Patriots Rumor Once and for all... [Malcolm Butler benching revisited]

[h0c2000]

Macolm does not agree he should have kept off the field on D.

 

[gobesmug]

 

[aluminum seats]

I’m glad to see this brought back up, I’m confident this time there will be a fair and reasoned conversation about it here.

 

[1960Pats]

I’m glad to see this brought back up, I’m confident this time there will be a fair and reasoned conversation about it here.

 

[Wax Frog]

 

[sb1]

"If I would have played, we would have had another ring."

Preach.

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

 

[sb1]

I said before the only legit reason Bill might have had to keep Malcolm out was if Bill found out he was placing bets on that game. Or he had any reason to suspect he might be.

And if that was the case he would have never been allowed by the team or the league anywhere near the building never mind told shortly before opening kickoff that he wasn't playing.

 

[TommyD4207]

I said before the only legit reason Bill might have had to keep Malcolm out was if Bill found out he was placing bets on that game.

And if that was the case he would have never been allowed by the team or the league anywhere near the building never mind told shortly before opening kickoff that he wasn't playing.

Not necessarily if the league didn't find out.

Honest to god though, what's the endgame here? Butler didn't fumble with 2 minutes to go. What are we even doing? I really don't get the obsession with this all these years later.

 

[sb1]

Not necessarily if the league didn't find out.

Honest to god though, what's the endgame here? Butler didn't fumble with 2 minutes to go. What are we even doing? I really don't get the obsession with this all these years later.

I read Bill was very paranoid about following all rules to the letter after what the team went through with the -gates. So if he found out that was happening I really think Bill lets the league know and never gives Butler the opportunity to suit up at all. That's the only reason I can think of that justifies that decision.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I read Bill was very paranoid about following all rules to the letter after what the team went through with the -gates. So if he found out that was happening I really think Bill lets the league know and never gives Butler the opportunity to suit up at all. That's the only reason I can think of that justifies that decision.

Interestingly enough, i'm 99.999% positive the current HC of the NEP knows exactly what happened and was comfortable enough with the circumstances to sign him as a big money FA the following year.

 

[DaBruinz]

There is no guarantee that Malcolm being on the field that day would have led to a Win. That's what people don't want to accept. And neither does Butler.

 

[ahmed]

The only decision that still makes me get angry eveytime it comes up in conversation... all these years later.

 

[DaBruinz]

I read Bill was very paranoid about following all rules to the letter after what the team went through with the -gates. So if he found out that was happening I really think Bill lets the league know and never gives Butler the opportunity to suit up at all. That's the only reason I can think of that justifies that decision.

The problem with your theory of Butler gambling (whether it was on the NFL or not) is that the league would have punished Butler when they found out. Look at players who have been suspended for Gambling. There have been a slew since 2019.. Both for betting on the NFL and for gambling otherwise. Why would you think Goodell wouldn't make an example of Butler after SB49 if the Belichick told the league?

 

[TheRainMaker]

Butler on Agholor/Smith and Gilmore on Jeffrey wins them the game...easily. Gilmore doesn't give up 10 points on the first two drives that Rowe did. Gilmore completely wiped out Jeffrey once Bill made the switch.

It didn't help the refs made 2005 type calls allowing an illegal shift on the Eagles trick play for a TD and Corey Clement clear bobbling catch TD.

 

[Ring 6]

Interestingly enough, i'm 99.999% positive the current HC of the NEP knows exactly what happened and was comfortable enough with the circumstances to sign him as a big money FA the following year.

Well that would have been based upon one side of the story.

I’ve always believed that Butler, as he admitted, want dialed in to the game plan, didn’t practice well, was late arriving. This led to him being demoted to cb3 (and the game plan had a very small role for cb3). Players have said he wasn’t practicing with the 1s. I think he found out in warmups, and had a melt down. We saw him crying during the anthem.
I think the meltdown had them move him from cb3 to not playing.

After all of these years this is the only explanation I can come up with that squares with the facts we know.

 

[VrabelJr]

PatsFans: the media is always trying to sabotage us during Super Bowl week!

Also PatsFans: let’s relive our most painful memories

 

[RobertWeathers]

Well that would have been based upon one side of the story.

I think the Titans got both sides. BB telling Vrabel and Robinson what happened and Malcolm telling Vrabel what happened. Whether they BS'ed Vrabes is a different question.

I’ve always believed that Butler, as he admitted, want dialed in to the game plan, didn’t practice well, was late arriving. This led to him being demoted to cb3 (and the game plan had a very small role for cb3). Players have said he wasn’t practicing with the 1s. I think he found out in warmups, and had a melt down. We saw him crying during the anthem.
I think the meltdown had them move him from cb3 to not playing.

After all of these years this is the only explanation I can come up with that squares with the facts we know.

Yep. I do believe he was sick (from what who knows) and that put him behind. Hell, he said publicly he wasn't as dialed in as he should have been. The coaches knew which is why he rode the pine. I don't think there is any more to it.

 

[n1997y]

I’m glad to see this brought back up, I’m confident this time there will be a fair and reasoned conversation about it here.

Of course. When do we have any other kind of conversation?

 

[upstater1]

Did I hear this right, that although Butler denied having a fight or partying or whatever, it is true that he came to the Super Bowl separately and not with the team? Confusing.