Brandon Gibson: Danny Amendola A ‘Big Time’ Help In Patriots OTAs

FOXBORO, Mass. — While fans were on fervent Darrelle Revis watch, the New England Patriots made a savvy signing on the first day of free agency.

The Patriots dipped their toe into the free-agency water in March by signing Brandon Gibson, reuniting the veteran wideout with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and fellow receiver Danny Amendola. Gibson is seeing plenty of opportunities with starting quarterback Tom Brady during organized team activities, and the wide receiver already sounds like a Patriot.

“It’s fun,” Gibson said last week at OTAs. “I’m just trying to come in here every day and work hard, be a good teammate, really.”

Gibson played in 2011 under McDaniels with the St. Louis Rams. He caught 36 passes for 431 yards with one touchdown that season, and his experience with McDaniels already is helping him acclimate with the Patriots.

“It’s good to have an understanding of an offense, and I’m just making sure I progress and learn the system,” Gibson said. “It’s similar. I just want to make sure I work and understand each position and understand what I’m doing and work hard.”

Gibson has found a way to follow Amendola in each step of their careers. Gibson was drafted in the sixth-round by the Philadelphia Eagles, where Amendola was signed to a futures contract. Amendola was signed by the Rams off the Eagles’ practice squad on Sept. 22, 2009, then Gibson was traded by the Eagles to the Rams on Oct. 20, 2009.

Gibson and Amendola experienced their best NFL seasons as teammates with the Rams from 2009 to 2012. Amendola then signed with the Patriots, while Gibson spent two seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

“Big time,” Gibson said of Amendola’s help so far. “He’s my closest friend on the team, and he’s there for me on and off the field, so I appreciate it.”

Gibson is fighting for a spot on the Patriots’ roster, but he also could be competing with Amendola for the No. 3 receiver role. Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell are expected to start for the second consecutive season, while Gibson, Amendola, Brian Tyms, Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce, Zach D’Orazio, Chris Harper and Jonathan Krause are lobbying for spots on the depth chart.

“I just wanted to come here and work, man,” Gibson said. “I thought it would be a good place for me, a good place for me to come and learn and continue my career, so that was the reason I came here.”

It also helps to have a quarterback like Tom Brady at the helm.

“It’s exciting, watching how he operates and comes to work hard each and every day,” Gibson said. “Each day is kind of like a game to him. He comes in and works hard and wants to be on top of his game.”

LaFell has been sitting out of OTAs open to the media, which is giving all of the Patriots receivers added opportunities with Brady. Gibson has been solid in workouts so far, and his experience with McDaniels certainly gives him an advantage most free-agent receivers don’t have coming to the Patriots.

Thumbnail photo via Robert Mayer/USA TODAY Sports Images