Danny Amendola
 Amendola as a freshman at Texas Tech | |
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| College: | Texas Tech |
| Undrafted: | 2008 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Daniel Amendola (born November 2, 1985 in The Woodlands, Texas) is a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. Amendola went undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft but later signed as a free agent with the Cowboys on April 27, 2008. He was cut from the Cowboys roster prior to the 2008/09 regular season. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Amendola has drawn numerous comparisons, including from Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach, to former Tech receiver Wes Welker, now with the New England Patriots,[2][3] as the two have similar builds (Welker is 5'9", 185 lb, while Amendola is 5'11", 183 lb) and played the same positions at Tech (slot receiver and punt returner).[4]
High School career
Amendola finished his high school career leading his team to its first ever Texas State championship game. Although they lost to North Shore High School, Amendola finished his Senior season with 1045 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns, and 129 rushing yards.[5]
College career
Amendola finished his college career at Texas Tech with 204 receptions for 2,246 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also returned 116 punts for 1,283 yards and one TD, an 11.06 yards per return average ranking Amendola third all-time in school history in punt returns and yardage, behind only Welker and Tyrone Thurman.[6] Amendola's best year was his senior year, in which he was overshadowed by teammate Michael Crabtree, but still recorded 109 catches for 1,245 yards and 6 TDs.[7]
During the 2005 season, Amendola made two memorable plays that led to Red Raider victories. The first was late in the 2005 game against Oklahoma. Tech was trailing. On fourth down, a Cody Hodges pass attempt was tipped, and Amendola made a leaping catch in traffic. He was tackled immediately and appeared to have been stopped just short of a first down. However, the spot was reviewed by the replay officials and the final spot of the ball resulted in a first down. The drive was kept alive and resulted in yet another disputed call—Taurean Henderson's stretch over the goal line on the final play of regulation, which gave the Red Raiders the victory over the Sooners.[8]
Another game-changing play came when Amendola recovered the fumble from an intercepted pass during the final drive of the 2005 game against Nebraska. Tech needed a touchdown to win. Tech quarterback Cody Hodges' pass was tipped and intercepted. Instead of taking a knee to seal the victory, the Nebraska defender decided to run with the ball and had it stripped. Amendola dove for the loose ball and recovered it.[9] Tech retained possession, resulting in a game-winning touchdown pass from Hodges to Joel Filani on fourth down with under 30 seconds remaining.[10]
Professional career
Amendola signed as a free agent with the Cowboys on April 27, 2008.[11] His attempt to make it pro was featured on the HBO special Hard Knocks. Amendola was cut from the Dallas Cowboys on August 30, 2008.[12]
References
- ^ "2003 All-Texas Teams and Season Awards". 5atexasfootball.com. 2008-08-06.
- ^ Welker provides hope for Dallas Cowboys' free-agent WR
- ^ "Scouting Combine 2008: Danny Amendola". NFL.com. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
- ^ "Amendola Leads the 'Smallish' Slot Receiver Brigade". USA Football. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
- ^ "2003 High School Statistics" (PDF). highlanderfootball.net. 2008-08-06.
- ^ "Player Bio: Danny Amendola". Retrieved 2008-06-28.
- ^ "Danny Amendola Statistics". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
- ^ "Calls don't bother Tech coach". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Playing from heart has duel meaning for Hodges family". The Daily Toreador. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Tech leaves 'Huskers shell-shucked". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Tech's Amendola on board". Dallas Morning News. 2008-04-27.
- ^ Spagnola, Mickey (2008-08-30). "Here Are The Cuts: Cowboys Trim Roster To 53 By Cutting 21". Retrieved 2008-08-30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)