The Patriots found a way to get their back-up wide receiver comfortable last season. Now they need to get their tight end involved.
Sunday's game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos marked just the fifth time that wide receiver Danny Amendola didn't suit up. He was signed to ultimately replace Wes Welker, but a groin injury in the opening game of 2013 opened the door for Julian Edelman to steal the spotlight and the starting role.
Amendola remained a key target in the anemic 2013 offense that lacked Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, and heavily featured rookies Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins.