Malcolm Butler missed curfew, had weed on him, and argued with coaches over it

[NEhomer]

Recall how folks are always saying that Brady earned the right to his own terms on things like deciding how long he'll play? Well Malcolm earned the right to defend against a Pats SB opponent. Dude had the single biggest clutch moment in SB history.

 

[Old Lion]

Maybe he just did not get enough reps for BB to feel comfortable rolling him out there. I can see letting Rowe play more but not Bademosi and Richards. Thats just crazy.

 

[Rex Racer]

Heh, somebody pay attention to Rex!

Come on over here, let me help you get that hook out of your mouth

 

[DutchBird]

Maybe he just did not get enough reps for BB to feel comfortable rolling him out there. I can see letting Rowe play more but not Bademosi and Richards. Thats just crazy.

Well, considering how leaving Butler out put fellow teammates wholly unprepared into the game to play the position they did, I would say the lack of reps is a rather odd argument to make.

Not sure where I came across it, but yesterday I heard someone suggest that BB (or someone else in the organization) came to the conclusion that Butler was the primary source (or one of the primary sources) for the ESPN article about friction within the Patriots organization.

 

[YankeeRebel]

Well, considering how leaving Butler out put fellow teammates wholly unprepared into the game to play the position they did, I would say the lack of reps is a rather odd argument to make.

Not sure where I came across it, but yesterday I heard someone suggest that BB (or someone else in the organization) came to the conclusion that Butler was the primary source (or one of the primary sources) for the ESPN article about friction within the Patriots organization.

Actually they were aware Butler was struggling with picking up the Eagles offense and it other players were prepared.

This whole thing is probably as simple as BB made a coaching decision. Has anyone read where BB or the team themselves stated Butler was caught with weed, at a concert, with hookers, missed curfew? Or did everyone just run with unsubstantiated media reports?

 

[Old Lion]

Well, considering how leaving Butler out put fellow teammates wholly unprepared into the game to play the position they did, I would say the lack of reps is a rather odd argument to make.

Not sure where I came across it, but yesterday I heard someone suggest that BB (or someone else in the organization) came to the conclusion that Butler was the primary source (or one of the primary sources) for the ESPN article about friction within the Patriots organization.

BB would not sit him out for something trivial like that. Lack of reps if the game plan and coverages are changing dramatically would certainly be legit though.

This also seals Butler's fate for the future too. No way he stays in NE now. They could have resigned him if this did not happen.

 

[Calm]

Actually they were aware Butler was struggling with picking up the Eagles offense and it other players were prepared.

This whole thing is probably as simple as BB made a coaching decision. Has anyone read where BB or the team themselves stated Butler was caught with weed, at a concert, with hookers, missed curfew? Or did everyone just run with unsubstantiated media reports?

Except they weren't informed until kickoff?

 

[Dude]

Lol can't run on us.

I watched the game again last night. Pats were running the ball quite well. With about 9 minutes left, they had a solid drive where Burkhead, White and Lewis were crucial on the TD drive. Actually, Burkhead and White picked up big chunks most of the game. In the drive where Brady got stip sacked, they went into hurry up, which was dumb because there were 2+ minutes left. If they scored instead of fumbling, they also needed to run out the clock. If not, Eagles would have had ample time left to come back and win.
Anyway, good game and cheers to your Eagles for a much deserved win.

 

[dbldwn711]

My take on what bill did.

If it was discipline (bill says it wasn't), "the bill way" has garnered them five titles. You saw guys like moss step in and act like boy scouts bc it's "bills way or the highway".

If someone violated his team rules and he put the on their ass, good for him. You take the bad with the gokd. If I'm a pats fan, I'll give up this one for the five he brought home.

Yam , I gotta disagree with you. I agree that BB has his way and it is tremendously successful. However, he also preaches "situational football". He harps on "you've gotta know the situation" and each situation is different.

The relationship with him and butler has been bad all year. Butler played for peanuts then got tagged. He wanted a long term deal, was willing to take less but BB wouldn't give it to him. That affected his play, the relationship, really everything all year.

