The Detroit Lions got off to a fast start to free agency this week, signing unrestricted free agent wide receiver Danny Amendola Monday.
Amendola comes to Detroit familiar with head coach Matt Patricia from their time together in New England.
"Just my relationship with coach (Matt) Patricia," Amendola said via conference call of what brought him to Detroit. "The experiences we've had together and what we've gone through – and that excitement is mutual.
"Obviously, he's a defensive-minded coach, he was the defensive coordinator in New England when I was there, worked together for five years, and just a guy who is relatable. A guy that's demanding. He's instilled a lot of mental toughness in the guys that play for him and those are the things that stood out the most.
"He was never really my coach, so to speak, because he was always on the defensive side of the ball, but I was always around him all the time and I just love the enthusiasm he brings to work. The attitude he comes into the building with every day. I'm excited to continue my career with him."
Amendola isn't the only new Lion with previous connections to Coach Patricia. Defensive end Trey Flowers played for Patricia in New England, so he knows what to expect in terms of schemes and coaching style.
"When I came to New England he was there and he kind of taught me a lot of things and I developed in his system," Flowers said at his introductory press conference. "He's just a great guy to work for.
"Obviously, he demands a high standard of excellence from his players, and when you get someone that can challenge you like that day in and day out for you to get better, that's the type of guy you want to play for."
FREE AGENCY RECAP
Get to know all the new players the Lions have signed so far:
Defensive end Trey Flowers
Cornerback Justin Coleman
Tight end Jesse James
Wide receiver Danny Amendola
Safety Andrew Adams
Offensive lineman Oday Aboushi
View photos of Detroit Lions free-agent signings Trey Flowers, Justin Coleman and Jesse James signing their contracts and meeting the media on Thursday, March 14, 2019.
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers signs a free-agent contract at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Justin Coleman signs a free-agent contract at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Jesse James signs a free-agent contract at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Justin Coleman speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Justin Coleman speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Justin Coleman speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Justin Coleman speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Justin Coleman speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Jesse James speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Jesse James speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Jesse James speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Detroit Lions training facility on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Allen Park, Mich. (Detroit Lions via AP)
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ITEMS
- The Lions announced Monday the team’s 2019 coaching staff.
- Watch NFL combine prospects talk about the current Lions they played with in college.
- See who the experts have the Lions selecting with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
- Mike O'Hara takes a look at the top 11 free-agent signings in Lions history.
