BradyMossWelker

And btw, Arrington started against Buffalo, and it proves you right, perfect defensive game.
In 5 games played, 3 started, Arrington has zero pass defended.
And Butler faced Ochocinco and Braylon Edwards.

groundgame

Arrington: C
Butler: F

shirtsleeve

Add up all the comments here and we have the answer. Butler is physically much more talented. good hips, shadows his reciever well, but just hasn't grasped the skills to turn and find the ball for the break up. That means the reciever will just catch the ball over him. And his tackling is lacking. Arrington has fewer talents but tackles, wraps up and supports the run better.

I blame coaching. The position coach (boyer? brown?) should be putting extra time in with both of these kids, especially Butler. I see a similar problem with McCourty too. Early in the season, I mentioned to a friend during a game that I had never seen so many passes completed over such closely covered recievers as when Butler and McCourty were out there. Both were in the pocket of the reciever and neither was finishing the play.

McCourty however is playing the rest of his game at a much higher level, and I saw a highlight yesterday of him getting his head around and breaking up a play. That is a big step.

CheeseMonkeys

One thing I said right after Bodden's injury was that there was a possibility that Butler or McCourty could play poorly from being rushed onto the field and lose their confidence. Butler has played poorly and I hope that he hasn't lost his confidence as a result of this.

You blame coaching, yet you have no idea that it is even the coach's fault. What makes you think that they haven't spent many extra hours with Butler and McCourty trying to prepare them and to get things right? Some Players just have a hard time getting things right and Butler may be one of them.

sieglo

Getting hit in the back by a fast moving football will tend to make people more aware after a while.

WhiteWesWelker88

Arrington is PhysicalButler is playing sloppy and he cannot hit

Synovia

ALL of the Pats DBs do this. Its clearly a coaching issue, and has been for a while.


The only one I've seen who doesn't do it is Bodden, and he didn't get trained up by this staff.

crowell33

Yes, you are correct. The Patriots are undefeated, 3 -0 with Arrington as the starting cornerback.

BradyMossWelker

You're right. He's our MVP, All-Pro corner right there. Which defensive player gives 3 wins to his team all by himself? I can say Arrington is a once in a lifetime player.

Deus Irae

Butler seemed to lose all confidence at a time when the team simply couldn't afford that in the defensive backfield, and he wasn't playing sound football in either technique or scheme. This defense isn't good enough to train talent on the job if there's a better player that can be plugged in. Arrington isn't a better player, but he's playing within the scheme and isn't getting beaten deep and wide with the frequency that Butler was.

Butler was in the doghouse for a portion of last year, too. In all likelihood, he'll get another chance to prove himself as a starter before the season is over.

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