Robert Kraft and Malcolm Butler's agent have an interesting back and forth (via Boston Globe)

[Soul_Survivor88]

NFL season offers a lot to look forward to - The Boston Globe

From Ben Volin's piece:

In Sunday’s Globe, Robert Kraft talked about Butler’s future with the team. “I still hope we get Malcolm done because I love Malcolm,” said Kraft, “but we need cooperation from the agent and the player both. I hope that still works out.”

Here’s a response from Butler’s agent, Derek Simpson:

“Malcolm has great respect for Mr. Kraft, the Patriots coaches, and all his teammates. He loves playing in New England. Malcolm is committed to playing at a high level, and doing anything to help his team win, as he has done since he joined the team. We are always open and available to working with the Patriots to discuss a mutually beneficial agreement.”​

 

[RobertWeathers]

Meh...

Pats know what MB wants and they don't want to offer it.

He's gone

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

Meh...

Pats know what MB wants and they don't want to offer it.

He's gone

Yup.

The question is....Trade block or no?

They may need to use the franchise tag on Jimmy. That could be off the table

 

[ViperGTS]

Yup.

The question is....Trade block or no?

They may need to use the franchise tag on Jimmy. That could be off the table

Oh he's on the block. Whether they pull the trigger is a different question. Didn't here Rowes name much Thursday night. That might not be good for Malcom.

 

[ViperGTS]

Meh...

Pats know what MB is worth and they don't want to offer more than that.

He's gone

Fixed it.

 

[RayClay]

Oh he's on the block. Whether they pull the trigger is a different question. Didn't here Rowes name much Thursday night. That might not be good for Malcom.

Unless Butler grew 4 inches, I think that's irrelevant.

Rowe is much better against tall receivers. Butler seems bothered by the contract issue. If they trade him, he'll mostly be replaced by like sized CBs. We have one star CB who can do it all in Gilmore, it seems.

 

[ViperGTS]

Unless Butler grew 4 inches, I think that's irrelevant.

Actually, leaving my angle out, I still don't think your post makes sense.

Uh...a corner who might be replacing Butler as #2 had a good cover game? How does that not make sense? Thus making Butler more tradable, if that's BBs thinking?

 

[RayClay]

Uh...a corner who might be replacing Butler as #2 had a good cover game? How does that not make sense? Thus making Butler more tradable, if that's BBs thinking?

Threy aren't going to have a #2. When teams have 2 big receivers, Rowe is #2. One small starter, it's Butler or his replacement 5'9" 5'11". receivers have gotten bigger and they will use 2 big CBs when needed. Years ago they had a former #1 chad Scott who played big receivers almost exclusively. Butler is realy struggling against big ones this year.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yup.

The question is....Trade block or no?

They may need to use the franchise tag on Jimmy. That could be off the table

As long as he's playing at a high level I am totally against trading Malcolm during the season.

 

[Kdo5]

As long as he's playing at a high level I am totally against trading Malcolm during the season.

Agreed, that's if he does. If he continues to play subpar, uninspiring football I would not be the slightest bit surprised to see him traded before the deadline.

We know he is capable of playing a lot better.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Agreed, that's if he does. If he continues to play subpar, uninspiring football I would not be the slightest bit surprised to see him traded before the deadline.

We know he is capable of playing a lot better.

I'll stop short of saying, 'Malcolm is not playing his best because he is distracted' but I agree his performance bears watching...

 

[rochrist]

As long as he's playing at a high level I am totally against trading Malcolm during the season.

But he isn't playing at an especially high level.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

Agreed, that's if he does. If he continues to play subpar, uninspiring football I would not be the slightest bit surprised to see him traded before the deadline.

We know he is capable of playing a lot better.

If you recall, he did get off to a bit of a slow start last season. My hope is he'll return to form soon!

 

[RobertWeathers]

But he isn't playing at an especially high level.

Too soon to say based on a preseason and one game

 

[mgteich]

Of course, if he's playing subpar football, Butler won't be worth much.

Agreed, that's if he does. If he continues to play subpar, uninspiring football I would not be the slightest bit surprised to see him traded before the deadline.

We know he is capable of playing a lot better.

 

[rochrist]

Too soon to say based on a preseason and one game

No it isn't. I didn't say he wouldn't, in the future, play at a high level. I said he hadn't so far.

 

[supafly]

Of course, if he's playing subpar football, Butler won't be worth much.

He was only worth a 3rd + a 4th in the offseason! And that was with a long term negotiation already hammered out with his new team.

We may get a 3rd in return. I think that's a decent guesstimate.

 

[RobertWeathers]

No it isn't. I didn't say he wouldn't, in the future, play at a high level. I said he hadn't so far.

Ok so I thought you were implying he should be traded now

 

[ViperGTS]

Ok so I thought you were implying he should be traded now

This week will be telling. If they get "smoked" again then wholesale changes are coming. The road doesn't get any easier either in the coming weeks. This team is at a crisis point and how they respond this week and going forward will dictate who gets let go and who doesn't.

 

[Love The Drake]

Bears resigned Akeem Hicks the one that got away.
Made him a cornerstone of that defense.
Don't know how New Orleans ever traded him and how we ever let him walk.