Amendola ready to step on clutch
FOXBORO — Patriots slot machine Danny Amendola knows what time it is.
When asked if he is ready for tonight’s AFC Championship Game against the Steelers, Amendola lit up and simply replied, “Hell yeah.”
Amendola hasn’t had an ideal season, but he has been clutch when called upon and that quality has been consistent with his career. He was a beast during the Patriots’ Super Bowl run in 2014 with 11 catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns in three playoff games, and that included two scores during an epic comeback against the Ravens and another during the fourth-quarter climb to overcome the Seahawks.
So even though Amendola was used in a limited capacity in his first dozen games this season before he was out for a month with an ankle injury, this is really his time to thrive. He is always trusted in tense situations, and the past few months merely set the stage.
“I just try to be there for my teammates in any role or any capacity that coaches can find for me,” Amendola said. “I want to be out there on every play and doing everything. Whatever my role is, it is.”
Amendola was primarily used on money downs during the regular season, deployed in obvious passing situations or instances when the Patriots had to move the chains, third down or otherwise. Despite the limited opportunities, he ranked third on the Pats with 14 catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
He was used sparingly again last week against the Texans, as his 21 offensive snaps (out of 69) were the 14th most on the team. He didn’t catch any passes but took a handoff for 15 yards that drew a passionate high-five from Bill Belichick.
They might not call on him as often as they used to, but Amendola is ready for the chances that present themselves.
“It just comes down to playing hard, playing tough and doing whatever it takes to get a win,” Amendola said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that matters. I’m focused on getting right this week, preparing for the rest of the week and trying to do the same this week.
“I feel really good. I’m in good shape. I feel strong and fast.”
Solder up for challenge
James Harrison, the Steelers’ 38-year-old defensive leader, didn’t have a single sack this season through Week 7. He has 7.5 quarterback takedowns since that point, including 2.5 in the playoffs, which is more than he had in any season from 2012-15.
Left tackle Nate Solder hasn’t allowed a sack since Week 10, and he’ll have to be at the top of his game to make Harrison look his age.
“I think he is playing his best football right now,” Solder said. “From what I’ve seen, it seems like he is playing at a high level. It looks like he is moving around great, is a tough player, plays hard all the time, kind of the leader of their defense it seems like, definitely emotionally. You’ve got to give it everything you’ve got against him.”
The 6-foot-8 Solder has 8 inches on Harrison, so his technique must be precise against the short, powerful rusher.
“It poses problems for everybody,” Solder said of Harrison’s low center of gravity. “So that’s absolutely something I’ve got to work on. Whatever it takes, I’ve got to work my body around to where I can be in position to block him.
“He’s got plenty of power. He sets it up with speed, though. He can work the edges with speed, but he’s got plenty of power.”
Harrison’s turnaround began after the Patriots beat the Steelers, and Solder has obviously taken notice.
“He is doing a lot of the same things. He’s just doing them better,” Solder said. “So you can watch that (Week 7 game), but what is most relevant is what he’s doing right now, so that’s where we’re spending most of our time getting ready for him.”
Ryan won’t change anything
Cornerback Logan Ryan has been playing as well as just about anyone on the Patriots defense of late, but he won’t buy into his own hype. Similarly, he wasn’t concerned when he was getting blown up by the fan base on Twitter after some difficult performances earlier in the season.
“I always have that confidence in myself,” Ryan said. “At this position, the way we live and with social media, everything is overanalyzed. At the end of the day, I knew I’ve played good ball in my career. I know I’m capable of it and just tried to string them together. Have a good game and try to string the next one together, and when it’s all said and done, judge how the season went. You can’t do it the first four games, the first eight games or the first 16 games when you’re playing in the playoffs. You’ve got to look at it as a whole. I’m focused on this game, try to have a good one this week and try to keep playing.
“It’s not always going to be perfect. Some games are going to be better than others, but I haven’t changed my approach in years.”