How good can Malcolm Butler be?

[scott99]

He better be REALLY REALLY GOOD. Then again, we went to the SB with McCourtey and Arrington as our CBs in 2012, and we definitely have a much better front 7 now.

 

[Haley]

We have not shown a good track record for developing CBs. Given this fact, I'm not sure if we can hope for much more than a 2nd CB but stranger things have happened.

 

[Ross12]

https://vid.me/pXi0

Here's a quick highlight video I made of him back in March. Youtube kept deleting it so I had to post it on that site.

Nice video, some really good plays in there. His pass defending skills are pretty good, I appreciate the fact that he was completely owning Emmanuel Sanders and Alshon Jeffrey... No small feat there. Plus there's the one play in there where he flies up and stops freakin' Marshawn Lynch like a brick wall. The dude is fearless.

The comparison to Edelman is a good one, they both clearly have innate talent and just needed a ton of polish, like an uncut diamond. Edelman definitely shined himself up to make the most of his abilities, hopefully Butler can too. It's nice to see that Edelman and Butler appear to be close too. Revis was a great model as far as playing the position, but Edelman can really be the mentor Butler needs.

 

[JayNM]

I thought that Ras-I Dowling would be a good #2 CB

I thought Devin McCourty would be a Top 10 CB

I thought Dennard would be a legitimate #1 CB

I thought Ryan would break out last year

Oficially done making predictions

 

[nowayback]

From the 1st time I saw him play with Pats, he has always been right there with the wr. Cant remember him really beat on a play. I think its up to him . Of course if we have a consistent pass rush it makes it a lot easier.

 

[Ross12]

I think we are probably looking at a starting CB trio of Fletcher, Butler and McClain with Ryan being the top backup. If Fletcher & McClain regain their form and Butler develops well, I think this could actually be a good unit. Of course, if Fletcher and McClain still suck and Butler doesn't develop any further, it could be awful.

For all the money the team paid to Revis, Browner and Arrington last year, they were rarely as impressive as their paychecks said they should be, and all three got burned multiple times in the playoffs. Revis got beat several times by Steve Smith, Browner committed plenty of penalties and Arrington was just a joke against Chris Matthews. For the comparative money being paid to Fletcher, Butler and McClain, should be at least half the production at like a quarter of the price.

 

[Brady6]

I think we are probably looking at a starting CB trio of Fletcher, Butler and McClain with Ryan being the top backup. If Fletcher & McClain regain their formi and Butler develops well, I think this could actually be a good unit. Of course, if Fletcher and McClain still suck and Butler doesn't develop any further, it could be awful.

For all the money the team paid to Revis, Browner and Arrington last year, they were rarely as impressive as their paychecks said they should be, and all three got burned multiple times in the playoffs. Revis got beat several times by Steve Smith, Browner committed plenty of penalties and Arrington was just a joke against Chris Matthews. For the comparative money being paid to Fletcher, Butler and McClain, should be at least half the production at like a quarter of the price.

McClain has never been very good. He is basically Cole 2.0.

Fletcher when right is as good a #2 CB as Brandon Browner. He cannot cover #1 WRs without help though.

 

[Tony2046]

I think he has the physical tools to be that kind of CB that is a pain in the ass of opposing receivers, not so elegant or smart like the top corners of the league, but a CB that is always making a play at the ball.

Actually he made a few smart plays in the super bowl one of which was when he lost coverage of (I forget who) a receiver and tripped him up instead. He should of gotten a pass interference but either way he prevented a bigger play from happening. Still we only have a small sample to go on but I like how he looks so far.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

https://vid.me/pXi0

Here's a quick highlight video I made of him back in March. Youtube kept deleting it so I had to post it on that site.

Malcolm, GO!

 

[TheBeers]

People will probably laugh at this but he reminds me a bit of Revis. Similar size and body type, quick feet, good in man coverage and great ball skills. I'm not saying he can be anywhere as good but there are similarities. Kid played his but off and made great plays when it mattered most - including one of the great defensive plays in SB history. He keeps working hard and I have no doubt he could be a solid #1.

 

[Wordsmyth]

I voted for the second option. There's only upside for #28.

 

[BradyBranch39]

Somewhere between "Legitimate #1 CB" and "Solid #2 CB"

Sign me up for him having Brent Grimes' career, but I don't really see him as that kind of player. Could be just as good; just different.

 

[5thRing-Hunt]

The funny thing is I think he feels he has more to prove than last year because he doesn't wanna be a one play wonder. He's gonna get his shot and I think he'll make the most of it.

 

[willard]

Leigh Bodden as a comparison? Seems to have the ball skills Bodden had.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Given how he is basically our #1 this year...I hope pretty dam good...we have no one back there...

 

[PedroMac]

Given how he is basically our #1 this year...I hope pretty dam good...we have no one back there...

I hear ya.... But as you know, our opening day roster is never complete in May!!

I have a good feeling about Butler. I would feel the same way if he hadn't made THE PLAY!

He was making plays from day 1...... Albeit mostly in practice. But he was a feisty little stud in the 4th quarter when he replaced Arrington and had some impact in limited reps during the season!

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

I've been out of the loop for a few months but I know this: As long as we have Revis, Browner, and Dennard this secondary will be fine while Butler develops.

 

[PedroMac]

I've been out of the loop for a few months but I know this: As long as we have Revis, Browner, and Dennard this secondary will be fine while Butler develops.

Lol
Howz about Arrington?!! Don't forget him!

 

[Wheelman]

https://vid.me/pXi0

Here's a quick highlight video I made of him back in March. Youtube kept deleting it so I had to post it on that site.

Nice video, the only suggestion is you show the replay of the Kearse catch. It highlights how well he played the ball and despite the fluke catch he's alert enough to tackle Kearse instead of letting him run into the endzone. All around great play by Butler, just flukey luck for Kearse to come down with that.

 

[carmelo15]

When the secondary starts slow it's gonna be bad in here. Just can't wait to see how they develop till week 16