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Patriots: Danny Amendola apologizes, doubles down on Belichick comments

By Adam Weinrib

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Danny Amendola #80 and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Danny Amendola #80 and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Former Patriots WR Danny Amendola apologized for his “anti-Bill” comments but didn’t shy away from them.

Just because Bill Belichick’s process works doesn’t mean everyone who serves under him has to be thrilled by it.

Free agent Danny Amendola became one of the first prominent Patriots of this recent semi-dynasty to voice his apparent displeasure with the glorification of the system this week, and he quickly realized what happens in the media when a former Pat goes rogue.

On FS1’s First Things First on Monday, Amendola opened up to Nick Wright about the Brady-Belichick debate that won’t die, admitting very quickly which side he falls on.

“When you see the ‘Patriot Way’ in the dictionary, it’s got Tom Brady’s picture next to it. None of those coaches caught any passes. … Tom Brady is the ‘Patriot Way.’ That’s why he’s in the Super Bowl & the Patriots aren’t,” Amendola said, in a surprisingly heated exchange.

Naturally, someone surely got to him over the past 24 hours, so Amendola booked a spot on Colin Cowherd’s program Tuesday to make amends … or did he?

Turns out treating every player like the same type of asset can wear thin, especially when a certain player is a prominent part of several championships. Remember “Playoff Danny”? He was unique. Not every wide receiver with similar attributes would’ve displayed the same gumption under pressure.

Even though this was an attempted apology, it’s still clear a little love was lost here.

Here’s that Amendola quote in full:

"“I was a huge fan of Bill and the way he coached and his tactics and what he did to prepare us for the game. I loved playing for Bill. But the fact that he also wore the GM hat, and I had to negotiate my contract with him three years in a row by myself and take pay cuts to help him and put rings on his finger kind of wore me the wrong way. So I felt like it was in the best interest for me to move on.”"

In other words, taking constant cuts from Bill the GM is … kind of unpleasant! We get it!

For decades, the “Patriot Way” has been described as being willing to take less for the greater good when absolutely no other franchise expects its players to do so.

Eventually, the premise wore thin for Amendola. And for Brady, too.

It was sustainable for two decades, but it was bound to create casualties. Simple as that. Astounding it worked so seamlessly for so long.

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