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The St. Louis Rams have been quiet so far in regards to their own free agents. That changed this week. According to the PD, the team extended restricted free agent wide receiver Danny Amendola a second-round offer.
The move represents a big pay raise for Amendola, after playing for around the minimum salary since joining the Rams. It also makes 2012 a pivotal year in his career as he gets ready for unrestricted free agency in 2013.
The second-round tender pays Amendola $1.927 million in 2012, a notable bump after making the veteran minimum last year, which was around $600K.
The Rams lost Amendola to a gruesome elbow injury in the first week of the season last year. He rushed back from injury, but ended up worse off after exacerbating it in practice. That landed him on injured reserve, ending his season after only a few snaps.
His presence in the Rams offense was sorely missed. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels tried several other options to replace Sam Bradford's favorite check down target. Greg Salas was the best of the bunch, but he landed on IR just as he started to pick up the flow of things.
Just what kind of pay day Amendola gets in 2012 will depend largely on his play this season. In 2010, he and Bradford connected for 85 receptions, but very little in the way of yardage, just 689 yards.
If the Rams upgrade their outside receivers and get tight ends Lance Kendricks and Michael Hoomanawanui healthy and ready to play, Amendola's reception total could drop. However, with a more open field, he might find more room to run after the catch.
He will also be auditioning along side Greg Salas. The Rams' fourth-round pick last year played well in the slot, and looks like he has some potential on the outside as well.