead’s spotlight, and Burkhead enters the 2018 offseason without the market he anticipated. This actually works out well for the Patriots. Burkhead suffered some injuries, but played very well when he was on the field. He showed great ability in both the pass and run game, scoring a combined eight touchdowns in ten games.

With Lewis likely gone, the Patriots need running backs and Burkhead needs a home. Another one-year deal makes perfect sense for both sides. The Patriots get their guy for 2018, and Burkhead has another chance to cash in during free agency.

Matthew Slater

Slater will remain in New England until he hangs up his cleats for good. The longtime Patriot has found a home in New England as the heart and soul of the team. Injuries have limited him in recent years, but Slater remains the best all-around special teamer in the league.

Bill Belichick loves Slater, and there’s no doubt that his career will end in a Patriot jersey. Nobody values special teams as much as the Patriots, so Slater brings more value to the Patriots than he would to any other franchise. He’ll stick around.

Danny Amendola

Image result for danny amendola catch

Danny Amendola always comes up with the biggest plays in the biggest moments

Image credit: Boston Herald

Amendola won’t be playing for any team other than the Patriots in 2018. Amendola’s coming off yet another fantastic postseason run, hauling in 26 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns. He doesn’t put up the same regular season numbers as someone like Julian Edelman, but he’s always there when the Patriots need a big play.

Amendola brings more value to the Patriots than he would any other franchise due to his phenomenal chemistry with Brady. However, the Patriots would still likely retain Amendola’s services if an unlikely bidding war broke out for him. Amendola calls New England his home, and has taken pay cuts the past three seasons in order to stay with the team.

The only plausible way Amendola would have left is if Josh McDaniels had departed for the Indianapolis Colts. However, since the longtime offensive coordinator stayed in New England, Amendola is sure to stay as well. Age and injuries are a factor with Amendola, but expect the Patriots to make a two-year offer to the longtime Patriot.

Marquis Flowers

The Patriots should resign Flowers yesterday. Flowers came over from the Cincinnati Bengals for a seventh round pick. Initially acquired as a special teamer, Flowers didn’t make a defensive impact until injuries struck late in the season. Once he was on the field, he showed why he shouldn’t be taken off.

Flowers put all his raw athleticism together to become one of the Patriots best defenders down the stretch. After not recording a single sack through his first two and a half seasons, Flowers recorded 3.5 in the final two weeks of the regular season. He showed great promise as a pass rusher and played above expectations across the board. His ceiling isn’t as high as former Patriot Jamie Collins, but he has a similar skill set.

Flowers saw playing time throughout the playoffs, and the team would love to have him back. Judging from Flowers’ twitter feed, he likes it in New England too. He’s credited the New England coaching staff for slowing down the game and helping him transform into more than just a special teamer. Look for the Patriots to resign him to a two or three year deal. Watching him bolt for Matt Patricia’s Lions wouldn’t be a surprise either.

Cameron Fleming/LaAdrian Waddle

This is kind of cheating, but these two can be lumped together since their situations are so similar. Both players have gone back and forth as the top backup at tackle. Due to injuries to the starting tackles, both have seen extensive time on the field filling in at both tackle positions. And now, both tackles are hitting free agency at the same time.

While you’d never want either to be your starter for a 16-game season, both have shown that they’re capable of playing adequate football when needed. As mentioned earlier, this free agency class has no depth at tackle beyond Solder. When factoring in a poor draft class at tackle, these two could be in line to get overpaid.

What the Patriots do with these two depends on how the Patriots value the talent they already have. Tackle Andrew Jelks missed all of last season, but should be making his return next season. Undrafted rookie Cole Croston was the primary backup along the entire line in 2017. When Marcus Cannon and one of Fleming/Waddle were injured, he would have been the next guy off the bench.

Frankly, none of the depth options are too reliable. New England probably won’t be able to retain both players, but they should try to bring back one. Fleming’s market is probably lower than Waddle’s, so the Patriots will most likely try to bring Fleming back on a short deal for high backup money.

Ricky Jean Francois

Jean Francois has definitely earned a ticket back to training camp, if nothing else. Jean Francois was picked up off waivers prior to New England’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. He was cut two weeks later, but came back for New England’s Week 14 game against Miami.

He didn’t set the world on fire, but he performed above what’s expected from the waiver wire. Jean Francois became the void filling run stuffer that Alan Branch failed to be. His market is basically non-existent, as a veterans minimum contract would probably be enough to sign him. If any other team were interested in the longtime veteran, they would have claimed him either time he went on waivers.

James Harrison

Another midseason acquisition, Harrison made even more of an impact than Jean Francois and was a big part of fixing the defense enough to go to the Super Bowl. The Patriots edge defenders struggled setting the edge against run plays all season until Harrison showed up.

He’s not the same player that won Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, but he showed there’s still something left in his tank. Harrison was more than capable of setting the edge against the run, and was a big reason for the run defenses improvement in the road up to the Super Bowl. He still showed the ability to get to the quarterback, and was one of the Patriots best defensive players in the Super Bowl. Admittedly, that’s not saying much, but it’s still true.

The biggest knack against Harrison is his age. He’ll be 40 at the start of next year, and the Patriots defense needs to get younger, not older. If the Patriots do bring Harrison back, it would be at the veteran’s minimum. Regardless of what they do with him, look for the Patriots to acquire some more help on the edge.

Special Teamers

Several members of the special teams unit are set to hit free agency. Nate Ebner, Johnson Bademosi, Brandon Bolden, Brandon King, and Bernard Reedy are all scheduled to test the open market this offseason.

The biggest priorities for New England will probably be Ebner and Bolden. Both are the longest tenured members of the Patriots special teams, and both play the biggest roles. Ebner is coming off a season-ending injury, but he’s expected to be fully recovered for the 2018 season. Nate Ebner’s importance to the special teams is second only to Slater, and Belichick won’t let him get out of Foxboro.

Bolden, while not on Ebner or Slater’s level, is still a big member of the special teams unit. While his best role is on special teams, he’s also a competent backup for the running backs. A jack of all trades and master of none, Bolden has filled in as the early down back, goal line back, and third down back during his tenure in New England. He’s one of the more underappreciated Patriots, and Belichick will surely sign him back.

Bademosi and King will both likely be back due to lack of market interest. Both have performed well on special teams, but not so well as to draw attention from other teams. While King is a linebacker in name only, Bademosi actually does offer some upside as a cornerback. He just shouldn’t be playing ahead of Malcolm Butler. As for Reedy, he’ll probably earn a training camp invite, but it would be astonishing to see him make the final roster.

 

Cover image courtesy of USA Today.