In the past when faced with "malcontents" BB ships them off mid season or before their contract is up. With butler he couldn't do that. Why? Because butler played 98% of the defensive snaps and was their best corner all year.

Butler has said NONE of these things being said about him are true. He didn't miss curfew. He didn't go to a concert. He didn't have weed. BB has said it wasn't disciplinary. When you let a guy prepare all week as if he is gonna start/play, go thru the final walk thru, go thru warm ups, come back into the locker room and THEN tell him and the team he isn't gonna play... That's personal. That's petty. That's NOT "BB being a disciplinarian".

It pissed off several coaches and players. Why? Because they have sacrificed all year (played hurt, worked 20 hours a day, etc) to get to this point. They want to go out their with their best players to win. In fact, they do those things bc they trust the coach to do HIS job which is put the best guys out there. BB didn't do that here. He put his own personal animosity/feelings he had towards butler ahead of the team and players are reacting to that. They are calling him out.

Look, he doesn't owe any explanation to the press. IMO he owes very little if anything to the fans. He does owe those players and coaches an explanation and if he thinks he doesn't, if he thinks he's above it all, he may lose that locker room. All of sudden guys won't play hurt. They won't give it their all if they think BB will put his personal grudges ahead of the team.

 

[Yam]

Yam , I gotta disagree with you. I agree that BB has his way and it is tremendously successful. However, he also preaches "situational football". He harps on "you've gotta know the situation" and each situation is different.

The relationship with him and butler has been bad all year. Butler played for peanuts then got tagged. He wanted a long term deal, was willing to take less but BB wouldn't give it to him. That affected his play, the relationship, really everything all year.

In the past when faced with "malcontents" BB ships them off mid season or before their contract is up. With butler he couldn't do that. Why? Because butler played 98% of the defensive snaps and was their best corner all year.

Butler has said NONE of these things being said about him are true. He didn't miss curfew. He didn't go to a concert. He didn't have weed. BB has said it wasn't disciplinary. When you let a guy prepare all week as if he is gonna start/play, go thru the final walk thru, go thru warm ups, come back into the locker room and THEN tell him and the team he isn't gonna play... That's personal. That's petty. That's NOT "BB being a disciplinarian".

It pissed off several coaches and players. Why? Because they have sacrificed all year (played hurt, worked 20 hours a day, etc) to get to this point. They want to go out their with their best players to win. In fact, they do those things bc they trust the coach to do HIS job which is put the best guys out there. BB didn't do that here. He put his own personal animosity/feelings he had towards butler ahead of the team and players are reacting to that. They are calling him out.

Look, he doesn't owe any explanation to the press. IMO he owes very little if anything to the fans. He does owe those players and coaches an explanation and if he thinks he doesn't, if he thinks he's above it all, he may lose that locker room. All of sudden guys won't play hurt. They won't give it their all if they think BB will put his personal grudges ahead of the team.

Valid points but I personally can't see bill being petty in the Superbowl. Maybe sitting him a series, but some shut had to go down. It'll come out, eventually.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Yam , I gotta disagree with you. I agree that BB has his way and it is tremendously successful. However, he also preaches "situational football". He harps on "you've gotta know the situation" and each situation is different.

The relationship with him and butler has been bad all year. Butler played for peanuts then got tagged. He wanted a long term deal, was willing to take less but BB wouldn't give it to him. That affected his play, the relationship, really everything all year.

In the past when faced with "malcontents" BB ships them off mid season or before their contract is up. With butler he couldn't do that. Why? Because butler played 98% of the defensive snaps and was their best corner all year.

Butler has said NONE of these things being said about him are true. He didn't miss curfew. He didn't go to a concert. He didn't have weed. BB has said it wasn't disciplinary. When you let a guy prepare all week as if he is gonna start/play, go thru the final walk thru, go thru warm ups, come back into the locker room and THEN tell him and the team he isn't gonna play... That's personal. That's petty. That's NOT "BB being a disciplinarian".

It pissed off several coaches and players. Why? Because they have sacrificed all year (played hurt, worked 20 hours a day, etc) to get to this point. They want to go out their with their best players to win. In fact, they do those things bc they trust the coach to do HIS job which is put the best guys out there. BB didn't do that here. He put his own personal animosity/feelings he had towards butler ahead of the team and players are reacting to that. They are calling him out.

