To Amendola, or not to Amendola. That is the question

[TheoShmeo]

Reiss posits that the fact that the Pats did not cut Amendola at the start of the league year means that they are leaving the door open for a restructure and keeping him as the 4th/5th WR. I think most expected that before the Cooks trade. I hope it still happens. I'm not sure how many balls he would see absent injury to one of the top four of Cooks, Edelman, Hogan and Mitchell, but (a) he's great insurance and (b) it's impossible to watch playoff highlights and Super Bowl highlights in particular and not see Tom's propensity to go to Danny in the biggest moments. Not that he doesn't trust the other three WRs; he does. But Amendola got so many key balls down the stretch in Houston and I would hate to remove him from the equation entirely.

4. Receiver Danny Amendola is scheduled to earn a base salary of $6 million in 2017, which will be reduced based on his projected role (No. 4-5 receiver) if he is going to remain on the club. The fact that Amendola wasn’t cut at the start of the 2017 league year is a good indication of how the Patriots are leaving the door open if he’d like to return at a lower salary, which would mark the third straight offseason that Amendola has accepted a reduced contract. One of the follow-up questions after the Patriots acquired Brandin Cooks in a trade from the New Orleans Saints was what that meant for Amendola, and it seems clear that the door is still open for him in New England if he wants to walk through it.

http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4801993/first-patriots-colts-trade-in-32-years-highlights-thaw-in-frosty-relations

 

[AlNipper49]

Breaking out some recent Amendola news. Figure it's worth a fresh conversation as it's been peppered across a few threads and it's one of the more interesting remaining storylines.

 

[MillarTime]

They have cap room and he's been as reliable as it gets on the biggest stages. Get it done.

 

[I am an Idiot]

In my unscientific opinion, he's a Bellhorn type player. He doesn't do diddly all year, and comes up huge when it matters.

If he's open to a reduced salary / Floyd type role, we'd be fools not to pursue it. His numbers might actually go up when he is further down the depth chart, as silly as that may seem.

 

[Stitch01]

2004 Bellhorn was a very valuable regular season player.

I'd be fine with running back 2015 and keeping Amendola on a 1.5-2mm base salary but no idea if he'd be open to it. The role available if everyone is healthy is probably game day inactive a lot of weeks barring another move with the receiving corps (seems unlikely Hogan or Edelman are moved but not 100 percent impossible I guess)

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

I agree that having him back at a reduced salary would be great but doesn't it seem that based on his late season play somebody else is going to offer him around 4-6 million or more than we would be willing to pay? At his age it would seem stupid to leave millions of dollars on the table just to stay here.

 

[Curt S Loew]

I agree that having him back at a reduced salary would be great but doesn't it seem that based on his late season play somebody else is going to offer him around 4-6 million or more than we would be willing to pay? At his age it would seem stupid to leave millions of dollars on the table just to stay here.

I don't think so. This isn't the first time he's had a late season bump. I think he comes back in a reduced salary again. He's made it clear he likes it here and is willing to take less to stay. It really is a good fit for him.

 

[BigSoxFan]

To provide some additional context, Amendola has made $19.1M in career earnings, a good chunk of which came in the first year in NE. At this point given his age, I'm not really sure that he could get much more on the open market than in New England.

 

[tims4wins]

He seems to love it in NE. He is like brothers with Edelman. I bet he is fine at playing at $2M or whatever

 

[Mystic Merlin]

In the interests of managing Edelman's health/snaps during the regular season and more generally maintain a deep WR corps, it'd be great to keep him in the fold. I agree that there's not likely to be a big market for him. If he refused to restructure, then it'd be in the hopes of getting more playing time elsewhere rather than cashing in (which he's unlikely to do).

 

[shoosh77]

There's also the aftermarket/endorsement aspect. Should he stay with the team for even 80% of what he could get on the open market, finishing his career in NE as a huge part of multiple SuperBowl winning teams means he'll be doing store/dealership openings, autograph sessions, show appearances for life.

 

[Harry Hooper]

If he comes back, does he take on an expanded return role to spare Edelman a bit?

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

I'd like to have him back if for no reason other than to have an extra guy who can catch punts and kickoffs. If Jones is going to be a good player I think they need to keep him out of that role next year to avoid tanking his confidence. He's no good at it. DBs are valuable commodities and while Patriots value flexibility, they have a draft pick investment in the guy and next year is critical. Let's get him focued on one job and get confident at it.

I've seen enough of Slater, Lewis, and White in the role, Lewis's return TD notwithstanding. Cooks had a few special teams plays as a rookie but virtually none in the last two years. Bulkhead has had a few but hardly enough to declare him the answer. It's Edelman and Amendola, and you can't assume each will be available for all 16 games.

