Tag: Danny Amendola

Re-signing Danny Amendola, deep draft class gives Lions options at WR

Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola are the only WRs on the Lions roster, and all have contracts ending after 2020

The Detroit Lions helped fill their gaping hole at wide receiver by re-signing pending free agent Danny Amendola over the weekend. Bringing back the talented, productive slot receiver for another year means Matthew Stafford will have his top three targets from his stellar 2019 start back on the field in 2020.

In Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Amendola, the Lions have a formidable trio. However, those are currently the only three healthy wideouts on the team’s roster — and all are in the final year of their contracts. There is still a need for the Lions at wide receiver, it’s just not as immediate.

Thankfully, this is a ridiculously stacked draft class at WR. Don’t just take my word for it though. From NFL.com analyst and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah in his pre-combine conference call.

“I’ve got 27 wide receivers with top 3-round grades in this draft,” Jeremiah stated enthusiastically. “And consider average 31 are taken. We had a max of 35 taken in, I believe that was in 2017. So this is a really phenomenal group of wideouts. Not all those guys are going to go early. They’ll end up spreading throughout the draft. But it’s really a good group.”

It’s a similar state to when the Lions drafted Golladay in the third round in 2017. At that point, the team had Jones, Golden Tate and T.J. Jones as the entire receiving corps. Tate and T.J. Jones were gone by the middle of 2018. The same thing could happen again, which is why it’s critically important for the Lions to tap into the deep well of prospects at the position in the 2020 NFL Draft.

That doesn’t mean Jerry Jeudy in the first round, though the Alabama standout is worthy of strong consideration at No. 3 overall. It could mean Penn State’s K.J. Hamler or Clemson’s Tee Higgins in the second. It might mean Ohio State do-it-all K.J. Hill or Florida’s Van (son of ex-Lions WR Shawn) Jefferson in the third. Perhaps it’s Senior Bowl revelation Quartney Davis from Texas A&M or slick Texas Longhorns slot man Devin Duvernay on Day 3.

Options. They are aplenty at WR in the 2020 NFL Draft. The journey to sort out those option for the Detroit Lions continues this week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis.

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Bob Quinn anticipating more roster moves over the next few weeks

Over the last 72 hours, the Detroit Lions have been connected to a few roster moves, but more moves are expected to happen over the next few weeks.

So far this offseason, it’s been relatively quiet in Allen Park when it comes to negotiating with players on expired contracts. But over the last 72 hours, we’ve started to see some movement.

On Thursday, it was reported that Damon Harrison and the Lions will mutually part ways, as it was announced that Harrison would not be back, and yesterday, it was reported that the Lions would be re-signing WR Danny Amendola to a one-year deal.

The Lions have yet to announce either move, but the players and their agents have confirmed these decisions.

As it stands right now, the Lions have 66 players on their roster, but over the next two months — after free agency and the draft — the roster will contain 90 players entering Spring mini-camp.

“We are talking to a lot of agents of our current guys, but I think there’s a little bit of a stall because of the uncertainty of the CBA,” Lions general manager Bob Quinn replied to Tori Petry when asked about contract negotiations with players that are about to hit free agency. “With a new CBA, a lot of things can change in terms of how you can structure things.”

Quinn assured the Lions fans that while the franchise may seem quiet, that is certainly not the case behind the scenes, saying “we are having a lot of good conversations, but nothing has really passed the finish line yet, but we are hoping to get a few things done in the next week or so.”

As par for the course, there is as a level of uncertainty when it comes to negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement as owners and players must both agree to terms. Devon Kennard is the player rep for the Detroit Lions and recently spoke about wanting more discussion.

To watch Quinn answer directly about contractual negotiations, start the video below at the 3:22 mark.

Report: Lions are re-signing Danny Amendola to a 1-year contract

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager is reporting that the Detroit Lions are re-signing slot receiver Danny Amendola to a 1-year contract.

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager is reporting that the Detroit Lions are re-signing slot receiver Danny Amendola to a 1-year contract.

