Danny Amendola Resents Bill Belichick On Malcolm Butler Decision

Nobody needs any further proof that Danny Amendola is a competitor. That much is proven by how he seems to elevate his play in the postseason.

Keep this little stat in mind. In his career, Amendola has produced 14 total games where he had 80 or more yards receiving. Four of those games came in the playoffs. His 152 yards in the Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia was the second-best performance he ever put up and at age 32 no less. It was clear he wanted to win that football game badly. In the end, despite his herculean efforts, the Patriots fell in a 41-33 shootout.

Amendola has since departed for a new home, signing a deal with the Miami Dolphins. He knew full well the Patriots had no plans to offer him any dollar amount that would be in his favor. Their long history of playing it cheap with veterans has long been common knowledge. He could accept that and said as much during a recent interview. However, it seems there is one thing he resents his former team over. Or more specifically, his former head coach Bill Belichick.

That is the still baffling decision to bench cornerback Malcolm Butler in the Super Bowl.

Amendola not a Belichick fan and not afraid to say so

Everybody knows by now that Belichick is not what one might call a “player’s coach.” He has high standards and places heavy demands on his players. He doesn’t want them to like him. He wants them to play their best football and win championships. That can wear on a person after a length of time. Still, not many Patriots who left New England were openly critical of the future Hall of Famer. Amendola is a rare exception. Much of that ire is centered on the Butler decision.

The most telling line was obvious:

"“I have my thoughts about it because I was putting out there my blood, sweat and tears out on the field that night, and one of our best players wasn’t on the field.”"

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It’s easy to understand why he’s still bitter about it. In their first two playoff wins with Butler in the lineup, the Patriots gave up 202 and 273 yards passing respectively. Solid work. In the Super Bowl with Butler out of the lineup, Nick Foles threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns. It’s impossible to say not having him out there made no difference. It most definitely did. If people care to admit it or not since 2014 the Patriots are 2-1 in the Super Bowl. Their two victories had Butler on the field for them in crunch time.

Take that for what you will. Amendola certainly does.