But not everyone on that list should expect to put up huge number. Martin? Amendola?
Three's a Crowd? The Danny Amendola Watch
- Thread starter DJnVa
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ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk 7m7 minutes ago
Danny Amendola could indeed be out in New England http://wp.me/p14QSB-a0ue
First, the cap numbers:
@AlbertBreer Amendola's cap number is$6.87M $5.2M for '16. Bennett's is $6.3M, Edelman's is $4.8M, Gronk's is $6.7M, Hogan's is $5.5M.
Some media speculation: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/16/amendola-could-indeed-be-out-in-new-england/
I'd be all in for keeping Dola. I'm bearish on Edelman's health, foot or otherwise. Also, having three solid receiving option would be somewhat akin to 2007, where NE featured Moss, Welker, and Stallworth. Stallworth isn't mentioned often when discussing that historical year, but he was a vital cog in the machine.
@AlbertBreer Amendola's cap number is
Some media speculation: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/16/amendola-could-indeed-be-out-in-new-england/
Amendola has restructured his deal once already, so not sure if he's willing to do it again, especially in this WR crazy market.
I'd be all in for keeping Dola. I'm bearish on Edelman's health, foot or otherwise. Also, having three solid receiving option would be somewhat akin to 2007, where NE featured Moss, Welker, and Stallworth. Stallworth isn't mentioned often when discussing that historical year, but he was a vital cog in the machine.
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In a Manziel heartbeat.
His restructure last year helped a lot but it also meant cap hits of $6.87M this year and $7.87M next, with dead cap hits of only $2.7/$1.4. I don't know the exact mechanics of how they could restructure to bring those numbers down, but there's little chance IMO that they sit with those. Maybe this year. Definitely not next year.
I assume they will shop him but I'm not sure a 3/4 will be on the table. The WR market this offseason might help, but I can't see them getting much in return, probably a conditional pick or maybe a 6/7. I think you have to keep him this year, use a 2/3 on a WR and see if Dobson or Martin can step up. Short of that, bring in Boldin or Matthews.
Bennett brings a nice opportunity for mismatches, but I don't see how it works without a decent 2WR. There's certainly time to find one, but until they do I'm not sure getting rid of Amendola is the best move.
His restructure last year helped a lot but it also meant cap hits of $6.87M this year and $7.87M next, with dead cap hits of only $2.7/$1.4. I don't know the exact mechanics of how they could restructure to bring those numbers down, but there's little chance IMO that they sit with those. Maybe this year. Definitely not next year.
I assume they will shop him but I'm not sure a 3/4 will be on the table. The WR market this offseason might help, but I can't see them getting much in return, probably a conditional pick or maybe a 6/7. I think you have to keep him this year, use a 2/3 on a WR and see if Dobson or Martin can step up. Short of that, bring in Boldin or Matthews.
Bennett brings a nice opportunity for mismatches, but I don't see how it works without a decent 2WR. There's certainly time to find one, but until they do I'm not sure getting rid of Amendola is the best move.
I think Amendola would be a perfect add to the Carolina offense. But I agree that anything over a 6th would be gravy
I don't think he goes anywhere. He's too flexible. When Edelman gets hurt he can fill in, both in the slot and at PR. We have no idea what Hogan can do, but we know Amendola is a competent X receiver. We also know how smart Amendola is - calling off plays in the AFC championship game - and BB loves that type of player.
He's too expensive for what he does, but I think the Pats are OK with paying him to do the job(s) he does.
He's too expensive for what he does, but I think the Pats are OK with paying him to do the job(s) he does.
Amendola is $6.8 on the cap per Miguel and overthecap, which is an expensive luxury, but they're only saving $3.5MM of cap room if they cut him, which seems like fair value in a vacuum.
I'll guess he's here on a slightly restructured contract.
I'll guess he's here on a slightly restructured contract.
The problem is the 2017 cap. $7.86m against the cap and $6.5m savings if cut. He is very unlikely to play at that number, which I think makes him very difficult to trade. An acquiring team has to take on $5 million in salary this year and then probably cut or restructure next year. Given that Amendola is all but certain to be cut next year if he doesn't restructure, I think he might be amenable to a restructure now. But if you're the Pats, you're in good cap shape right now and you've got a few million more coming back next year for Hernandez credit. You can afford Amendola. Just sit tight now.
I sort of agree. We were desperate for WR a week ago and now what, Chris Hogan makes him expendable? I'd love a restructure but if he won't bite, I sort of think we need to deal for 2016.
They save $5.5 MM cutting him - that's the money he's due in 2016 that he wouldn't be if they cut him now. Some of his 2017 cap hit would accelerate onto the 2016 cap (if they don't designate him a post-6/1 cut), but that's just cap accounting - they're going to have to pay that money anyway. $6.8 MM seems like way too much.
What play did Amendola call off in the AFCCG? And I don't think Amendola is an X - he's pretty much strictly a slot guy.
