Butler shaped by second chances

A really wonderful article about Butler:
http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story...atriots-super-bowl-hero-shaped-second-chances

Nice article by Manhands McMullen.

Bobsyouruncle said:

Nice article by Manhands McMullen.

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That's uncalled for....

Jackie knows basketball and Jackie is great at writing profile stories like this one. Where Jackie fails sometimes is when she tries to comment on things she doesn't know anything about, like football.

The best Butler article I've seen, including some great new information on the preparation involved in the interception. Still, this sudden intense new fame is going to be very hard to handle I think.

Ken Canin said:

The best Butler article I've seen, including some great new information on the preparation involved in the interception. Still, this sudden intense new fame is going to be very hard to handle I think.

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I think everyone (including fans) have to re-adjust expectations here. I mean, Butler could become Revis 2.0 and it still would be a disappointment compared to Super Bowl hero winning the championship on one of the most incredible plays in the history of the game. That's simply not going to happen all the time (although we can dream).

There's a real chance he could still only be our 3rd or 4th corner on the depth chart next season, and that would be a big jump for him. He's not going to morph into a first-ballot HOFer after that one play, although who knows? Over a few years, maybe he will The point is that he's got a long way to go, he's still got a lot to learn because he didn't play that much this year, and he's going to make mistakes as he goes along. The key is that he keeps learning from them.

Just like that final play, he botched it in practice, took the coaching, then applied it in the game. Keep doing that. Fans have to be patient with him and realize he's still not a HOFer and he's still learning the game. Not every play is going to be a championship winner.

Made a copy and will read it later in the day, McMullen is in the upper echelon of sports reporting in this area...

The jury is still out on Butler, is he a Jonas Gray or a real prodigy?? Stay tuned, great story though.

Spygate, Deflategate. Connect the dots and it appears to be more of the same, a haughty coach obsessed with winning who will do anything to get an edge -- and will gleefully tweak the league office in the process.

Therein lies Belichick's problem. A man who has made football his life's work, whose reverence for the game and its history is well-documented, has forever forfeited the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his own integrity.

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Why can't the coach trust his players' talents and his own intellect and lean on the excellence of the organization he has so painstakingly built into a sustainable football juggernaut? It's like a prizefighter pummeling his opponent for six straight rounds, then feeling compelled to throw a sucker punch after the bell has sounded. Why? You had the fight won.

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- Muckraker Macmullen

Won't read anything by that she-hack.

I dont think Butler is sterling moore 2.0 or Jonas Gray 2.0(although I think his dip has more to do with blount)

The superbowl wasnt his first playing time all year. I remember him matched up against Sanders in the Denver game at times and in other games. and whenever his name was called he seemd to make a play on the ball. being able to know when the ball is coming to the receiver is a very instctive thing that cant be taught. Butler seems to have it. he made about 4-5 great plays before the pick in the superbowl.

I think he could jump ahead of Logan Ryan. If/when we keep revis I still think our top 3 are Revis/Browner/Arrington(slot) and then will be butler depending on matchups