New England Patriots: Danny Amendola extra motivated vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Danny Amendola will have extra motivation when the New England Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

Danny Amendola has come a long way in his journey as a big game performer for the New England Patriots. In fact, one of the teams he could not make was the team he will be facing in Super Bowl LII.

As an undrafted rookie free agent, Amendola got his start with the Dallas Cowboys, but it’s his experience with the Philadelphia Eagles that stands in his mind.  He has a framed Eagles jersey with his name on the back to remind him of how he started his career.

Speaking to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Amendola explained why he has the framed jersey.

"“I only had one,” Amendola said, via ESPN.  “They put your name on the back and everything, and I guess they were selling it for some reason. [A friend] bought it, sent it to me framed and said, ‘Hang this on your wall so you’ll never forget the day they cut you.’  I have it hanging.  I’ll never forget that.  I learned a lot there, but at the end of the day…”"

The veteran wide receiver was signed to the Eagles practice squad in 2009 while the team was in the postseason.  He remained with the team through the offseason and into the preseason before he was claimed by the then-St.Louis Rams.

Amendola went on to acknowledge the Eagles depth at wide receiver during that time.  With veterans like Jason Avant, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Hank Baskett and Kevin Curtis, it would’ve been really hard for him to crack the 53-man roster.  But, as he explained, he learned a lot from his experience with the Eagles.

Now, at the age of 32, the Patriots veteran receiver can look back in reflection as motivation as to where he is now and the accomplishments that still lie ahead.  Hopefully, that includes another big game on the biggest stage the NFL has to offer.

Credit to Josh McDaniels

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Credit Danny Amendola’s success with the New England Patriots to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

McDaniels coached Amendola while he was with the Rams and when it became time to replace Wes Welker, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick credits his offensive coordinator for recognizing what Amendola could bring to the table.

"“Really, the light went on with Josh [McDaniels],” Belichick told the media when asked about what he remembered about Amendola coming out of Texas Tech.  “Josh was here.  Josh had him in St. Louis and you saw a good player in St. Louis but you didn’t see all the things behind the scenes that you kind of can see when you actually have the player on your team.  Josh saw that and he made us aware of all the things that Danny does and how well he does them, what his skills were and so forth.  That’s kind of when it started and then of course once we got him here all of that became evident to everybody who works with him.”"

Things have worked out extremely well for Danny Amendola in New England.  After beginning his career with the Patriots on a down note, primarily due to injuries, the veteran receiver has emerged as one of the team’s most clutch players.

Next: New England Patriots: 6 plays that clinched Super Bowl LII berth

Amendola’s 7 receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns helped propel the New England Patriots into Super Bowl LII.