DFW Sportsbeat interviews Amendola - 5/9/08

[dcfanatic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhzwgm3tm8I

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Here's why I think he makes it. Austin and Stanback are going to cancel each other out and one of them is a goner.

I see the WR spots falling like this.

Owens, Crayton, Glenn or a trade for big name, Hurd, Stanback and Amendola.

If the big trade happens then Glenn is gone ASAP because he's either the #2 in Dallas or he's gone.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhzwgm3tm8I

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Here's why I think he makes it. Austin and Stanback are going to cancel each other out and one of them is a goner.

I see the WR spots falling like this.

Owens, Crayton, Glenn or a trade for big name, Hurd, Stanback and Amendola.

If the big trade happens then Glenn is gone ASAP because he's either the #2 in Dallas or he's gone.

:starspin You broke that down perfect.....

 

[TonyS]

I get the chills thinking what a Welker-type of slot guy could do for Romo and the balance on the offense. We know that Crayton has great (least he did) hands, but he doesn't have a ton of quickness or speed. This guy could do some damage if he excels.

 

[Sandyf]

Would really like to believe that Amandola will be on the roster but he does face long odds. As to a decision coming down between Stanback and Austin, I doubt it would be those two.

Both of them have good speed, height and all the measurables. Austin made some very good catches but also some awful drops. His days as a returner here are basically done. Stanback is a 4th round choice that is being converted to QB, so he will get more of the benefit of the doubt.

Hurd is a guy that makes good catches and helps your QB but is never going to be confused with TO or TG. He is an excellent 3rd down guy and a 4th WR in 4 WR sets. So is Amandola

Jefferson and Polk will also get consideration. It will be tough would Amandola to make the team although I do give him, Robertson, Dixon and Hale the best chances for making the team. I also see that Austin and/or Hurd could be traded especially since Miami needs WRs and return guys. Hurd fits the special team character also.

My final six on the WRs would look like this, TO, Crayton, Stanback, Austin, Amendola, and either Hurd or TG. If TG plays we keep six, if he can't go then I see it being 5 or 6 (remember we carried TG all last year, so the 1st 14 games were with just 5 WRs). I could see a trade for a vet WR but that guy would just take the Hurd/TG spot on the roster although that person would be the 2nd WR in reality.

 

[DBoys]

Amendola is so quick on his cuts and he gets really good seperation.

 

[TheCount]

Man, the kid runs great routes. That alone is enough to get him on the roster seeing as how that's where most rookies, much less un-drafted rookies, are way behind.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I see the WR spots falling like this.

Owens, Crayton, Glenn or a trade for big name, Hurd, Stanback and Amendola.

If the big trade happens then Glenn is gone ASAP because he's either the #2 in Dallas or he's gone.

Yeah I think you are about right. I think a trade does go down.

Owens, Crayton, Vet WR or a trade for big name, Hurd, Stanback and Amendola.... and they find a way to keep Glenn around.

 

[skinsscalper]

I'm not so sure that Austin is on the outside looking in. The kid has tremendous speed. If the light comes on for him and he gets consistent in his game, the guy in trouble is Hurd. Hurd is the slowest WR we have right now and doesn't possess Austin's game-breaking speed.

I like his hands, but he doesn't seem to be much of a playmaker. I don't know if it's his lack of ability to create separation or what, but I would think that if Hurd and Austin made similar strides this throughout OTAs and TC and a decision had to be made, the versatility of Austin would tip the scales in his direction.

 

[TheSkaven]

If the big trade happens then Glenn is gone ASAP because he's either the #2 in Dallas or he's gone.

I suspect he might just be gone anyway. You don't win in this league by keeping older players with a history of injury problems.

This team desparately needs a #2 opposite of Terrell. It can't be Crayton.

 

[Redball Express]

Until we get him into TC and start playing against our defensive secondary..

..and measure him against what we have now and barring any vet FA being signed before September..

I think he's got a longshot at very best.

