A couple days ago, went back and watched the Playoff game vs. Houston, one thing stuck out to me. How much Brady seemed to only zero in on Welker the majority of the time. There would be other options further downfield or uncovered, but there’s Tom, staring Wes down and another three yard gain. I am supportive of BB’s decision and hope this will usher in a new era of offense instead of Welker getting 20 balls a game.

I think when we talk about the offense evolving this is a big part of it. He was safe money in the bank almost on every snap. Brady knew it, and defenses knew it, and that was the key that every game plan would start with when stopping the Pats.

So does Amendola have some similarities to Welker? Sure. But he’s not Welker, and the game plans against the Brady-Welker offense are now out the window. There is of course an element of risk, especially given the Pats track record developing receivers, but it immediately adds an element of change to the offense. You can’t make Welker the center of your game plan, coverages will have to adjust, as will the Patriots offense. 

There are still many moves to come this offseason so it’s pointless to talk now about what the new offense will look like, but even if it’s Amendola-Hernandez-Gronk-Lloyd it should be a solid group that can move the chains. Let’s just keep building the defense up to better compliment them as well.