I can't help it - I'm getting excited about Malcolm Butler

Reiss comparing Malcolm Butler to Randy Moss is....interesting.

Schmo said:

he made perhaps the greatest single play in the history of the NFL's greatest franchise immediately after giving up one of the most unlucky/demoralizing plays a CB could give up.

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What is amazing is that he played the ball against Kearse just about perfectly. Butler was on fire in the fourth quarter of the SB. Even when he tripped that guy because Butler was falling down, that was an amazing play, a calculated risk that payed off and was clearly the right thing to do.

If we could get just a little of that fire in the regular season, we will be good. One thing we definitely know: when the pressure is on, Malcolm Butler rises to the occasion. That cannot be said of everyone (cough cough Asante).

In terms of the Patriots not coaching up good CBs in recent years, that may be changing.

It seems that last season BB changed his defensive coaching philosophy for his backs from "keep your eye on the player" to "turn around and go for the ball". He was very explicit about this in the press conference before the game against the Ravens. I think the player-focus was holding them back, as it was like we had backs playing like it was 2005 still, had not really adapted well to the new rules and style of play (especially with QBs like jump-ball Joe).

(Though ask Sterling Moore how much that "focus on the player" philosophy held back our team... [he recently signed with the Bucs, I wish him well when not playing us...he deserves a spot in the Patriots hall of one-game heroes.])

fnordcircle said:

Isn't that typical for a BB defense? I swear I remember reading that they believed in having a corner play a side rather than playing matchups because it allows the corner to always know their orientation relative to the sidelines without having to think about it or something.

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Yes, but it isn't that Butler isn't moving that's important, it's the fact that he isn't moving from the position where NE generally places their top CB.

Oswlek said:

Yes, but it isn't that Butler isn't moving that's important, it's the fact that he isn't moving from the position where NE generally places their top CB.

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Wasn't the left side where they had Revis?

rochrist said:

Wasn't the left side where they had Revis?

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Initially, but they ended up moving him around as the season went on. Historically, though, the team plays its top CB on the left side.

I have been a fan of his since training camp last year. However, I wonder how much he will cost, if he plays very well this year.

Oswlek said:

Initially, but they ended up moving him around as the season went on. Historically, though, the team plays its top CB on the left side.

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Well, I don't remember seeing him play on the right at all, but it's all good, because I misread your OP. I thought you were saying Butler /wasn't/ playing where NE generally plays their top CB.

Sounds like Butler had things go a little rocky in the practice against the Saints. Not the worst thing in the world for him to have some struggles here… You don't want things to be too easy for him too fast.

Nunchucks said:

I have been a fan of his since training camp last year. However, I wonder how much he will cost, if he plays very well this year.

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That's two-years-from-now's problem.

If two years from now, "Butler ended up being really good and can command a lot of money" is a problem confronting the Pats, I'll be very happy with that.

How much would you pay someone to help win the Super Bowl with an interception in the closing minutes? It was vindication. If he earns that next contract then I say it's deserved.

eom said:

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It's one bad day out of many impressive showings throughout this training season. Before we back out of our enthusiasm, let's wait and see how Butler progresses

Chiuba E. Obele said:

It's one bad day out of many otherwise impressive ones throughout this training season. Before we back out of our enthusiasm, let's wait and see how Butler progresses

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The Brandon Five said:

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I always hated how Revis quit so early on that. The ball was in mid-air when he slowed down & turned around to complain.

http://www.patriots.com/news/2015/0...uggles-patriotssaints-practice-blogservations

[...]Less than a week after showing up relatively well in a preseason-opening battle with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his Packers offense in Foxborough, Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler was on the wrong end of the competitive ledger more often than not in a matchup with Drew Brees’ impressive passing attack.

From 1-on-1 drills to 7-on-7 action and right though 11-on-11 snaps, Butler was picked apart by the precision passing of Brees. As Butler develops, progresses and evolves from Div. II undrafted rookie to now the presumed starting left cornerback on Bill Belichick’s retooled defense, this was probably his worst practice session since arriving in New England.

Let's see if Butler can turn it around

JMC00 said:

Can't wait for all the trolls, chicken littles and contrarians to say how much he sucks if he gives up a few catches to Antonio Brown opening night.

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Malcolm Butler has a Get Out of Jail Free card. Making the greatest defensive play in NFL history will do that.

aluminum seats said:

Sounds like Butler had things go a little rocky in the practice against the Saints. Not the worst thing in the world for him to have some struggles here… You don't want things to be too easy for him too fast.

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If we start hearing about Brees lighting him up today again and in Saturdays game, I'll be a little worried but not much. Its gonna be his first year starting in the pros. I expect games like that once in a while.

neuronet said:

Even when he tripped that guy because Butler was falling down, that was an amazing play, a calculated risk that payed off and was clearly the right thing to do.

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I remember that play and, to me, it really only looked like he was bracing himself for the fall and wasn't swiping at the Seahawk receivers feet. I recall Collinsworth immediately saying it was a blatant penalty and I couldn't agree (not that I was shocked by him thinking the Pats did something wrong).

TBR said:

I always hated how Revis quit so early on that. The ball was in mid-air when he slowed down & turned around to complain.

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Look at the play again, it's the good old "using the ref as a pick" cross route.