Maybe as a special teams player, he's a good fit..we could use his speed there. But we'll have to carry 7 WRs and I doubt that happens.

We'll see.

:starspin ReDBaLL ExPreSS :starspin

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Until we get him into TC and start playing against our defensive secondary..

..and measure him against what we have now and barring any vet FA being signed before September..

I think he's got a longshot at very best.

Maybe as a special teams player, he's a good fit..we could use his speed there. But we'll have to carry 7 WRs and I doubt that happens.

We'll see.

:starspin ReDBaLL ExPreSS :starspin

I dont think its way to early to call.

We have ZERO playmakers at WR besides TO.
Cowboys are/have been looking for diamond in the rough.

Garrett is already said to be high on him... so...

I will say early on... he is on the field in slot position this year.

 

[tomson75]

Amendola is so quick on his cuts and he gets really good seperation.

Man, the kid runs great routes. That alone is enough to get him on the roster seeing as how that's where most rookies, much less un-drafted rookies, are way behind.

Seriously. The 1:46 mark in that video. This kid loses zero speed in and out of his cuts. Very impressive.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Owens, Crayton, Vet WR or a trade for big name, Hurd, Stanback and Amendola.... and they find a way to keep Glenn around.

We won't go 7 deep at WR.

If Glenn proves he can still play he sticks and if not we make a deal. In any case we go with this:

TO
Glenn (or vet)
Crayton
Hurd
Stanback
Amendola

Long term thinking this may be Hurds last year unless he really shows something. I still want to go WR very very early next April.

 

[links18]

Have they started selling the Amendola jersey yet? He is the second best receiver on the team.:

 

[Chuck 54]

I'll go out on a limb and suggest Amendola hasn't got a chance in hell of making the 53 man roster. We have a bunch of guys who already know the system and the NFL and youth who should be much better this year.

1. TO
2. Glenn
3. Crayton
4. Stanback
5. 6. Austin/Hurd/Jefferson

I think Amendola and Polk will both be cut and signed to the practice squad where they'll be safely tucked away all season. No team is going to be in a hurry to sign undrafted WR's to their 53 man rosters...they all wanted to sign them as free agents in order to get them on their practice squads.

It's unrealistic to think Amendola will make the 53...I don't see it happening.

 

[TonyS]

I'll go out on a limb and suggest Amendola hasn't got a chance in hell of making the 53 man roster. We have a bunch of guys who already know the system and the NFL and youth who should be much better this year.

I don't think coach Jones will let that happen.

 

[Big D]

I'll go out on a limb and suggest Amendola hasn't got a chance in hell of making the 53 man roster. We have a bunch of guys who already know the system and the NFL and youth who should be much better this year.

1. TO
2. Glenn
3. Crayton
4. Stanback
5. 6. Austin/Hurd/Jefferson

I think Amendola and Polk will both be cut and signed to the practice squad where they'll be safely tucked away all season. No team is going to be in a hurry to sign undrafted WR's to their 53 man rosters...they all wanted to sign them as free agents in order to get them on their practice squads.

It's unrealistic to think Amendola will make the 53...I don't see it happening.

I tend to agree with this. I also think people are underestimating Patrick Crayton. It could be fallout from his miscues in the playoffs perhaps but hes definately got the best hands on the team. I think he ends up being the #2 guy and TG is out. I would like to see TG make it back to form but the odds are against that happening.

 

[tomson75]

I'll go out on a limb and suggest Amendola hasn't got a chance in hell of making the 53 man roster. We have a bunch of guys who already know the system and the NFL and youth who should be much better this year.

1. TO
2. Glenn
3. Crayton
4. Stanback
5. 6. Austin/Hurd/Jefferson

I think Amendola and Polk will both be cut and signed to the practice squad where they'll be safely tucked away all season. No team is going to be in a hurry to sign undrafted WR's to their 53 man rosters...they all wanted to sign them as free agents in order to get them on their practice squads.

