The Patriots Whiffed On the Danny Amendola Sweepstakes
Sorry Patriots fans, but a reunion with wide receiver Danny Amendola will not be happening. There seemed to be a chance at a reunion after Amendola was released by the Miami Dolphins on Friday.
Dolphins release WR Danny Amendola. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/iLKwPcQsk7
— NFL (@NFL) March 8, 2019
After his release from the Dolphins, there were rumors that Amendola and the Patriots had mutual interest to bring the wide receiver back to Foxborough.
There’s mutual interest between Danny Amendola and the Patriots, per sources. We’ll see if it amounts to a reunion or not, but the possibility exists.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 11, 2019
Well…that dream is dead as Danny Amendola has signed a one year deal with the Detroit Lions.
The #Lions plan to sign former #Patriots and #Dolphins WR Danny Amendola to a 1-year deal that includes $4.5M guaranteed base, source said. With incentives, that can bring him to $5.75M. Great addition to the locker room.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
This signing means a few things.
The Lions Are Becoming The Patriots
Not really, but the Lions have had several Patriots personnel join them in the Motor City. Matt Patricia was the Patriots long time defensive coordinator, now he’s the Lions head coach. LeGarrette Blount and Ricky Jean Francois were other names the Patriots had for awhile…they are now Lions as well. Now, Danny Amendola is joining them too. It has to make you think that maybe Matt Patricia is trying to bring the Patriots winning ways over to Detroit…literally!
The Detroit Patriots… https://t.co/zhtBAT6F4i
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2019
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Amendola already knows a few teammates plus Patricia and GM Bob Quinn.
The Patriots Interest Was Not Huge In Significance
The Patriots said to have mutual interest in Amendola. But, was that really the case? I don’t know, it just seems like whenever the Patriots want somebody; they go out and get the player by any means necessary. So to me, this is a case where the Patriots were comfortable with letting Amendola go elsewhere.
In Conclusion
I’m not heartbroken about this and neither should Patriots fans. Would it have been cool to have Amendola back? Absolutely. Do the Patriots need him back in the fold? Absolutely NOT. They won without Amendola this past season and they can do it again in 2019. The reunion would have been cool, but in Bill Belichick we trust. For anybody missing Amendola, here is a song by Ian Biggs to commemorate everything he did in a Patriots uniform.
Thank you always for the memories, Danny. Good luck in Detroit.
-Alan Nahigian (BigAl2793)