Amendola channels Belichick
Former Patriots receiver is ready for his first matchup in New England
New Miami Dolphins receiver Danny Amendola pretended like he didn’t hear the question, but the sly smile on his face gave it all away.
Amendola, a two-time Super Bowl champion with New England, was asked if he reached out to close friend in tight end Rob Gronkowski before he faces his former team for the first time on Sunday.
“Uh, who’s that?” Amendola said with a smile in the Dolphins (3-0) locker-room on Wednesday.
While Amendola says he has not yet talked to Gronkowski, he expects to meet and greet with a number of former teammates and coaches at some point during Sunday’s game against the Patriots (1-2) at 1 p.m. in Gillette Stadium.
Gronkowski, quarterback Tom Brady, coach Bill Belichick and a few former teammates in the Patriots secondary could be on the list.
“Through the whole organization, they have a lot of good people there. I can’t sit down and talk to all of them,” Amendola said. “I’m just looking forward to the game. Who I get to hit or, handshake is fine with me.”
Amendola, who spent five seasons with New England, signed a two-year deal worth $12 million with Miami in the off-season after being unable to reach a deal with his former team.
When the deal became official, it was Gronkowski who told Amendola to “Be FREE, Be HAPPY” in an Instagram video of Gronkowski welcoming Amendola into his oversized jacket for a hug during a cold game.
A lower-than-ideal offer from the Patriots, coupled with Gronkowski’s comments, may have hinted at a sour ending for Amendola in New England. But Amendola insists the contrary, while also expressing his excitement about a new beginning with the Miami Dolphins. “I don’t have any regrets in my career,” Amendola said. “I’m really happy to be here, happy to be with these guys, this group, my teammates and coaches and this organization. It’s a dream come true to me.”
After three games, Amendola quietly leads Miami with 11 receptions and is fourth on the team with 100 receiving yards, becoming a favourite target for Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Amendola has used his football knowledge acquired playing alongside Brady and under Belichick to become a welcomed addition to the Dolphins.
“Some of the things I’ve learned there, I’ll carry forever,” Amendola said, citing a number of topics like experience, film study, weekly routines and situational football.
“I’m just using my preparation skills against them now.”
Maybe the biggest lesson Amendola learned during his time in New England came from the Belichick School of Media Training.
Q: Why is it so difficult for other teams to win in New England?
“They’re well coached,” Amendola said. “They have good players, and they fly around. It’s not going to be any different this week. We have to do a lot of things well in order to win.”
Q: What would a win, and a 4-0 start, mean for the Dolphins?
“One game a week, that’s what we’re focused on, but we want to win, everyone we play,” Amendola said. “This week is no different — it’s an away game, it’s a division game, it’s an important game. And we’re all excited to get up there.”
Q: Do you expect any emotions to arise in your first visit back to Foxborough, Massachusetts?
“Emotions? I play with a lot of emotion every game. (I have) a lot of friends on every team,” Amendola said.
“This won’t be much different. I’m familiar with a lot of people in the organization, and I’m excited to get up there.”