2/6.5 or 2/7 still saves the Patriots a ton of cap space this year and seems like a good insurance policy. The only question would be if he wants more playing time. I think other teams also might question whether he really is a good receiver as opposed to a good Patriots receiver. Playing for the Patriots can be a two edged sword that way -- you get a chance to show your talent in big games but you also have teams wondering, "well, if they won't pay him why not." I think there was a recent article alluding to this point.

 

[lexrageorge]

I'd like to have him back if for no reason other than to have an extra guy who can catch punts and kickoffs. If Jones is going to be a good player I think they need to keep him out of that role next year to avoid tanking his confidence. He's no good at it. DBs are valuable commodities and while Patriots value flexibility, they have a draft pick investment in the guy and next year is critical. Let's get him focued on one job and get confident at it.

I've seen enough of Slater, Lewis, and White in the role, Lewis's return TD notwithstanding. Cooks had a few special teams plays as a rookie but virtually none in the last two years. Bulkhead has had a few but hardly enough to declare him the answer. It's Edelman and Amendola, and you can't assume each will be available for all 16 games.

2/6.5 or 2/7 still saves the Patriots a ton of cap space this year and seems like a good insurance policy. The only question would be if he wants more playing time. I think other teams also might question whether he really is a good receiver as opposed to a good Patriots receiver. Playing for the Patriots can be a two edged sword that way -- you get a chance to show your talent in big games but you also have teams wondering, "well, if they won't pay him why not." I think there was a recent article alluding to this point.

I'm not sure I buy the latter argument. Playing for the Pats didn't seem to hurt Logan Ryan or Jamie Collins or Chandler Jones. Or Shane Vereen before that. Or Blount when he was first a UFA. Or Wes Welker back in the day.

What hurts Amendola's market value is the fact he'll be 32, and he's coming off a season where he had 23 catches in the regular season.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

If Amendola signs, the Pats would have 5 WRs (Amendola, Cooks, Edelman, Hogan, Mitchell) -- or one more than they had on the roster any week last season. [Yes, I know Slater is technically a wide receiver, in the same way that ketchup is technically a vegetable.]

That would be one more than they carried most (and I believe any) weeks last season. So do they change the regular game day roster configuration, or is one of those regularly de-activated every week unless somebody is hurt?

 

[Al Zarilla]

Bulkhead.

Is that what Burkhead is going to spellcheck to?

Bring Danny back, Bill. Perfect Patriot when he's healthy. No whining, does his job.

 

[lambeau]

I think they want WR #5 for injury insurance. Probably Amendola.
But does Michael Floyd come to camp on a show-me contract?
He's under house arrest until June 15, misses minicamp.
I doubt anybody gives him a longterm deal without seeing him.

 

[Koufax]

Floyd seems very appealing as a #5. He's 4 years younger.

 

[Reverend]

There's also the aftermarket/endorsement aspect. Should he stay with the team for even 80% of what he could get on the open market, finishing his career in NE as a huge part of multiple SuperBowl winning teams means he'll be doing store/dealership openings, autograph sessions, show appearances for life.

Playing for the Patriots also offers certain non-monetary aftermarket perks. Winning is the obvious one, but there may be others.

In that vein, it might be worth noting that Edelman and Amendola are both dating current or former Victoria Secret models. Amendola's girlfriend is also reportedly close friends with the former Victoria Secret model who is the face of Uggs.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there is reason to believe that some of these guys might recognize that playing here gets them invited to a different kind of party. Edelman, for one, very clearly believes that a holistic measure of his quality of life in New England dwarfs what it might be/have been playing for other teams in ways that contract money doesn't fully encompass.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Is that what Burkhead is going to spellcheck to?

Bring Danny back, Bill. Perfect Patriot when he's healthy. No whining, does his job.

Ha! I think my iPad did that.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Playing for the Patriots also offers certain non-monetary aftermarket perks. Winning is the obvious one, but there may be others.

In that vein, it might be worth noting that Edelman and Amendola are both dating current or former Victoria Secret models. Amendola's girlfriend is also reportedly close friends with the former Victoria Secret model who is the face of Uggs.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there is reason to believe that some of these guys might recognize that playing here gets them invited to a different kind of party. Edelman, for one, very clearly believes that a holistic measure of his quality of life in New England dwarfs what it might be/have been playing for other teams in ways that contract money doesn't fully encompass.

Hate to break it to you but Edelman and Adriana broke up

 

[redsoxstiff]

Anticipating bill moves is a waste of time/effort. I like Amendola here...
When games wear on and the notables.are maybe having trouble to separate ...Danny comes up big...
Keep him.

