Danny Amendola takes shot at Bill Belichick when asked about Tom Brady
What is the “Patriot Way”? After the way the 2020 season has gone, many outside of New England may say Tom Brady. That’s what Danny Amendola believes.
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Danny Amendola #80 after winning the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesBy Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
In one of the least shocking comments we'll hear during Super Bowl week, Danny Amendola expressed in so many words that he's much more of a Tom Brady guy than a Bill Belichick guy.
This goes back to 2018. Shortly after leaving the Patriots to sign with the Dolphins, Amendola infamously told ESPN's Mike Reiss that Belichick was "an [a-hole] sometimes," and that winning two Super Bowls with the Patriots was a "silver lining" of that experience. Now that Brady has taken the Bucs from mediocrity to the Super Bowl in one season - while the Patriots went 7-9 and missed the playoffs, due in large part to bad quarterback play - Amendola is now only further in Brady's corner.
Asked by Nick Wright about Belichick's ability to preach the vaunted "Patriot Way" without Brady in New England, Amendola made it clear where he (still) stands in this whole thing.
"When you see ‘Patriot Way’ in the dictionary, it’s going to have Tom Brady’s name next to it," Amendola said. "None of those coaches threw any passes, none of those coaches caught any passes, none of those coaches made any tackles. They got guys in the right position because they watch a lot of film and they spend all their time at the facility. But Tom Brady is the ‘Patriot Way’, and that’s the reason why Tom Brady is in the Super Bowl right now and the Patriots aren’t.”
Dan Powers/USA TODAY SportsDanny Amendola took an obvious shot at Bill Belichick when asked about the Patriots and Tom Brady in a recent interview. (Dan Powers-USA TODAY)
Amendola may be taking a little too much credit away from Belichick in this case. The fact that Belichick got to seven wins, with one of the NFL's least talented rosters and some of the worst quarterbacking in the league, was something of an accomplishment. But any self-respecting NFL fan knows you need an elite quarterback to win multiple Super Bowls and contend for the game every year. You put the best coach and quarterback together, well, then you get the Patriots from 2001-19. But considering the current state of the Pats and Bucs, takes like Amendola's are to be expected.
It may be hard for Patriots fans to resist looking at Amendola and saying, "What is this all about? Belichick made you. He gave you a nice contract when you were unproven. You should be grateful you even got that opportunity." But Amendola also restructured his contract multiple times over the years to help Belichick add to his roster. He played nice financially for as long as he could, so once he got out, it felt liberating.
And now, in Amendola's mind, those Super Bowls were all about the quarterback. Brady's impact on the Patriots dynasty has only become more obvious. It's going to be hard to find an ex-Brady teammate who doesn't feel the same. And as far as shots fired toward Belichick, this is probably just the beginning.
Fair or not, Belichick needs to turn the Patriots around in a hurry or he's going to be hearing these things a lot longer.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff or send him a nasty email at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
