Reiss suggests the Pats might be concerned with Butler off the field

[neckroll#14]

I interpreted "off the field" to mean his agent... that comes under that category. They almost had a deal last year, now this rookie agent is pumping up Butler's head with dollar signs and acting as if the player is a UFA. I think the team just doesn't want to deal with representation who doesn't understand the written and unwritten rules of the league..

 

[DaBronxPats14]

I agree. It's a speculation piece.

But I have no doubt he's hearing something from someone.

Yup! When I read this I thought for someone who really had nothin to say, he had a lot to say but looks like he's holding back saying it but he threw it out there anyway.

 

[varjao]

What a garbage piece by Reiss

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Nothin to see here. Slow day at his keyboard,
26 yr old Gilmore is married with two children. 27 yr old Butler is single.
Thanx Mike, saved me time lookin that up on Wiki.

I know companies view married employees with kids as more stable employees, BUT when healthy, a very single Rob Gronkowski ( with an active social life) does his football job with the best that have ever played TE....and I recall a certain QB who was single winning 3 Super Bowls so being single shouldn't be viewed as a hindrance....
I was single at 27 and would hate to have had that used against me.......

 

[Tony2046]

It's either;
a) A disinformation campaign by the Pat's front office via Reiss to impugn Butler's character and justify the split.
b) There is something character-wise there but Reiss can't report it because he doesn't have enough evidence.
c) Reiss is speculating to fill space and time and casting aspersions on Butler when he has done nothing wrong....

I wonder if, after the circus surrounding a certain Tight End who shall not be named, but currently stands trial in a double homicide, the team is just a bit more careful about due diligence when giving out long term extensions.. In all the stories about Butler, has anyone seen anything to remotely question his actions off the field? I haven't seen any...and hope that the Pats' front office isn't resorting to dirty tricks to smear him.........I hope it is just Reiss speculating because I'd like to think that Butler is a stand up guy and that there is "nothing there".

Is this BB playing hardball with Butler's agent??

 

[Addictive]

I know companies view married employees with kids as more stable employees, BUT when healthy, a very single Rob Gronkowski ( with an active social life) does his football job with the best that have ever played TE....and I recall a certain QB who was single winning 3 Super Bowls so being single shouldn't be viewed as a hindrance....
I was single at 27 and would hate to had that used against me.......

I was about to write a post and say most of what is said here.

Ridiculous that the Patriots would feel uncomfortable about whether one of their players was married versus single.

Now is there part of Butler's life that the Patriot's aren't happy with which they have inside information on .... perhaps.

But for MR to write an article without giving any evidence is bad journalism. And I have a lot of respect for MR who works really hard and interacts with fans through social media.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yup! When I read this I thought for someone who really had nothin to say, he had a lot to say but looks like he's holding back saying it but he threw it out there anyway.

I agree with posters that Reiss should have held back on writing this. Without citing his source it's really a hit piece.

I think Reiss is a decent person and journalist but wonder if he took what he had to his BSPN editors and forced him to write it up.

 

[nabwong]

Does this mean a push for Cromartie? He's married with 27 children.

Wow. That's shocking. Cromartie's married????

 

[Brit patriot]

The Patriots think him and his amateur agent want far too much money for a guy you can't put one on and one with a tall receiver as he is small. For Bill, if it is a choice between paying him megabucks in such circumstances, and letting him go, then we know the choice Bill will make.

Some people here may disagree with it, but he has earned that right to say 'sorry Malcolm, thanks for SB49, good luck in NO.

I also feel that Reiss may have some inside info, but not enough evidence to say it.

 

[Kontradiction]

So Reiss was told by his editor to put something out there regarding Butler and the Pats, on a slow news day, and gave him a deadline to do it?

 

[zoostation]

Interesting theory, but only a theory. Seems more to me that Reiss, along with all the rest of the media are looking for something to fill time before any real news comes out.

In other words, more gossip.

I agree. But I do think this theory has a small degree of merit. If you look at the history of the players who begin their career with the Pats. The few that get the next contract are what we refer to as Patriot type players. Solid locker room / team first / hard worker. These are the players that typically become captains and leaders (team leaders). A few examples. Vince, Devin, Bruschi, Light, Brady, Kevin Faulk and most recently Hightower. The downside of giving a player like this a big contract is far less than someone who is more about the lifestyle than the team.

Yesterday, Dont'a Hightower posted a tweet with his mother and his dog. His mom dancing. He also reminded people to sign up for an upcoming local charity event that he runs annually and will now continue run. This is how that man celebrated a big money contract. In my opinion a guy like Jamie Collins was not a "Patriot type" player and Dont'a is and with JC asking leadership qualities BB looked at big money as a risk.

This is pure speculation and I'm not saying Butler doesn't have those qualities but my guess is probably not all 3 of them. If he did he would likely already be extended and wouldn't be selling himself to the Saints.

 

[RayClay]

So Reiss was told by his editor to put something out there regarding Butler and the Pats, on a slow news day, and gave him a deadline to do it?

Well, as much as I like Mike, he does work for Satan.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

That settles it.
Reiss has been at HSPN too long.

He has now met a critical standard on the Network's Personnel Evaluation form:
"Reporter unnecessarily and without evidence trashed the character of one or more New England Patriots." Check.

You might be going places there, Mike, but you're losing your following here.

I am now officially removing the sole exception to my HSPN rule, "Never click on any article at ESPN, unless written by Reiss."

 

[aluminum seats]

Bad job by Reiss.

 

[DaBronxPats14]

I know companies view married employees with kids as more stable employees, BUT when healthy, a very single Rob Gronkowski ( with an active social life) does his football job with the best that have ever played TE....and I recall a certain QB who was single winning 3 Super Bowls so being single shouldn't be viewed as a hindrance....
I was single at 27 and would hate to had that used against me.......

This. On Point!
And I always said that even though Gronk comes off as a Party Animal, one thing is for sure is that he gives 101% when it comes to 'Doin his Job' and rehabing to get back.

 

[fair catch fryar]

That's what happens when there isn't anything of substance to report and you have too much time to think. Butler is the hero of our 4th title, there is no negative spin to this kid that I know of, he is playing his hand to get paid and the Patriots are playing theirs. End of story until there is a story.

 

[Username]

So you are assuming is the NEP feeding him info with the intention to put shade on Malcolm? Interesting theory.

I couldn't possibly claim credit for coming up with that theory....

I've noticed in the past with Reiss that when he throws stuff like this out there it means he's been hearing things from players, coaches and others close to the team but can't come out and say it. Instead he offers it up as an op/ed.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

FAKE NEWS!!!

Until I hear more specifics from Reiss and others who cover the team, these kinds of insinuations are just meaningless.

Reiss should stick to reporting the facts

 

[Froob]

Where does Butler rank in character on PFF for cornerbacks?

 

[borg]

I've noticed in the past with Reiss that when he throws stuff like this out there it means he's been hearing things from players, coaches and others close to the team but can't come out and say it. Instead he offers it up as an op/ed.

Back during the Welker exit, I was convinced Reiss was acting as Bob Kraft's mouthpiece. BB and the Pats were taking a PR beating and Reiss had the intimate details of NE's mindset. A few weeks later, Bob Kraft spoke publicly sounding eerily similar to Reiss.
The Krafts' fourth son still in the loop?
364 days a year, Mike Reiss is the epitome of journalistic integrity.....precise in his words, measured in his tone.....a fact based reporter.....so rare these days, especially from an ESPN media member.
But not today. Today Mike break ranks with himself and "hints" Butler negativity.

For reporters, access has a price. Mort understands that game