Even with a new CBA deal in flux, general manager Bob Quinn mentioned in a recent interview that he was having conversations with potential Lions free agents, “hoping to have a few things done in the next week or so”, and this appears to be one of those moves.

Amendola, who turned 34 years old last November, is coming off the second-best statistical season of his career with 62 receptions for 678 yards (11 yards shy of his career-high), a touchdown reception, one passing attempt, one completion for 19-yards and a passing touchdown.

Amendola provides the Lions with a much-needed veteran presence, a returning starter in the slot, and softens the need for an immediate contributor at the wide receiver position.

Longterm, no Lions’ wide receiver is currently signed beyond the 2020 season, and therefore the need still persists. With a loaded draft class at the position, this shouldn’t eliminate the Lions from still attempting to acquire a top-end talent that will be a capable contributor beyond this season.

Re-signing Amendola is a big piece to the Lions offseason puzzle and fills arguably one of the top-5 needs on this roster for the upcoming season.

A reunion for the ages? Time for the Patriots to bring back Danny Amendola

Danny Amendola will be a free agent. The Patriots need help at receiver. What’s not to like about a reunion?

So a squirrel and a goat walk into a bar to meet some guy named Dola…

Let’s just skip to the part where Julian Edelman, Tom Brady and Danny Amendola go on to wipe the floor with the rest of the AFC.

That’s typically what happens when the trio is on the field together. The perfectly-timed routes, instinctive decisions and near impeccable chemistry—it’s like poetry in motion.

There’s no better way of convincing Brady to finish his career in New England than showing a sign of good faith by bringing back one of his favorite slot receiving targets. After the signing, both Edelman and Amendola can commence to standing outside of Brady’s window holding a pair of Boomboxes over their heads with Player’s “Baby Come Back” cranked to the max.

Brady doesn’t need track stars at receiver.

People are so enamored with the explosive playmakers available to quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs offense that they expect the Patriots to suddenly follow the same blueprint. Yet, Brady isn’t running around and dodging defenders like Neo in “The Matrix” in an effort to take the top off a defense. Those Randy Moss days are long gone for the 42-year-old quarterback.

A veteran receiver with a deep understanding of the Patriots offense and extraordinary route-running mechanics would be the perfect plug-and-play piece in New England. The common theme throughout the 2019 season was the lack of trust Brady had in his receivers. Is there any doubt of him jumping at an opportunity to win another Super Bowl with a familiar face?

They don’t call him “Playoff Amendola” for nothing.

Even if Amendola returns, the Patriots clearly still have more work on the offensive side of the ball. Retooling at tight end, addressing questions on the offensive line and adding another veteran outside receiver should be at the top of the team’s to-do list in the offseason.

But Amendola would offer them a low-budget option that would benefit the team and appease Brady right away. His presence on the field would also take some of the pressure off Edelman, who is probably in an ice bath somewhere still recovering from the punishment he took over the course of the previous season.

An argument could be made that Amendola never should have New England in the first place.

After receiving what he believed to be a low-ball offer from coach Bill Belichick, he opted to sign for more money to play for the Miami Dolphins. After being released one year into his two-year deal, he rejoined former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia by signing with the Detroit Lions on a one-year contract.

Some are quick to point to the fact that he turns 35 this year, but age didn’t stop him from racking up 62 receptions for 678 yards for a team that lost their starting quarterback halfway into the 2019 season.

It would seem as if the Benjamin Button disease isn’t only reserved for quarterbacks.

The two sides should be able to come to an agreement that would allow Amendola to close out his career as a Patriot, while also saving enough money to make other important roster moves. When times get tough, sometimes it’s best to simply go back to what you know.

Few receivers in franchise history, if any, have made as many clutch plays in championship moments as Edelman and Amendola. Reuniting the pair would be a significant upgrade over last season, along with serving as a potential spark in the inevitable negotiation talks that would hopefully keep Brady in New England.

