Darius Butler

[upstater1]

Film and practice. First you show you can do it in practice, and they you get to do in on the field.

Look at how Brady developed between 2000 and 2001.

Remember, Reiss all summer long and into the regular season was touting Butler as the guy who put in more work than anybody.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Finesse teams ... in the NFL???

WTF is a finesse team ... this isn't cricket or lawn bowling.

A team that isn't very physical. The Colts and the 1999-2001 Rams. You could even make a case for the 2007 Pats.

 

[The Dynasty]

A team that isn't very physical. The Colts and the 1999-2001 Rams. You could even make a case for the 2007 Pats.

2007 Pats were definitely a finesse team

 

[shirtsleeve]

and saw the yellow flags on the ground....

I like McCourty, but I've yet to see him turn his head around. He does great in run support, and when approaching a WR where he can see the play in front of him, but if it is behind him, he just doesn't turn his head.

He's a rook. He'll get better as the year goes on, and so will Arrington.

Yeah, I saw that low light too. But later in the game he got his head around and made a play on the ball to break it up. Again, I didn't see the game, just the highlights they show on all the "scoreboard" shows.

 

[IcyPatriot]

A team that isn't very physical. The Colts and the 1999-2001 Rams. You could even make a case for the 2007 Pats.

You need to go see a live game Hey Bro ...

Not all WR's or RB's or CB's hit hard but there is no finesse on the line or from the LB'ers even on teams that suck.

i cannot believe that anyone would think a team has a finesse strategy.

Did Moss put the 's' in Finesse ...

 

[shirtsleeve]

You need to go see a live game Hey Bro ...

Not all WR's or RB's or CB's hit hard but there is no finesse on the line or from the LB'ers even on teams that suck.

i cannot believe that anyone would think a team has a finesse strategy.

Did Moss put the 's' in Finesse ...

It is true that football is a physical and violent sport. I think the difference being referred to is that some teams use speed, precision and quickness on offense and defense to strike quickly and attack quickly. These teams are generally smaller and dont hit as hard. These are referred to as finesse teams. The Colts, and those Rams teams are examples. The 2007 Pats prolly filled that bill too.

Other teams are considered more physical. The Ravens and Steelers are fine examples of teams that use muscle, strength and power to beat and grind on the opponent. These teams are bigger and hit with ferocious violence.

The SB Pats were such a team and by the first blush of things, this team is returning to that style.

 

[IcyPatriot]

The SB Pats were such a team and by the first blush of things, this team is returning to that style.

i think it's no coincidence that the hitting is getting more fierce in relation to the new rules protecting QB's. You slow the passing game down by attacking the QB or the recivers and they pretty much took whacking the QB out of play.

This new rule will increase scores in the league ... which is what they really want.

 

[shirtsleeve]

i think it's no coincidence that the hitting is getting more fierce in relation to the new rules protecting QB's. You slow the passing game down by attacking the QB or the recivers and they pretty much took whacking the QB out of play.

This new rule will increase scores in the league ... which is what they really want.

There is no doubt they are trying to do that. Defenses have adapted to the rules and scores are getting more reasonable again, so to keep the FF and the mediots happy, they are gonna fiddle some more. But Rodney already solved that problem last night on NBC before the game. He stated that DB's have been brought up to target the chest when extending for a hit, because that is where the ball is. But the rules change has made the DB lift his head, which is raising the tragectory and creating more helmet to helmets. His solution was to target the belt line, keep your arms out for a wrap up, and you will hit the chest when you lift. This will also almost guarantee no flag, because your arms are out, and you are going for a tackle.

edit: this will also allow the defender to use his hands to deflect, and redirect his hit, if he is cruising toward a helmet to helmet

 

[dhamz]

Butler or Arrington is really a non-argument. Neither is a good corner and no matter which one is out there it will be a weak spot on defense. The coaching staff clearly feels Arrington is playing better.

 

[SanAngeloState]

Butler is supposed to have very good athletic ability. If he can't be coached up, then something is wrong.

 

[condon84]

I still like Butler's potential. He's got great athleticism and from what we've all seen, he's got ball skills when he's in position.

I think the biggest issue right now is knowing his assignment. Arrington playing over Butler tells me that Butler has been out of position more often than not and cannot be counted on right now to do his job.

Arrington doesn't have the speed and change of direction that Butler has, but he knows where he's supposed to be and that trumps whatever athleticism advantage Butler has. I do like Arrington's all out approach.

 

[Horace's Ivories]

Is it a coincidence that our D, including the secondary, has played much better since Butlers been out?

Seriously the Jets were just throwing it at Edwards even when Butler was literally stood next to him, and he didnt even compete for the ballI think Arrington makes mistakes (he'll hopefully learn) but he's nowhere near as bad as Butler was the first few games of the season

I think it was that one play on the TD where he didnt move much that was the death knell... at least for the time being

 

[upstater1]

I think it was that one play on the TD where he didnt move much that was the death knell... at least for the time being

You're talking about the play in the end zone where he had position and literally went to the side. He thought he was pushed in the back and to the side and was asking for an OPI, but they never showed the replay.

Unless Butler was paid to deliberately throw the game, I can't see under any circumstances other than OPI how a player standing right in front of another could jump and somehow land to the side. I mean, he started out directly in line of the ball, and ended up a few feet to the side.

How does that happen?

 

[crowell33]

Arrington played 76 out of a possible 77 plays on defense in last Sunday's win against the Ravens. Bulter played in 0 out of 77 plays.

I have an idea which player Bill Belichick feels is playing better.

Wilhite played in 9 out of the 77 plays.

 

[upstater1]

Arrington played 76 out of a possible 77 plays on defense in last Sunday's win against the Ravens. Bulter played in 0 out of 77 plays.

I have an idea which player Bill Belichick feels is playing better.

Wilhite played in 9 out of the 77 plays.

Don't forget, Wilhite started in front of Bodden last year.

Butler isn't even playing.

So, one could say Arrington is just playing (worse or better is irrelevant).

I'm pretty sure Bodden was a higher caliber player than Wilhite, but he was not starting ahead of him in the first quarter of last season. They opened the season with Wilhite and Springs.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I just go back to last season after the loss to Miami. In the locker room joking around and cackling like a couple of school kids was Butler and Merriweather as others looked on disapprovingly.

They did not seem to care in the least, all they wanted to know is where to pick up their pay checks.

 

[Horace's Ivories]

He has an attitude problem - or at least - he does now that he has been demoted - rewatch the Ravens game - he doesnt even help Welker up on the last punt return of the game - c'mon man!

 

[Deus Irae]

Reiss notes that Arrington is questionable. Butler could be starting this weekend.

Patriots CB Kyle Arrington, who started last 3 games, is questionable (groin). Darius Butler & Terrence Wheatley the top fallback options.

Twitter / Mike Reiss: Patriots CB Kyle Arrington ...

 

[Patspsycho]

I just go back to last season after the loss to Miami. In the locker room joking around and cackling like a couple of school kids was Butler and Merriweather as others looked on disapprovingly.

They did not seem to care in the least, all they wanted to know is where to pick up their pay checks.

Pray how do you know that? By what means did you gain that innermost glimpse of, not just their locker room, but also exactly what Butler and Merriweather were thinking at that very moment?

 

[upstater1]

Pray how do you know that? By what means did you gain that innermost glimpse of, not just their locker room, but also exactly what Butler and Merriweather were thinking at that very moment?

C'mon, get with the program. We need a new scapegoat.