Tom Brady, Danny Amendola talk budding chemistry
The New England Patriots wide receivers haven’t had the best camp collectively, as Marshall second-round pick Aaron Dobson has been slow to develop and is struggling with drops. However, the Pats have seen two surprise performers in Kamar Aiken and veteran Michael Jenkins, but there has been a clear drop-off from the Patriots top wide receiver to the rest. That top wide receiver is new slot guy Danny Amendola, who has been quick this offseason and has easily been the Patriots best receiver through OTAs and minicamp. Amendola was expected to be the Patriots best wide receiver, so what is especially noteworthy is how quick he and Tom Brady have created a rapport.
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It seems like the chemistry between Amendola and Brady has developed extremely quickly, and that’s certainly a huge plus. Amendola is, more or less, going to take on the role Wes Welker held in the Patriots offense, and it is a highly lucrative role. Brady loves looking for his slot receiver, but fans point to it as a detriment at times when Brady seemingly over-targets the man in the middle.
The keys to building chemistry are hard work and intelligence, because you have to be smart enough to be on the same page as the quarterback. Slot receivers have to be able to make quick decisions and diagnose the coverages in a heartbeat- you know, as fast as Brady does.
Well, Amendola did just that yesterday at minicamp after making a quick cut and catching a quick throw from Brady on a play that showed an innate ability to find the open zone and get on the same page as the quarterback. This budding Brady-Amendola connection is starting to flourish, and it is incredible how early these guys have built a rapport.
After Amendola made that catch, Tom Brady was visibly pumped. Amendola said of the play, via ESPN Boston, “Watching Tom and being on the outside, you see that fire, you see him get amped up in games. That’s the type of guy you want to play for. For him to do that in practice and OTAs, and we’re going against each other, our own team, to have that fire and desire to win, it’s really uplifting,” he said. “He does a really good job of lifting up the whole team and getting everybody to play really hard and that’s why obviously he’s one of the best.”
Tom Brady also took the time to praise Danny Amendola again, via ESPN Boston, “Danny has come in and he’s fun to play with. He works so hard, he’s diving out there for catches, and he’s really done everything that we’ve asked him to do.”
I would highly recommend following that second link provided, because it contains quotes from Brady about chemistry between wide receivers and quarterbacks as a whole.