2020 NFL Free Agency: Is Danny Amendola the best the Lions have to offer?

The New Orleans Saints will take a hard look at potential upgrades at wide receiver, and Detroit Lions slot receiver Danny Amendola may fit.

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The New Orleans Saints are hard at work in drawing up their offseason strategy, and we’re following along with a daily survey of every NFL team’s pending free agents. This series will take us right up to the beginning of unrestricted free agency’s legal tampering period and help give a better idea of which players may be on the market, as well as which teams will be contending for the Saints in checking off their roster needs. Next up is the Detroit Lions. Here’s who may be available in March:

  • WR Danny Amendola
  • DT Mike Daniels
  • SS Tavon Wilson
  • P Sam Martin
  • CB Rashaan Melvin
  • WR Jermaine Kearse
  • DT A’Shawn Robinson
  • T Oday Aboushi
  • LS Don Muhlbach
  • TE Logan Thomas
  • G Graham Glasgow
  • S Miles Killebrew
  • QB Jeff Driskel
  • DT Darius Kilgo
  • DE Jamie Meder
  • CB Michael Ford (ERFA)
  • CB Dee Virgin (ERFA)
  • RB J.D. McKissic (RFA)

It wouldn’t be a shock if the Saints explore the free agency market and end up leaving it with Danny Amendola, or someone much like him. His skills set is what the Saints offense is lacking; they have the superstar in Michael Thomas, the speedy flankers in Tre’Quan Smith and Deonte Harris, and the big slot specialists in Keith Kirkwood and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, but they lack a fleet-footed run-after-catch threat (think Willie Snead or Lance Moore). Amendola isn’t the best candidate for that job (Randall Cobb probably is), but he could be the most cost-effective.

Fortunately, there are other pending free agents from Detroit that the Saints can consider. Graham Glasgow is one of the better guards expected to be available, having played well but apparently clashed with Matt Patricia’s coaching staff, and earned a spot in the doghouse for his troubles. It’s unclear how the going rate for guards will shake out this summer, but Glasgow would likely be a welcome upgrade in New Orleans after too much exposure to Andrus Peat.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Saints approach their second year with Darren Rizzi coaching the special teams units. His squad saw a lot of turnover during the season and could continue to churn new pieces into the coverage teams, with veterans like Johnson Bademosi and Stephone Anthony headed for free agency; two of the best Saints special teamers, J.T. Gray (a second-team All-Pro) and Justin Hardee, currently have exclusive-rights free agent and restricted free agent status. If more change is coming, look out for Lions safety Miles Killebrew to get a look. He ranked second in Detroit in special teams snaps played (351) and could be a big addition in New Orleans at a modest price.

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Lions WRs were feast or famine on TD receptions in 2019

Kenny Golladay feasted while Danny Amendola starved in the end zone

The Detroit Lions had one receiver who feasted on the NFL in touchdown catches, but another who starved to make the end zone in 2019.

No NFL wide receiver had a higher percentage of receptions that resulted in touchdowns than Kenny Golladay. His 11 receiving TDs (on 65 receptions) led the NFL, too.

Only one receiver had a worse TD percentage among those with enough qualifying receptions (36) than Golladay’s teammate, Danny Amendola.

Here’s the kicker: Amendola scored his one touchdown reception on the season before Golladay caught any of his 11. It came in the Week 1 tie with Arizona, on the veteran slot receiver’s second catch of the season. Amendola caught 60 more without scoring on any of them.

6 free agent WRs the Lions should explore signing

The Lions are painfully thin at WR. Free agency can help.

The Detroit Lions are in dire need of wide receiver help for the offense. With Marvin Jones coming off a second consecutive season-ending knee injury and in the final year of his contract, Danny Amendola and Jermaine Kearse both free agents no longer on the roster and practice squad refugees Marvin Hall, Chris Lacy and Travis Fulgham the depth behind Jones and deserving Pro Bowler Kenny Golladay, the Lions would have a hard time filling out a formation with more than two WRs.

