Malcolm Butler:One hit wonder (Sterling Moore 2.0) or legit?

Slagathor said:

There is one game that I would categorize his play as anything close to brilliant. That was the first Indy game. He's had a couple of similar games in his time here and those few games have built up enough equity with some fans that they are willing to let him slide on his overall mediocre to average play.

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You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I see it differently. Respect.

PatsFan2 said:

Malcom Butler has better balls skills than Logan cushion Ryan and Klye jekl/hyde Harrington. I like Butler's upside across from Revis. That said with 32nd Pick in 2015 NFL Draft I would take a CB.

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well its a Good thing that you don't make the pats draft decisions, just because its a shiny new toy doesn't mean it will be better than Arrington or Ryan. If the Pats keep Revis longterm then taking a CB in the first would seem really stupid

Moore is now a decent corner for the Cowboys, so if Butler ends up developing like him, then great.

Froob said:

Wouldn't be surprised if he passes Logan Ryan for good. Logan Ryan has looked real good at times but he's also been beaten like a rag doll at times too especially in the Green Bay game. Perhaps we would have even won if Butler had played #3. But, that's all water under the fridge now WOLRD CHAMPS!! Rodgers can have his plaque doesn't mean much without the real hardware.

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Ed Reed was killing Ryan on Inside the NFL. Said that Ryan should have outright tackled Mathews on the TD right before the half. That would put them at the 1 yard line with 2 seconds. No way they don't take the FG at that point.

Froob said:

I could see that. Interested to see what Chung gives us going forward. Wish J-Mac wasn't locked up, I'd kill to have two McCourtys at safety.

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I'd kill to have one.

Oswlek said:

Arrington is an odd duck. It all depends on the match up with him because he's glue on a terrific receiver like TY Hilton and then he's a mess on some random dude. Ryan was a disapp0intment, I was confident he'd be a valuable contributor but he got progressively worse as the season went on.

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And match ups are the job of the coaches. When put in the right place to make a play, Arrington has been very good indeed.

Yes, I hope that Butler is as good as Moore, starting for a playoff team in the NFL several years from now.

For now, he comes into camp competing for backup reps behind Revis, Browner and Arrington. I do believe that Butler has the edge over Dennard and Ryan. Ryan will make the team as an inexpensive backup DB and STer. As of now, I would expect to start the season with 6 corners and 4 safeties. There certainly is a place for Butler on the 53.

The Brandon Five said:

Ed Reed was killing Ryan on Inside the NFL. Said that Ryan should have outright tackled Mathews on the TD right before the half. That would put them at the 1 yard line with 2 seconds. No way they don't take the FG at that point.

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Well, if it's one play from the 1 they probably actually take a chance at punching it in. But yeah, that coverage was a major situational-awareness lapse on Ryan's part, and tape of that play will be shown in the Pats' meeting rooms for years to come.

Arrington isn't able to cover on the outside, or very tall receivers. He is however a fine SLOT CB he has smothered Welker prior to his precipitous decline as well as Hilton.

He is also an very good ST player.

HE isn't Revis but he shouldn't get torched for attempting to do that which he is not good at. He is a good player when he is in the correct role.

Butler isn't tall either but he seems to be able to work both the slot and outside, he could be very solid for years to come.

I agree that Ryan is best suited for Safety. Both he and McCourty are Zone cover guys as CB, they don't work well as press man CB's

What I would like to see at CB if Dennard is healthy is Revis, Browner, Butler, Dennard and Arrington as our CB's. Ryan going to Safety.

Don't forget, Butler made a good play in the first half, as well. Mentioning that he kind of felt responsible for the play that led to the interception is more character stuff...team stuff; wanting to get one back for the team. When he followed this up with what he read on the big play and how his preparation placed him in a position to succeed...more great stuff. However, the sheer driven will to jump out in front- as Wilson's arm was getting rid of the ball -was absolute clutch intuition driven by team and preparation...way past awesome stuff!

Started watching the season again starting from the preseason. Butler has been showing up all over. Preseason game 2 against Philly.... anybody remember that strip and recovery?

patsfan13 said:

Arrington isn't able to cover on the outside, or very tall receivers. He is however a fine SLOT CB he has smothered Welker prior to his precipitous decline as well as Hilton.

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I have no idea why they had Arrington on Matthews to begin with. That decision nearly cost the Pats the game.

I feel that this is a stupid question to post.

Moore isn't a "one hit wonder" as he's playing decently for Dallas right now.

Butler played well all game. It isn't like he just made one lucky play. He had a great pre-season, played well in practice (according to all players/coaches) and he made a few key stops in the SuperBowl. His talent is already much more visible than Sterling Moores ever was.

IMHO (as one who does not even know Malcom Butler), I'll throw this out...the guy- according to his teammates -has been getting balls since he came to camp; stood out right away...who is that guy? Fact: BB had Butler practice that play- that won the Super Bowl -in practice...a play in which he did not always get right. It was explained to him what he had to do (i.e. get the ball) to succeed. Why do you think the kid was able to go into details about his preparation on that play in such great details immediately after it happened? Of course, Mr. Kraft was quoted on NESN recently on topic...watched BB coach Butler on how to make this play happen. He did. Yeah, the kid is coach-able and it appears...consistently improving. In addition, he's humbling finding his way on a team that can build character.

The Brandon Five said:

I have no idea why they had Arrington on Matthews to begin with. That decision nearly cost the Pats the game.

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And on top of that, Browner said he had to go and lobby for them to put him on Matthews. WTH?
One thing I take from BB's comment about comms break down is that in 07, their comms might have failed and they could not communicate what they wanted to Hobbs. Anyhow, I am glad I am not sweating it out at night thinking about that end of the first half. If we had lost, it would have been due to that.

vuudu said:

And on top of that, Browner said he had to go and lobby for them to put him on Matthews. WTH?
One thing I take from BB's comment about comms break down is that in 07, their comms might have failed and they could not communicate what they wanted to Hobbs. Anyhow, I am glad I am not sweating it out at night thinking about that end of the first half. If we had lost, it would have been due to that.

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It also would explain why no one over-ruled Seau on that asinine blitz on the game-losing play. Harrison has said that he was telling Junior to change the call. I am sure that if the comms were working that Belichick and Pees would have done the same.

It's a physical game and 15+ years took their toll on poor Junior. May he rest in peace.

@MikeReiss: Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler is headed to Boston's Children's Hospital today. Says he is looking forward to meeting patients.

As I've been enjoying every article on topic (i.e. Super Bowl), I came across this bit:

"Butler sniffed out the play perfectly, but plenty of credit goes to the 6-foot-4, 221-pound Browner, who prevented Kearse from accomplishing his intended pick on Butler."

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2015/02/patriots-se...ception-not-malcolm-butlers-only-strong-play/

After watching this a few times, I understood the statement. However, I did not remember this bit during the game...got too carried away with the (desired) result. So, when they tell you it was a TEAM WIN, they weren't kidding.