NFL: Patriots replace Wes Welker with Danny Amendola
The New England Patriots didn’t take long to replace receiver Wes Welker, agreeing to terms Wednesday afternoon with former St. Louis Rams wideout Danny Amendola on a five-year, $31-million contract, according to NFL.com.
Welker, who caught more than 110 passes and gained more than 1,150 yards in five of the last six season with the Patriots, agreed to a two-year contract with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday afternoon.
Within hours, the Patriots had landed the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Amendola, who missed five games last season with a foot injury but still had 63 receptions for 666 yards and three touchdowns.
Amendola, who reportedly is guaranteed $10 million, had his breakout season in 2010, his second as a pro, when he cracked the starting lineup for six of the 16 games he played and had 85 catches for 689 yards and three touchdowns.
Durability has been a problem for Amendola, though. He not only missed five games in 2012, but he played only in the season opener in 2011, when he broke his arm after making five catches for 45 yards.
Amendola joins a receiving corps that features veteran Brandon Lloyd and unproven youngsters in Kamar Aiken, Jeremy Ebert, Andre Holmes and Matthew Slater currently under contract.
LSO:
Wes Welker signs two-year deal with Broncos
Reggie Bush agrees to contract with the Lions
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