Free agency is a good place to find some help. While it’s not a great free agent class at WR, there are several who can step right in and help the needy Lions offense.

Here are six the Lions should at least consider signing once free agency opens up in March.

Emmanuel Sanders, 49ers

2019 stats: 66 receptions, 869 yards, 5 TDs

Sanders quickly rebounded from an Achilles injury to emerge as the best receiving weapon for a team that made the Super Bowl. He’s a one-year bandage in the slot, but Sanders still offers speed, hands and an infectiously positive attitude. At 33, he’s a proven commodity in a variety of different offenses, showing he adapts quickly.

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5 wide receivers Patriots should consider in free agency

The addition of any of these targets would help New England retain Tom Brady.

Tom Brady needs weapons if the New England Patriots are going keep him around. It’s as simple as that.

More specifically, he needs reliable pass catchers who can get on the same page as him while having an innate ability to create separation. Brady’s time of molding and making receivers better is abruptly coming to an end, so he needs veterans that can contribute on a championship level.

Drafting receivers can be hit or miss and it’s clear that New England must land one or two free agents who can make an immediate impact. The list of free agents is slim this offseason, so the Patriots must be aggressive to land one or two high-performing players.

Here’s a list of five free agents the Patriots should consider.

A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals

(Photo by Timothy Ludwig/Getty Images)

A.J. Green, 31, is the most explosive receiver to hit free agency this year — if healthy. The 6-foot-4, 210 pound receiver has played his eight NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and was nothing short of a dominant force while on the field.

Aside from 2018 where Green’s season was cut to nine games due to an ankle injury, he’s recorded over 1,000 yards every year except for one — and he still recorded 964. He’s totaled 602 catches, 8,907 yards and 63 touchdowns in his career while averaging 80.2 yards per game.

Cincinnati finished 2-14 last season and there’s a general idea that Green wants to play for a contender at this point in his career. There was speculation the Patriots would trade for him during the 2019 season, but instead they made a move for Mohamed Sanu. New England needs weapons and the addition of Green could be enticing enough to bring Brady back for 2020.

There is a higher risk for injury, but the Patriots could use that as leverage to conjure up a team-friendly contract. Green joining New England would make sense for both parties and it’d likely be short-term deal with a Super Bowl or bust mentality.

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Julian Edelman previews commercial he’s featured in ahead of Super Bowl LIV

Julian Edelman won’t be playing in SBLIV, but he’ll still make an appearance on screens across the country. 

Julian Edelman won’t be playing in Super Bowl LIV, but he’ll still make an appearance on screens across the country.

He shared an Instagram post on Thursday, previewing a commercial that will be aired right before kickoff.

He even alludes to the idea that his close friend and former New England Patriot Danny Amendola will make an appearance in the commercial.

View this post on Instagram

On set. 🕶🏝

A post shared by Julian Edelman (@edelman11) on

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Danny Amendola weighs in on Tom Brady’s pending free-agency decision

“I’m holding on just like everybody else is.”

It’s time for everyone who knows Tom Brady to speculate about the New England Patriots quarterback’s future. He has given zero indication about whether he’s going to return to his team of 20 years or whether he’ll test the market when free agency opens in March.

In the meantime, the NFL world will spend the absent time wondering what Brady will do. So when Danny Amendola, a Detriot Lions receiver and one of Brady’s good friends, appeared on ESPN, he fielded questions about Brady’s impending decision.

“It’s going to go however he wants, I think,” said Amendola. “He’s the ultimate competitor. I think as his kids get older — Vivi, Jack and Benny — he wants to spend more time with his family. I think that’s going to weigh heavily on his decision and where he goes, and he can set that up the way he wants. But his competitive nature, his ability is still through the roof, and whatever team gets him — if he stays in New England or if he goes somewhere else — he’s going to bring a high level of football there.”

Would he go to L.A.?

“It’s hard for me to see him in any other jersey than a Patriots jersey, so I’m holding on just like everybody else is,” Amendola said.

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