 

[BigJimEd]

I think they want WR #5 for injury insurance. Probably Amendola.
But does Michael Floyd come to camp on a show-me contract?
He's under house arrest until June 15, misses minicamp.
I doubt anybody gives him a longterm deal without seeing him.

I think there are probably better places for Floyd on a show me contract.

We'll see on Amendola. If they are only going with 4 active on a week not sure how he'd feel being inactive.
Pats may decide to go younger there

 

[Ale Xander]

Regarding $, his gf is arguably the highest paid model in the world. Media mass reporting $75 m annually. Danny doesn't necessarily need the money.

Amen

 

[Hoodie Sleeves]

Like everything else - the specifics are what matter here. If they can get him to extend cheaply, in a way that doesn't prevent them from moving on if he declines, then great. If they can't, then he should be gone.

As to his girlfriend making a ton of money, for some people that would make money unimportant, for some, it doesn't. Some see it as a sign of respect, and being underpaid as a sign of disrespect. So who knows.

 

[bibajesus]

Regarding $, his gf is arguably the highest paid model in the world. Media mass reporting $75 m annually. Danny doesn't necessarily need the money.

Amen

There is a big difference between girlfriend and wife when it comes to money.

 

[Al Zarilla]

There is a big difference between girlfriend and wife when it comes to money.

Can't a Prenup shelter as much $$ as one wants to though?

 

[bibajesus]

Of course, but it has to be agreed to. I'm sure Amendola would want some assurances that he would be sharing in her wealth before he made any decisions on his future wealth. A girlfriend can leave whenever she would like with no financial responsibility to her ex.

 

[Jimbodandy]

1. Restructure Danny
2. Someone start a Cackling Hen thread for the girlfriend talk

 

[LizardReaper]

I say bring back Amendola with a pay cut. You never know who will go down in camp or during the season.

Also, try to sign Floyd to a low money deal and let all the WR's battle it out for 5 spots. Edelman is now in his final year...we need pipeline guys (Mitchell, Lucien, and maybe Floyd) and might be resigning Cook long term down the road....

 

[leetinsley38]

1. Restructure Danny
2. Someone start a Cackling Hen thread for the girlfriend talk

Well the plan was for Brady, Edelman and Amendola to all take below market deals while their super model wives bring in tens of millions, allowing BB to stretch the cap. I'd say the discussion is relevant, no?

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Well the plan was for Brady, Edelman and Amendola to all take below market deals while their super model wives bring in tens of millions, allowing BB to stretch the cap. I'd say the discussion is relevant, no?

What plan?

And none of them are married besides TB.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Well the plan was for Brady, Edelman and Amendola to all take below market deals while their super model wives bring in tens of millions, allowing BB to stretch the cap. I'd say the discussion is relevant, no?

That would depend on Edelman, and Amendola, getting married at some point, wouldn't it?

To supermodels, not to each other

 

[Marciano490]

Regarding $, his gf is arguably the highest paid model in the world. Media mass reporting $75 m annually. Danny doesn't necessarily need the money.

Amen

Olivia Culpo? No. Nor was she a Victoria's Secret model. She's a bit of a name from pageants, but she doesn't work much. I'd be surprised if she makes more than 250k a year.

 

[Ale Xander]

Oh jeez I fell for a fake news Onionesque story that came up on Google. I defer to the king of models and model earnings info. Apologies to everyone

 

[Van Everyman]

And here I was going to say that signing guys connected to über wealthy supermodels was the new market efficiency. Carry on...

 

[Marciano490]

And here I was going to say that signing guys connected to über wealthy supermodels was the new market efficiency. Carry on...

It's not a bad idea at all. Adri's VS contract alone is like $5 million. But I think she's with a Mets pitcher now, so maybe they've figured out our trick.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

It occurs to me that the fact that they haven't yet released Amendola is probably a clue that there is at least some consideration to extending/restructuring him.

It's that weird situation where a player is under contract, but it's a contract that everyone knows he can't possibly play under because of the cap implications. It gives a team the ability to hold the player hostage if it wanted to, but I have a feeling the Patriots would not do that with Amendola. There really is no upside the Patriots. If there were no discussions or possibility of discussions, I would think his agent would say, hey guys can you let me talk to other teams here? It's hard to see the Patriots saying no, unless they were giving some thought to actually having him play for $7.5 million, which strikes me as incredibly unlikely.

It could be something as innocuous as the Patriots saying, "let's see how other things shake out, give us until April," or it could be that there are active discussions or at least a plan for active discussions at some point. But the fact that the wasn't released when Cooks was traded and we haven't heard a peep about any discontent, at least makes it seem at least plausible that someone is entertaining the idea that he will be back.