It's unrealistic to think Amendola will make the 53...I don't see it happening.

TO, Austin, and Jefferson have similar games. Crayton and Hurd have similar games. Stanback is an enigma. Glenn is likely gone, or is very short term. We dont' need 3 TO knockoffs, especially ones that have had ample time to prove themselves, and have yet to do so. We certainly don't need more than one Crayton. We need to continue to improve through the draft and free agency. That doesn't happen by holding on for dear life to every feel good story on the roster.

We need another speedster. Austin is fast as hell, but he's been given his shots, and he'll be given another this summer. If he can do it, so be it. I don't think he can as a WR. The fact that we've addressed our special teams, specifically in the return department, makes Austin very expendable IMO.

We need another slot guy. Crayton isn't bad in the slot. He isn't "bad" as a #2. Can he be upgraded? I think the answer to that is obvious. I'm not saying we should get rid of him...FWIW.

I think Jefferson faces the longest odds. He'll be 26 this year, and while we've been given positive reports on the guy...how long do you hold on to 26 year old practice squad guys?

I like Austin. I like Hurd. I think if either one leaves, they'll likely find work somewhere else....but this WR roster has to be churned. Keeping it as is, just because they "know the system", sucks. This isn't the O-line we're talking about here.

I doubt Amendola lasts very long on the practice squad. There are plenty of teams looking to add new dimensions to their receiving corps, and that's exactly what Amendola's style does. He's the anti-prototype, and NE (amongst others) have shown us how to use these guys. If guys like Amendola and Bradford can show they can play special teams, I'm all for saying bye to Austin and Hurd. I like them, but its time for some change.

Who knows, maybe I'll be saying the same thing about Amendola in two years...but we'll never know if we don't take some chances.

 

[links18]

TO, Austin, and Jefferson have similar games. Crayton and Hurd have similar games. Stanback is an enigma. Glenn is likely gone, or is very short term. We dont' need 3 TO knockoffs, especially ones that have had ample time to prove themselves, and have yet to do so. We certainly don't need more than one Crayton. We need to continue to improve through the draft and free agency. That doesn't happen by holding on for dear life to every feel good story on the roster.

We need another speedster. Austin is fast as hell, but he's been given his shots, and he'll be given another this summer. If he can do it, so be it. I don't think he can as a WR. The fact that we've addressed our special teams, specifically in the return department, makes Austin very expendable IMO.

We need another slot guy. Crayton isn't bad in the slot. He isn't "bad" as a #2. Can he be upgraded? I think the answer to that is obvious. I'm not saying we should get rid of him...FWIW.

I think Jefferson faces the longest odds. He'll be 26 this year, and while we've been given positive reports on the guy...how long do you hold on to 26 year old practice squad guys?

I like Austin. I like Hurd. I think if either one leaves, they'll likely find work somewhere else....but this WR roster has to be churned. Keeping it as is, just because they "know the system", sucks. This isn't the O-line we're talking about here.

I doubt Amendola lasts very long on the practice squad. There are plenty of teams looking to add new dimensions to their receiving corps, and that's exactly what Amendola's style does. He's the anti-prototype, and NE (amongst others) have shown us how to use these guys. If guys like Amendola and Bradford can show they can play special teams, I'm all for saying bye to Austin and Hurd. I like them, but its time for some change.

Who knows, maybe I'll be saying the same thing about Amendola in two years...but we'll never know if we don't take some chances.

Well stated. Makes a good case for keeping Amendola w/o canonizing him as the second coming of Wes Welker just yet...........

 

[Manster68]

I'll go out on a limb and suggest Amendola hasn't got a chance in hell of making the 53 man roster.

It's unrealistic to think Amendola will make the 53...I don't see it happening.

It depends on his performance in the preseason games.

If he outperforms Austin, then Dallas might be forced to cut Austin. Amendola may not make it past waivers to get to the practice squad like Matt Moore last season.