It was a familiar face that attracted veteran receiver Danny Amendola to sign with the Detroit Lions in free agency on Monday.
"Just my relationship with coach (Matt) Patricia," he said on a conference call after signing a free-agent deal with the team Monday morning to fill their slot receiver opening. "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."
View photos of wide receiver Danny Amendola.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) is upende after a catch in action against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, site of Super Bowl XLII. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots' Dwayne Allen (83) chases Miami Dolphins' Danny Amendola (80) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) in action during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Raiders, 28-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) lines up out wide during a week 3 NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami won 28-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs the ball, during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) is tripped up by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brent Grimes (24) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Miami Dolphins Danny Amendola (80) runs with the ball, during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, on, August 25,2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots' Danny Amendola runs back a kickoff against the New York Jets during an NFL football game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2016. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) is tripped up Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brent Grimes (24) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack)
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) chases down New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs after the catch during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 in Foxborough, Mass. Kansas City won 42-27. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots' Danny Amendola runs back a kickoff against the New York Jets during an NFL football game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2016. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) is seen prior to a play during a NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens,FL. (Logan Bowles via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) makes a reception during an NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) warms up prior to a NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs a route during a week 8 NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 in Houston. Houston won 42-23. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) kneels during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Raiders, 28-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
RAW FILE - St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola, left, celebrates after catching a 1-yard pass for a touchdown as teammate Brandon Gibson looks on during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) in action during a regular season Week 8 NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Houston. The Texans beat the Dolphins 42-23. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Texas Tech wide receiver Danny Amendola carries the ball in a college football game against Oklahoma State, in Stillwater, Okla, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007. Oklahoma State defender Jacob Lacey is at right. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) holds the Lamar Hunt AFC Championship trophy after the NFL AFC Championship football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) lines up out wide during a week 3 NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami won 28-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as he is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive back Tony Jefferson (23) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs after the catch during to an NFL AFC divisional playoff football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 34-16. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola scores a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) makes a reception and runs upfield during the first half of the NFL AFC Championship football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) makes a reception during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Marc Serota/AP Images via Panini)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) makes a touchdown reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs from Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brian Poole (34) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs a route during a week 14 NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami won 27-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots' Danny Amendola runs against Atlanta Falcons' Brian Poole during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2016, file photo, New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif. Amendola said Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, he's "feeling good" and hasn't had any setbacks while recovering from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the past month. He wouldn't say whether he planned to play in Saturday's divisional round matchup with Houston, but said he's available for whatever the coaching staff asks. ((AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola. right, and Jacksonville Jaguars PK Josh Scobee during a NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Texas Tech wide receiver Danny Amendola carries the ball against Oklahoma in the fourth quarter of a college football game in Stillwater, Okla, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) celebrates during an NFL AFC divisional playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. New England won 35-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) throws the ball to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in a trick play that fails during the NFL Super Bowl LII game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, February 4, 2018, in Minneapolis, Minn. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs upfield during the NFL football Super Bowl LI game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34 - 28 in overtime. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New England Patriots' Danny Amendola (80) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs after the catch during an NFL Super Bowl LII football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 in Minneapolis. Philadelphia won 41-33. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs for yardage after a catch in action against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, site of Super Bowl XLII. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) makes a reception during an NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) on the field during an NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28 in overtime. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) makes a reception and runs upfield during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium, Thursday, September 7, 2017 in Foxborough, Mass. The Chiefs defeated the Patriots 42-27. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Danny Amendola #11 during the NFL game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Philadelphia Eagles on August 27th 2009. The Eagles won 33-32 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Brian Garfinkel)
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola breaks free of Minnesota Vikings safety Husain Abdullah during to run down field for 93 yards and score a touchdown during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, in St Louis. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) runs the football during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Falcons, 23-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) sets for play during the NFL football Super Bowl LI game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34 - 28 in overtime. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Texas Tech receiver Danny Amendola (20) is tackled by Southern Methodist's Randall Goode (10) in the first half of a football game Saturday night, Sept. 2, 2006, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Joe Don Buckner)
New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) makes a catch while defended by Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) in action Sunday October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola (16) outruns San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nate Clements (22) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola (16) is tripped up by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Michael Adams (27) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in St. Louis. Arizona won 21-13. (AP Photo/Jeff Curry)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Danny Amendola (18) during NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola (16) heads downfield during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009 in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 35-0. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Amendola spent last season with the Miami Dolphins and played five seasons before that with the Patriots, where Patricia was the defensive coordinator. The two won two Super Bowl titles together in New England.
The 33-year-old veteran is coming off a 59-catch, 577-yard season with the Dolphins in 15 games played. He's amassed 485 catches over a 10-year career with the Dolphins, Patriots and Rams. He's reached more than 600 receiving yards in a season five times throughout his career, most recently in New England in 2017. He also gives the Lions another option at punt returner, having returned 185 punts over his career with 9.5 average yards per return.
Amendola said he can't wait to get started learning Darrell Bevell's new system in Detroit and to start working with quarterback Matthew Stafford and fellow receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. Amendola and Stafford both grew up in Texas together, so Amendola joked that he was happy to be joining forces with another "Texas kid."
"He has every throw in the book," Amendola said of Stafford. "He can do a lot of great things, so I'm excited to get started with him and working with him."
Amendola had a 79.6 percent catch rate in the slot last season, which is the percentage of receptions compared to targets on balls thrown when a receiver is playing in the slot. That was the second-highest percentage of any slot receiver in the NFL last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
"I feel really good," Amendola said of heading into his 11th season. "I'm in the best condition of my life, I'm as fast as I've ever been and I'm as hungry as ever. I'm ready to play at a high level and do whatever I can to help this team win."
