Amendola has no regrets
Happy with move to Miami
FOXBORO — Danny Amendola did his best to downplay his return to Gillette Stadium, simply saying, “I’m going to be on the other side of the field. That’s it.”
Amendola’s undefeated Dolphins visit the reeling Pats this weekend with a chance to take a threegame lead in the AFC East.
During an interview with reporters in Miami yesterday, Amendola indicated he was fine with how his career in New England ended.
“Of course,” Amendola said. “I don’t have any regrets in my career. I’m really happy to be here. I’m really happy to be with these guys, with this group, with these coaches, with my teammates and this organization. It’s a dream come true to me.”
Back at Gillette, Amendola’s former teammates reflected on everything he brought to the table these past five seasons.
“Toughness,” said special teams captain Matthew Slater. “I mean, that sucker’s tough. I haven’t played with too many guys like that. I say all that understanding we’re competing against these guys on Sunday. The priority will be going out and executing and playing very well. But I’m not ashamed to say how I feel about those guys.”
Slater, of course, was also referring to ex-Patriots running back Brandon Bolden, who was cut at the end of training camp. While it was widely assumed the Pats would bring him back early in the season, Bolden instead opted to sign with the Dolphins.
Miami coach Adam Gase called Bolden “a true pro.”
“He does everything right from meetings to on the field, games,” Gase said. “It just seems like he’s been great for us.”
Bolden, who originally joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2012, was a key special teams player for six seasons.
“I’m not ashamed to sit here and say I love Brandon Bolden,” Slater said. “I appreciate him. I appreciate his friendship. I appreciate the time I spent here with him. I learned a lot from him. He made me a better football player. I’m thankful for him. There’s no question about it. Come Sunday, we’ve got to get that guy blocked. We’ve got to know where that guy is at all times, because he’s a heck of a player.”
Through three games, Amendola has 11 receptions for 100 yards. Bolden has played 56 special teams snaps, which ranks second on the Dolphins.
Bit of good news
On a day when the Patriots placed running back Rex Burkhead and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley on injured reserve, the club also saw some positive developments on the injury front. Defensive end Trey Flowers, safety Patrick Chung and tight end Jacob Hollister returned to practice.
All three missed the loss at Detroit. Flowers and Chung were dealing with concussions. They were limited in practice, as were eight other players.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle), defensive end Geneo Grissom (ankle) and defensive tackle Danny Shelton (elbow) were added to the injury report.
Cornerback Eric Rowe (groin), tackle Marcus Cannon (calf), cornerback Keion Crossen (hamstring), safety Nate Ebner (hip) and wide receiver Josh Gordon (hamstring) remained limited.
Flowers spoke with the media afterward, but did not commit to playing Sunday. He remains in concussion protocol.
“I expect to work (toward) being able to play,” Flowers said. “Whatever happens, happens.”
Two out, two in
After moving Burkhead and Bentley to IR, the Patriots filled the two roster spots with running back Kenjon Barner and linebacker John Simon.
Barner was with the team briefly earlier this season before being released.
Simon is a 6-foot-2, 260-pound veteran who brings pass-rushing capability (13 career sacks) and versatility to the edge. He played for former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel in Houston from 2014-16.
Most recently, Simon was with the Indianapolis Colts. He was released at the end of training camp and spent the first three weeks of the season searching for a new team.