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

RelocatedPatFan said:

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).

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Naw, he clearly swiped at his feet, but it was subtle enough that he got away with it. There was one camera angle where it was clear he swatted at the guy's foot and tripped him. I just googled it to find it but couldn't, all that came up was this other peculiar play where he intercepted a ball in the end zone...I wonder what that's all about?

PP2 said:

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

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Yeah Revis didn't quit it was clearly a pick play.

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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Like PP said, Revis got picked by the ref (notice him take a small step forward?) I guess I can add this to my league conspiracy list (Ravens game with apocalyptically-bad calls, Defame-gate distraction before SB).

1960Pats said:

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

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That doesn't get him on the field if he isn't the best player. No coaching decisions are made based upon fond memories. At least not here.

AndyJohnson said:

That doesn't get him on the field if he isn't the best player. No coaching decisions are made based upon fond memories. At least not here.

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Jonas Grey and Sterling Moore will attest to that.

AndyJohnson said:

That doesn't get him on the field if he isn't the best player. No coaching decisions are made based upon fond memories. At least not here.

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Bill doesn't have a sentimental coaching bone in his entire body. That's why we love him.

I was referring to the fans' treatment of Butler. He'd have to mess up an awful lot.

Butler follows up a rough day yesterday by forcing Breed to go 0-2 throwing at him today. Gotta love that! Corrects it and moves on. Swag!

signbabybrady said:

Butler follows up a rough day yesterday by forcing Breed to go 0-2 throwing at him today. Gotta love that! Corrects it and moves on. Swag!

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Under normal circumstances, I'd be more cautious of getting too high on Butler. But then I heard that Belichick told Rodney Harrison in TC last year that he liked Butler. I have to believe that Bill knows what he's talking about.

Every time I think of Butler's SB play a big grin takes over my face. I can try to stop it but it still comes. Soon it will turn into a huge smile, like it is right now.

Then I can't help but laugh at the multiple clown cars that make up the NYFL. As hard as they huff and puff and try to blow the Pats house down, the team just keeps rolling along.

Thank you Malcolm for not allowing them to take it away.

neuronet said:

Naw, he clearly swiped at his feet, but it was subtle enough that he got away with it. There was one camera angle where it was clear he swatted at the guy's foot and tripped him. I just googled it to find it but couldn't, all that came up was this other peculiar play where he intercepted a ball in the end zone...I wonder what that's all about?

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Agree on the swipe. I can't remember the word for it, but it's the same tactic that animals sometimes use to take down prey they're chasing. I actually remember doing it as a kid while playing football. Players go down pretty fast at a time when they think they're in the clear, like the Hawk player did.

The great play was about ability and coaching, and the reactions to it have been priceless.

PP2 said:

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

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I know, but he didn't seem to try hard and fight through it.

fnordcircle said:

This site is so tame you guys. I still giggle at people who actually use the ignore list.

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Hehe yea, I would pretty much never put someone on ignore.. you need all personalities in the equation

We're all just a big, f***ed up family

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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Less than Revis

JarOfMayo51 said:

Hehe yea, I would pretty much never put someone on ignore.. you need all personalities in the equation

We're all just a big, f***ed up family

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I can't fathom a functioning adult who has to use the ignore function. There's lots of people on here who annoy me but that doesn't mean I have to shield my precious, fragile ego from their posts.

You'd have to be posting Jared from Subway's personal photo collection for me to need to ignore you. And then I'd narc on your ass cause **** Jared from Subway.

eom said:

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Kevin Duffy ‏@KevinRDuffy 13m13 minutes ago

According to @PFF, Roethlisberger was 10-11 for 151 yards and a touchdown when targeting Malcolm Butler.

Antonio Brown had his way with Butler. I thought Butler actually played pretty good coverage, but he's simply not talented enough to compete with someone like Antonio

I wouldn't use Antonio Brown as a measuring stick for Butler. You're practically using one of the best receivers on the league on a 2nd year UFA. Give Butler some time, I'm sure he'll prove himself worthy.

...Actually he already has.

Butler embodies what a NE Patriot should be. He's all heart and effort. He's the antithesis of Revis, who made everything look effortless because he was just too damn good. Butler tries so hard, he certainly doesn't make it look effortless--he's a grinder. I love how he's in the receivers face 99% of the time. Sometimes he gets too close or overpursues, but that's part of the learning. I think Butler is going to be great...what I'm worried about is the daily grind for him...can he take care of his body and be healthy all season.

eom said:

Kevin Duffy ‏@KevinRDuffy 13m13 minutes ago

According to @PFF, Roethlisberger was 10-11 for 151 yards and a touchdown when targeting Malcolm Butler.

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I think it was 9-10 for 133.

He burned Butler twice for 70 yards.

He made an impossible catch against perfect coverage - give Brown all the credit.
He caught the TD with Butler in perfect position. Perfect throw and Butler just missed the ball with his wave.
He caught two crossing routes, one, like the TD, in garbage time.
The rest were bubble screens.

Butler was more than fine. He was right there on all but two plays and he was covering 1-on-1 possibly the best receiver in football. Rothlisberger checked down from Brown a bunch of times, it seemed, because Butler was right there with him.

For example, on one big pick-up to Wheaton near the end, look at the shorter route, where Butler is manhandling Brown.

If BB didn't love the kid, he would never have put him in that position, and I doubt BB comes away from that game with less confidence.

1960Pats said:

Bill doesn't have a sentimental coaching bone in his entire body. That's why we love him.

I was referring to the fans' treatment of Butler. He'd have to mess up an awful lot.

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I'll have to disagree slightly. BB seems to have a soft spot for receivers who have no intention of putting in the work to learn our offense.

Not really a criticism, he's the greatest ever, given salary cap constrictions. But he's sentimental about football and sometimes really wants a receiver he loves to fit.

Malcolm should be fine. Yeah he got abused by one of the best receivers in the league, one on one mind you. But he also fought hard and was in decent position on several occasions but Brown is just too damn good.

Fletcher on the other hand? God he's going to be brutal this season...