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Socci: Missed Time, Edelman's Emergence Made It Tough For Amendola To Find Role

BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots squeaked out a 17-16 win over the New York Jets on Sunday to improve to 12-3 on the season and lock up a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Patriots were without Julian Edelman, who missed the game with a concussion, but Danny Amendola stepped in to fill that void. He finished the game with eight receptions for 63 yards, with three of those eight catches going for a first down, and two of those coming on crucial third downs.

It has been an up and down journey for Amendola since he signed a five-year, $31 million deal with the Patriots prior to last season, with the receiver struggling to stay healthy and make an impact when he is on the field. He has been much better in 2014, making a difference on special teams, though his production in the receiving game is not what you'd expect from a player who signed such a contract.

Bob Socci, the radio voice of the Patriots on 98.5 The Sports Hub, joined Jon Wallach and Trenni Kusnierek (filling in for Toucher & Rich) to discuss Amendola's game on Sunday, and the receiver's career in New England.

"So much has been made about trust or lack thereof in Amendola, I think that has been overstated," said Socci. "The biggest problem for Danny is his role in the offense since that Buffalo game last year when he got hurt. Let's face it, he laid his season on the line that game, the 2013 season opener and his first regular season game as a Patriot. He played exceptionally well and was one of the two or three players responsible for that win. Then Edelman had a break out season, and became Wes Welker's successor -- the role Amendola was supposed to be."

Edelman has continued to fill that role this season, proving to be one of the better slot receivers in the league, leaving Amendola behind him on the depth chart and on the sidelines in most situations.

"For Danny, it has been a season where he might have been lost a little bit in terms of his role. His snap count has been down. He has made an impact on special teams in different ways, and yesterday was a matter of him being able to play the position he was signed to play," said Socci. "Based on what Tom Brady said going back to Training Camp in the 2013 campaign, it's never really been a trust issue. It's just been a matter of Amendola missing a lot of time, maybe not being 100 percent physically for much of last year, and Edelman emerging in that role."

While he's had more of an impact this season, Socci said it's hard to see Amendola remain on the team after this year under his current contract.

"His contract and cap hit certainly raise that question when you project where he'll be next year. Edelman has becomes Tom's go-to guy, and with good reason. In the case of Amendola, maybe they bring him back on a restructured deal," he said. "It would be surprising to many if he does return under the terms of his current contract."

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