Yeah, you're right, that's the right way to look at it, he probably needs a meaningful restructure to stay.
Probably need to address the position with more than just JAG/flier depth if they cut Amendola though, whether that's through a high draft pick or via trade for a middle-class type guy they think fits. That group as it stands now is even more vulnerable to an Edelman injury than last season.
Probably need to address the position with more than just JAG/flier depth if they cut Amendola though, whether that's through a high draft pick or via trade for a middle-class type guy they think fits. That group as it stands now is even more vulnerable to an Edelman injury than last season.
Hopefully another Amendola restructure happens. He's just perfect Edelman insurance and has been a huge part of the receiving corp ever since late in the 2014 season. Plus he's been great in the return game, which means Edelman doesn't have to return tons of punts. He's so sure handed. Add in the years of experience in the system and the Tom Brady trust he's accumulated. It would suck if he's not here going forward.
I hadn't really watched any film, but I was under the impression that, when Edelman was healthy, Amendola would either play X or flanker.
I also think my memory may be shaky on calling off the play. Now that I think of it, I think he called off the play - Edelman throwing to Amendola - earlier in the season, not earlier in the AFCCG.
I know you've spent plenty of time watching film. Was Amendola really only playing in the slot most of the season (even when Edelman was healthy)?
He called the double pass off in the KC blowout. They discuss it/show the clip of him making the call in Do Your Job, I believe.
If the Patriots keep Keshawn Martin as their primary punt and kick returner that also diminishes Amendola's value. I could see the
Edit: or what Hector said.
It was the KC Game. See 12:00-13:15 of Do Your Job
Edit: or what Hector said.
I didn't do a lot of all-22 on the Pats O, but PFF has Amendola at 83.6% slot in 2015. I don't have full numbers for reference but that's likely one of the highest numbers in the league.
My read on Amendola is that he has great hands and he's shifty after the catch but struggles to get open without scheme help. To me, that's not worth what he's going to make in 2016.
As SuperNomario and Number45Forever said, he has great hands, he can be your PR, plus he is a pretty smart player as well as an above-average (for a WR) downfield blocker. I think teams are seeing the success of a good slot guy, like Edelman or Welker before him, and will pay for that type of guy. I also think that teams with a good running/scrambling QB would find DA's downfield blocking to be particularly useful.
That said, the closest recent comp to a FA signing is probably Mike Wallace who signed for 11.5M/2 yrs. Wallace of 5-6 years ago was a higher top-end guy than DA ever was, but Wallace of late isn't much different than DA.
2015 Stats:
DA: 65 rec, 87 tgts, 648 yds, (10.0 avg), 3 TDs
MW: 39 rec, 72 tgts, 473 yds, (12.1 avg), 2 TDs
Wallace is a bit bigger (but only 1" taller as listed) and one year younger.
That's late Welker money. Dola's got a lot more left in the tank than that. I won't be shocked if Dola comes close to his current contract elsewhere. Speaking of:
@JasonLaCanfora Would not expect Pats to release Danny Amendola soon. Trying to rework his deal to keep him around. Exploring that thoroughly first
Wallace has very little in common with DA on the field. One-trick pony with deep ball speed and questionable hands. Never became a good route runner, he's best used on a go route. Bit of a primadonna. Back when he was with the Steelers I saw an interception or two that he could have broken up but gave up on the ball or didn't fight for it or just basically flopped. Ironically the Ravens may be his best fit because "run fast, go deep, draw DPI flag" should be within his wheel house. Sanders with Denver may be closer in skillset to DA, other similar guys you'd have to go further back, like Randel El.
Houston would be a landing spot given their shiny new QB and O'Brien's Pats connections.
You know who could use Dola? The Texans. Look at their WR depth chart:
http://www.houstontexans.com/team/depth-chart.html
They still have about $8m-$10m left in the cap. Couldn't you see pairing him up with Hopkins for Osweiler?
Edit: or what Hoya said
http://www.houstontexans.com/team/depth-chart.html
They still have about $8m-$10m left in the cap. Couldn't you see pairing him up with Hopkins for Osweiler?
Edit: or what Hoya said
I can see the argument for cutting him, but I don't see how they do it given their lack of depth at WR. He's their second best receiver and it's not close--at least not right now. And their #1 is coming off a serious foot injury. Gronk and Bennett are both question marks for different reasons. They're in no position to get rid of a competent receiver and good ST player.
The reality is that Amendola "costs" the Patriots less than he does anyone else, in the sense that if they cut him, they only have $3.5 million to pay someone else and stay cap neutral. (Because they already have $3.7 million in sunk cap due to the signing bonus.) Sounds like they kicked the tires on Nate Washington. But I doubt they are getting him for $3.5 million next year, and that's a lateral move anyway (and you lose a player who knows the system).
That's true, but my suspicion is that they're looking to Keyshawn Martin to take up the slack, not a FA who'll cost $3m+