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Malcolm Butler: Things are looking up
I think the Patriots will find a place for Butler as a slot corner, and I expect him to be a significant contributor for some time to come. Based on what I saw on Super Sunday, he seems to have a real feel for the game, reminiscent of former Cowboys defensive back Everson Walls, who led the NFL in interceptions in his first two years in the league. Butler just seemed to know where the ball was. This isn't based solely on that last-minute interception, either. Butler really jumped out to me on Sunday, showing his ability at several spots throughout the contest.
Consider the role he played in killing a Seahawks drive that could have changed the course of the game late in the third quarter. Seattle was threatening to build on its 10-point lead after reaching midfield on a 25-yard bomb to Ricardo Lockette. On first-and-10, Butler came up to tackle Marshawn Lynch, holding him to a 2-yard gain. On second-and-8, Butler wrapped up Jermaine Kearse after a short completion on the right side, keeping him well behind the first-down marker. Finally, on third-and-2, Butler made an athletic play to break up a deep shot to Kearse on the left. Rather than pushing into Pats territory, the Seahawks were forced to punt -- thanks largely to Butler.
Butler also nearly picked off an incomplete throw to Kearse with 1:55 left in the game. Yes, he technically "gave up" that amazing, multi-bobble 33-yard catch by Kearse that set up Seattle's fateful goal-line chance -- but Butler had Kearse covered really well, and he had the awareness to get up and knock the receiver out of bounds, preventing an easy score. And, of course, Butler capped it all off withthe interception of a lifetime, driving to the ball and making good on a lesson he'd learned in practice.
Butler's story is truly something. After stints at Hinds Community College in Mississippi and working at a Popeyes restaurant, he landed at West Alabama, then went undrafted and unsigned, untilPatriots cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer called to bring him in for a tryout. Butler signed with New England on May 19, and he didn't play a ton in 2014. But when he did see the field, he was effective, allowing just 54.6 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed, the eighth-best burn rate among cornerbacks with 25 to 40 targets. His rise is a testament to the super job New England does with coaching and with teaching technique. Butler might not be All-Pro-caliber, but the Pats seem to have landed a solid player simply by digging a little bit deeper than everyone else.
Malcolm Butler: Things are looking up
I think the Patriots will find a place for Butler as a slot corner, and I expect him to be a significant contributor for some time to come. Based on what I saw on Super Sunday, he seems to have a real feel for the game, reminiscent of former Cowboys defensive back Everson Walls, who led the NFL in interceptions in his first two years in the league. Butler just seemed to know where the ball was. This isn't based solely on that last-minute interception, either. Butler really jumped out to me on Sunday, showing his ability at several spots throughout the contest.
Consider the role he played in killing a Seahawks drive that could have changed the course of the game late in the third quarter. Seattle was threatening to build on its 10-point lead after reaching midfield on a 25-yard bomb to Ricardo Lockette. On first-and-10, Butler came up to tackle Marshawn Lynch, holding him to a 2-yard gain. On second-and-8, Butler wrapped up Jermaine Kearse after a short completion on the right side, keeping him well behind the first-down marker. Finally, on third-and-2, Butler made an athletic play to break up a deep shot to Kearse on the left. Rather than pushing into Pats territory, the Seahawks were forced to punt -- thanks largely to Butler.
Butler also nearly picked off an incomplete throw to Kearse with 1:55 left in the game. Yes, he technically "gave up" that amazing, multi-bobble 33-yard catch by Kearse that set up Seattle's fateful goal-line chance -- but Butler had Kearse covered really well, and he had the awareness to get up and knock the receiver out of bounds, preventing an easy score. And, of course, Butler capped it all off withthe interception of a lifetime, driving to the ball and making good on a lesson he'd learned in practice.
Butler's story is truly something. After stints at Hinds Community College in Mississippi and working at a Popeyes restaurant, he landed at West Alabama, then went undrafted and unsigned, untilPatriots cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer called to bring him in for a tryout. Butler signed with New England on May 19, and he didn't play a ton in 2014. But when he did see the field, he was effective, allowing just 54.6 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed, the eighth-best burn rate among cornerbacks with 25 to 40 targets. His rise is a testament to the super job New England does with coaching and with teaching technique. Butler might not be All-Pro-caliber, but the Pats seem to have landed a solid player simply by digging a little bit deeper than everyone else.
