Make-or-break time for Amendola
By HOWARD RODEN
Published: 08.25.08
Sunday was moving day for Danny Amendola.
Sunday was moving day for Danny Amendola.
It had nothing to do with his status with the Dallas Cowboys. Instead, The Woodlands graduate helped Danny Andino, another former Highlander, move furniture on his day off.
“It’s the only time we could do it,” Amendola said.
Amendola expects he’ll be considerably busier this week when the Cowboys host Minnesota tonight in their final preseason contest. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound free agent has spent most of Dallas’ training camp third on the depth chart behind Patrick Crayton and Isaiah Stanback as the right wide receiver.
But Stanback sustained a shoulder injury returning a kickoff in the Cowboys’ 23-22 win over Houston and his status is uncertain. Meanwhile, Miles Austin, listed third behind Terrell Owens at the other receiver slot, is expected to miss three to five weeks with a knee injury.
And with many of Dallas’ starters not expected to see much action, Amendola acknowledges the game Thursday could represent his make-or-break opportunity with America’s Team.
“I’ve been looking for this chance,” he said. “It’s all I can ask for.”
While the Cowboys had until 3 p.m. Tuesday to trim their roster from 80 to 75, the deadline concerning Amendola most appears to be one on Saturday, when the team has to get down to its regular season roster of 53.
“I have to admit I’ll be surprised if I don’t make it past the first cut,” he said. “I’ve worked my tail off for the past month, but the decision is up to the coaches.”
Amendola’s confidence is high after his 35-yard, fourth-quarter reception against the Texans. The catch was his second of the preseason and his first in Texas Stadium while wearing a silver helmet with a blue star on it.
With less than eight minutes to play, the former Texas Tech receiver exploited a “seam” in the Texans’ secondary; an open area between the safety and the cornerback. Reserve quarterback Brad Johnson’s throw was on the money and Amendola picked up another nine yards after the catch.
“It felt good,” Amendola said. “To be honest, I’ve run that route hundreds of times, in games and during practice. Once the play started it was like I went into auto pilot. You don’t put pressure on yourself. You rely on your experience.”
Amendola’s catch helped sustain a drive that resulted in a field goal for what proved to be the Cowboys’ winning points.
While he’s made clutch catches throughout college and high school, Amendola admitted the one last week was huge because an NFL career is at stake.
“I feel pretty confident. I’ve been getting quite a few reps and I’m seeing more and more action,” he said.
Amendola, who got in 10 offensive plays against Houston, leads the Cowboys in punt returns this preseason with three for an average of 9.3 yards. He’s returned two kickoffs for a total of 30 yards.
Amendola’s preseason got off to a rocky start when he fumbled a punt return in Dallas’ loss to San Diego. Since then, his play has taken a steady climb.
“It’s one of those things that happen,” he said. “There are different ways to prevent it, but I’m not going to sit back and play defense. I’m maintaining an aggressive mind set. You’ve got to make something happen and not wait for things to happen.”
Published: 08.25.08
Sunday was moving day for Danny Amendola.
Sunday was moving day for Danny Amendola.
It had nothing to do with his status with the Dallas Cowboys. Instead, The Woodlands graduate helped Danny Andino, another former Highlander, move furniture on his day off.
“It’s the only time we could do it,” Amendola said.
Amendola expects he’ll be considerably busier this week when the Cowboys host Minnesota tonight in their final preseason contest. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound free agent has spent most of Dallas’ training camp third on the depth chart behind Patrick Crayton and Isaiah Stanback as the right wide receiver.
But Stanback sustained a shoulder injury returning a kickoff in the Cowboys’ 23-22 win over Houston and his status is uncertain. Meanwhile, Miles Austin, listed third behind Terrell Owens at the other receiver slot, is expected to miss three to five weeks with a knee injury.
And with many of Dallas’ starters not expected to see much action, Amendola acknowledges the game Thursday could represent his make-or-break opportunity with America’s Team.
“I’ve been looking for this chance,” he said. “It’s all I can ask for.”
While the Cowboys had until 3 p.m. Tuesday to trim their roster from 80 to 75, the deadline concerning Amendola most appears to be one on Saturday, when the team has to get down to its regular season roster of 53.
“I have to admit I’ll be surprised if I don’t make it past the first cut,” he said. “I’ve worked my tail off for the past month, but the decision is up to the coaches.”
Amendola’s confidence is high after his 35-yard, fourth-quarter reception against the Texans. The catch was his second of the preseason and his first in Texas Stadium while wearing a silver helmet with a blue star on it.
With less than eight minutes to play, the former Texas Tech receiver exploited a “seam” in the Texans’ secondary; an open area between the safety and the cornerback. Reserve quarterback Brad Johnson’s throw was on the money and Amendola picked up another nine yards after the catch.
“It felt good,” Amendola said. “To be honest, I’ve run that route hundreds of times, in games and during practice. Once the play started it was like I went into auto pilot. You don’t put pressure on yourself. You rely on your experience.”
Amendola’s catch helped sustain a drive that resulted in a field goal for what proved to be the Cowboys’ winning points.
While he’s made clutch catches throughout college and high school, Amendola admitted the one last week was huge because an NFL career is at stake.
“I feel pretty confident. I’ve been getting quite a few reps and I’m seeing more and more action,” he said.
Amendola, who got in 10 offensive plays against Houston, leads the Cowboys in punt returns this preseason with three for an average of 9.3 yards. He’s returned two kickoffs for a total of 30 yards.
Amendola’s preseason got off to a rocky start when he fumbled a punt return in Dallas’ loss to San Diego. Since then, his play has taken a steady climb.
“It’s one of those things that happen,” he said. “There are different ways to prevent it, but I’m not going to sit back and play defense. I’m maintaining an aggressive mind set. You’ve got to make something happen and not wait for things to happen.”
posted by The Gryphon at 5:48 PM
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