FOXBORO, Mass. — There aren’t many wide receivers on the Patriots roster that have taken a pass from Tom Brady before.
That’s why high-profile free agent Danny Amendola is trying to get acquainted with the superstar quarterback as quickly as possible. That included meeting up with Brady in Southern California to run some routes and catch some passes in the spring sunshine.
“The more work is best going into the season,” Amendola said. “Anytime you get a jump and you get to work with each other is good.”
Amendola has spent five years in the league after going undrafted coming out of Texas Tech in 2008. He caught passes from Sam Bradford, Marc Bulger, Kyle Boller and Keith Null with the Rams during regular season games. Perhaps it’s obvious, but none of those players are the same caliber as Brady.
“He’s a really good quarterback,” Amendola said about getting on the field with Brady. “Everybody knows that. Just trying to get on the same page. So far so good.”
Amendola took the majority of snaps at wide receiver with Michael Jenkins on the other side. Those two seemed to be working closely with Brady in the Patriots’ second OTAs practice. The new slot receiver noticed how good Brady was right away.
“He darted me in the chest with one ball and it’s just inside my head it’s like, ‘This guy can really wing it.’ That’s why he’s Tom Brady,” Amendola said.
With so much turnover at wide receiver, someone will have to pick up Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd’s production from last season. Amendola is a step ahead of the rest of the pack from working with Brady during the offseason and having experience working with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in St. Louis.
The next step is staying healthy.
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