Malcolm Butler gives advice to other would-be UDFAs

His approach after signing as an undrafted free agent: "I played like my hair was on fire. I did everything the coaches asked me to make the team. Once I made the team, I wanted to keep striving, and it was kind of hard sitting back and not playing and just playing special teams, but I would do whatever the team needed me to do. When I get my opportunity to get in the game -- you know everyone has good ones, everyone has bad ones -- but no matter what I’m going to do my best to try to play the best I can. I just took advantage of my opportunities."

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http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...999/malcolm-butler-life-has-changed-real-fast

ctpatsfan77 said:

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...999/malcolm-butler-life-has-changed-real-fast

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I just rewatched the last quarter of the SB again. M Butler played the most incredible final 2 minutes. Play after play of live or die intense challenges. As many times as we've all said it, wow, just wow. I'm looking forward to this kid's future. It's gonna be fun.

I do not think Butler will ascend to much more than he is now. BUT : he is a remarkable example of (1) perseverance (2) effort (3) desire and (4) doing your job.

I sure wish everyone's predictions/hopes regarding his career pan out. But I am not convinced. Even if he does nothing more - that second half of the SB was worth the world.

My advice to UDFA's would be if New England offer you a contract - take it.

Is there another team in the NFL that gets so much production out of undrafted guys or give them a fair chance? Butler was starting in pre-season games if you remember that far back.

He's legitimately good.

Was good in pre season and practice. There's no secret to his success. The guy is a good player.

The Pats were willing to IR Dennard, and even benched Arrington and Ryan to give Butler playing time.

The coaches trusted him more than all the other CB's we had when the season was on the line, and he proved them right.

The SeaChickens chortling on the sideline about how "They benched 25! 21 is in there on you now." Heh!

Butler will always be a hero in patriots history. Also seems like a genuinely good guy too. Will root for him next year to improve

Big-T said:

My advice to UDFA's would be if New England offer you a contract - take it.

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Unless you're a QB.

farn said:

I do not think Butler will ascend to much more than he is now. BUT : he is a remarkable example of (1) perseverance (2) effort (3) desire and (4) doing your job.

I sure wish everyone's predictions/hopes regarding his career pan out. But I am not convinced. Even if he does nothing more - that second half of the SB was worth the world.

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So you think after one year, that is as far as he will ever progress? No second year jump, no 3rd year. Just never get any better. So you either burn up the league first year, or your on your way out? Or is that just for Pats players?

farn said:

I do not think Butler will ascend to much more than he is now.

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I think I can handle Superbowl hero as someone's peak.

That said, I think he will be a solid player in this league. His head and work ethic are in the right place and he made more than one good play in the Superbowl. The coaches obviously like him. We'll see.

I'm on year 14 of being an UDFA.

I seem to recall a certain QB who got a similar start in the NFL. I think he's had a decent career. It could happen for Butler. This is best place to prove it.

Is Butler going to be the version of Tom Brady on defense for us? He sure sound like when they asked Brady how he was when he was a backup QB. Almost the same story happened, once they got their chance they started to shine like nobody's business. What if this kid turns out to be a star like Brady is on offense?

farn said:

I do not think Butler will ascend to much more than he is now. BUT : he is a remarkable example of (1) perseverance (2) effort (3) desire and (4) doing your job.

I sure wish everyone's predictions/hopes regarding his career pan out. But I am not convinced. Even if he does nothing more - that second half of the SB was worth the world.

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There is no reason not to be optimistic about this kid's future. The fact that he forced the coaches to keep him on the roster and earned playing time amongst a very deep and talented secondary is a testament to his talent. Malcolm played a few years at a D2 school before this and a junior college before that. There should be plenty of improvement to be made just from more playing experience alone. I really don't think the super bowl was a fluke, he had some low points over the season of course but he also showed good instincts and ball skills throughout the year and has reportedly help to make things fairly challenging for TB and the offense in practice. I guess there's a chance he doesn't progress a whole lot which would leave him as a solid 3rd/4th cb. Afterall the SB was certainly his best performance and it came against Seattle's less-than-stellar receivers. But I think there's plenty of reason to believe he can develop into a good-very good #2 down the road.

This is how the Pats got great, it does not matter where you went to school and how well you did at the combine. If you have the heart, desire and talent to do the "hard work", you can achieve great things with this team... the belief that any of these guys can be "coached up" is an overwhelming theme..

What may have held Butler back is that he was not recognized coming out of high school as having D-1 potential, so he went the JuCo route & Div II route and not being a good student may have impeded his recognition..

Meritocracy?? If you do your job good things happen, if you do not the opposite happens.. time and time again we have seen free agents come in from other teams only to fail in this system, we have seen marginal players from other teams come in and BB recognizes their strengths and puts them in a position to succeed.

The people haven spoken : they believe in Malcolm Butler.

Again - while hoping you are right and I am wrong - I just do not think Butler will be more than a 4th CB. Many times in professional sports, for one moment in time, athletes transcend their given ability and make an out of this world play. I think that happened Sunday.

I HOPE Butler becomes the next Ty Law ! But I am saying that I believe he will be a back up CB. There is nothing wrong with that.

Big-T said:

My advice to UDFA's would be if New England offer you a contract - take it.

Is there another team in the NFL that gets so much production out of undrafted guys or give them a fair chance? Butler was starting in pre-season games if you remember that far back.

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This. This is so so true. One of BB's greatest attributes is that he wants to win - so much so that he is not hindered by the pride that limits HCs all over the league. He will play the UDFA ahead of the second rounder anytime it helps him win.