Rams must re-sign Danny Amendola

After missing 15 games in 2011, St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola caught a team best 63 passes in the 2012 season and continues to lead the Rams offense.

It’s obvious the Rams are much more efficient on offense when Danny Amendola is on the field. His consistency allows them to move the chains more often and gives quarterback Sam Bradford a solid go-to option. It’s as if Bradford is more comfortable at times when Amendola is in the game.

As 2013 Free Agency starts Danny Amendola is an unrestricted free agent. Rams Executive VP Kevin Demoff said recently that the team plans to sign him to a long-term deal before he hits free agency. He also said that the team projects to be $7-10 million under the salary cap heading into next season. To franchise Amendola would cost somewhere around 10.3 million for a one-year deal  - TurfShowTimes.com

According to ESPN.com, Danny Amendola caught 80% of passes thrown his way which was five percent better than any other receiver on the team. Bradford has a passer rating of 100.8 when throwing his way, while his overall rating is just 81.7. St. Louis is dramatically more efficient at converting third downs when he is on the field, sustaining drives and keeping the offense moving down the field.

The only question continues to be his health and overall value as a free agent. There are a number of high-priced solid wide receivers in 2013 Free Agency. (Greg Jennings, Dwayne Bowe, Wes Welker) Amendola’s value as a free agent has dipped after his injuries and due to the level of talent.

Danny Amendola is very similar to Wes Welker and the success they both have. While Welker, four years older, will be searching for a new team for the second time, it was the Miami Dolphins  who let him go and ended up regretting it. Let’s hope the Rams don’t make the same mistakes.

GB Bongiovanni is a syndicated writer and owner of TPF. He can be found on Twitter @GBBongiovanni and on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/Bongiovanni