Malcolm Butler Mega Thread

[MrNathanDrake]

Terrible defense finally got exposed

 

[TB_Helmet]

This entire board right now sounds like it's originating from an insane asylum. The Eagles were better tonight. They deserved to win. Their offense would have scored at least the same number of points with Malcolm Butler or without him. I hated losing this game. Why can't some people just admit that Philly was better tonight? It's embarrassing.

I disagree. I think if Butler was in, it makes a difference. One of those scoring drives wouldn't have happened. He's good enough to change the outcome just once, relative to who else was in on nickel and dime.

 

[FreeCourtroomBrady]

Pederson doesn’t even know English it’s hard for me to think he can coach, I mean maybe he can but I think his assistants have a lot to do with it:

 

[TBR]

Ok I respect what Patricia tried to do, but there's a massive flaw in the Patriots defense. Part of it comes from the SHEER NECESSITY of having to sign players like James Harrison to come and start near the end of the season. I don't care how well he played. You cannot rely on a 39 year old player to give you serious minutes in the game in such a short time. Part of it is from Patricia. Wasn't it just months ago that the league was raving about all the pieces that the Patriots defense had? How we had a top CB duo in the league, how our defense would be excellent. Something changed, and Patricia should receive the majority of the blame.

This is largely Belichick's defense and his decisions being made. I don't think Patricia is as involved as you make him out to be.

 

[rochrist]

Let me ask you this..........if this was a regular season game is butler benched? If the answer is no, then bill overthought this and he should be extremely ashamed right now.

Let me ask YOU something. Are you pretending that you have the slightest clue WHY Butler didn't play? No? Me neither. Neither does anyone else on this board. What I AM pretty confident of is that Bill doesn't do **** with losing in mind.

 

[carmelo15]

This entire board right now sounds like it's originating from an insane asylum. The Eagles were better tonight. They deserved to win. Their offense would have scored at least the same number of points with Malcolm Butler or without him. I hated losing this game. Why can't some people just admit that Philly was better tonight? It's embarrassing.

That’s crazy Jeffery doesn’t eat us alive if Butler starts Butler makes a difference

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

perhaps Belichick thought Rowe would have some revenge on his mind since Rowe was actually a Philadelphia Eagle who tossed him to NE for a lowly 4th round pick and would play the game of his life - apparently Rowe didn't give a **** about that - he sucked bad

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

It's hard to argue against the man that put together teams that got us to 8 Super Bowls and won 5 of them. All these tweets and info coming out on Butler has me baffled, though.

But until more info comes out , I'll trust Belichick made what he thought was the decision for the team.

You know Belichick is human. He has an ego like the rest of us.

Jordan Richards played extensive snaps. Defense got lit up. No excuses...

 

[HailHydra]

This is largely Belichick's defense and his decisions being made. I don't think Patricia is as involved as you make him out to be.

Congrats on the 10,000 ratings xD

 

[Soliel]

BB said it wasn't disciplinary, so who knows. Before I call the best coach in the NFL a **** up, I'll wait until more info comes out. He has more info than any of us, I know some are pissed we lost but BB deserves the benefit of the doubt.

I agree. We have butlers statements but not enough info to really know what happened or why and how

 

[Absurdly Metro]

I don't know why Butler didn't start. It was a coaching decision. It was crushing to see a player crying because he told that he wouldn't start. ????? Is that the kind of team player that you want on the field, on your team? I don't think he'll get much of an offer in the offseason.

Not only that he wouldn’t start but that he wouldn’t play defense, period. In the biggest game of the year. Then he stands there the whole game with his helmet on waiting and watching while BB is covering their slot receiver with a safety and Jordan Richards and Bademosi are whiffing on tackles. Unbelievable. Inexcusable. Brady deserves better. The team deserved better.

 

[mgteich]

To all those who think that Belichick threw away a Super Bowl by not playing Butler, I suggest finding another team. Belichick had given up on Butler, as Butler told us. He certainly believed that starting Rowe was a better option for the team, and that Jones was a better nickel.

Personally, if that were the case, I still might have played him as a sub instead of Bademosi. But that choice was likely made in practice.

Beleichick won't change. After all, his methods have been shown to be so flawed. And those coaches chosen by him will follow his lead.

It better be damn serious to throw away a super bowl. That’s unforgivable

 

[sambam94]

Give me a break, if the league office interprets the catch rule the same way they did all season, the Pats win that game.

still lose by 1

 

[Love The Drake]

perhaps Belichick thought Rowe would have some revenge on his mind since Rowe was actually a Philadelphia Eagle who tossed him to NE for a lowly 4th round pick and would play the game of his life - apparently Rowe didn't give a **** about that - he sucked bad

He made a few good plays.

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

Let me ask YOU something. Are you pretending that you have the slightest clue WHY Butler didn't play? No? Me neither. Neither does anyone else on this board. What I AM pretty confident of is that Bill doesn't do **** with losing in mind.

I'm not "pretending" about anything. I'm going off of what bill himself said and what malcom himself said. I'm not just saying random nonsense. Bill said him benching malcom wasn't for disciplinary reasons. Malcom was literally in tears saying the team gave up on him.

I have no doubt bill THOUGHT he was doing what was best for the team...........I'm not questioning that at all.....I'm questioning the decision to bench one of his best players. If some information comes out that somehow justifies it I will say i was wrong. But as of now, absolutely terrible decision that probably costed us a 6th ring.

 

[mgteich]

Let's be clear. Most of us have been criticizing Richards all year. We would have had someone else as our to Chung. Richards played where he has ALL year.

You know Belichick is human. He has an ego like the rest of us.

Jordan Richards played extensive snaps. Defense got lit up. No excuses...

 

[Observer]

This is going to be an unpopular opinion and i know I'm going to get blasted for these comments, but IDGAF. If Butler was benched for running his mouth and not buying into the Patriot way then I will say this. The core reason the system works is because the players are all in. They are hungry every year. Look at the other recent SB winners. They may have a couple good seasons and then its over. The Pats are knocking on the door every year and have 5 rings because BB does not bend on these beliefs. I couldn't understand it back in the Lawyer Milloy days but after 9 trips to the SB I understand it.

The system works. Period. Does anyone disagree with that? Because if you agree the system works, you can't get emotional over him benching Butler (again, if it was disciplinary move). I don't look at it as losing a ring. I look at it as the system brought us 5 rings and tonight a couple of plays away from 6. Even with 2 very questionable touchdowns. BB is not giving away your ring by making that move, he's ensuring rings will keep coming.

Let’s not kid ourselves. The system is Brady. Is there any Super Bowl we have won or even been in for that matter without Brady’s heroics?

 

[HeadHunter]

Butler should have ben in this game. Point blank. Period. End of story.

 

[rogerthat]

Not starting Butler was one thing. Perhaps that can be defended. However, not putting him in after getting embarrassed on drive after drive was inexcusable.

And no, i dont need to know what he did to make this call. It doesnt matter.

 

[Dr Pain]

This team had no business being anywhere near a superbowl. This was one of the coaching staffs best years.