Look, he doesn't owe any explanation to the press. IMO he owes very little if anything to the fans. He does owe those players and coaches an explanation and if he thinks he doesn't, if he thinks he's above it all, he may lose that locker room. All of sudden guys won't play hurt. They won't give it their all if they think BB will put his personal grudges ahead of the team.

I can't agree with most of what you're saying.

BB obviously thought this was the best situation. Whether that's based on Butler's performance or his actions?

He and Butler have been at odds since the miraculous interception. This isn't only this year. If Butler let his contract affect his play, shame on him.

BB couldn't ship him off. He was the best option NE had. He was not the best CB all year. He was getting burnt routinely in coverage.

Naturally Butler said NONE of it was true. His poor performance likely already cost him millions. This only makes his value even less.

BB sacrafices as much as anyone. Do you really think he wanted another SB loss on his resume?

Josh staying in NE says a lot about what the coaches think. Judge rumored to being close to being signed.

 

[dbldwn711]

Valid points but I personally can't see bill being petty in the Superbowl. Maybe sitting him a series, but some shut had to go down. It'll come out, eventually.

Hahahaha

I can! He's a vengeful guy.

A lot of that side of him came out in the book "Patriot Reign". It was written by Michael Holly (an excellent reporter/writer). He followed the Pats for an entire season with unprecedented access. It just happened to be one of the years the Pats won the SB. It was the year where BB cut Lawyer Milloy at the end of camp, he signed with the Bills and they walloped the Pats week one. Following the game Tom Jackson of ESPN said "cutting Milloy caused the pats players to quit on their coach".

Fast forward to the SB and the Pats win. Chris Berman is waiting to do a postgame interview with BB but he don't go it. Why? He told the producers of ESPN it's bc of what Jackson said after the week one loss. Anyway, Berman gets BB on the phone, begs him to come on and after pleading with him BB agrees to do the interview. As he s walking to the set to do the interview Tom Jackson walks up to him and says "congrats coach. Great win!" BB responds by saying "Fuck You" and continues walking to the set.

Yeah... He's that petty.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Recall how folks are always saying that Brady earned the right to his own terms on things like deciding how long he'll play? Well Malcolm earned the right to defend against a Pats SB opponent. Dude had the single biggest clutch moment in SB history.

Every-time I see this photo I think of 2 things, WHY did we Trade Golden Tate, and why the @#$^@# didn't we just hand the ball off... Butler did make a great play though, timed that shit perfect, read that play from the start..

 

[Dude]

I can't agree with most of what you're saying.

BB obviously thought this was the best situation. Whether that's based on Butler's performance or his actions?

He and Butler have been at odds since the miraculous interception. This isn't only this year. If Butler let his contract affect his play, shame on him.

BB couldn't ship him off. He was the best option NE had. He was not the best CB all year. He was getting burnt routinely in coverage.

Naturally Butler said NONE of it was true. His poor performance likely already cost him millions. This only makes his value even less.

BB sacrafices as much as anyone. Do you really think he wanted another SB loss on his resume?

Josh staying in NE says a lot about what the coaches think. Judge rumored to being close to being signed.

Hey buddy, the Pats were outcoached and outplayed, though by a very small margin. BB is a great coach, but it is unacceptable that he, for whatever reason, did not give Butler some play time. As a fan, love both dudes, but will always wonder why BB did not at least try to ease Butler into the game. Makes no sense.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Hey buddy, the Pats were outcoached and outplayed, though by a very small margin. BB is a great coach, but it is unacceptable that he, for whatever reason, did not give Butler some play time. As a fan, love both dudes, but will always wonder why BB did not at least try to ease Butler into the game. Makes no sense.

And it was a game where one play potentially makes a difference.

For example, as it played out, the game was afoot until the sack/fumble. One big play. After that it was crapshoot time for Brady. Like against the Giants. Desperation.

But Butler on the field potentially makes Eagles play differently if what you read is true. "IF" he makes any play of significance the game might have been different. A big 3rd or 4th down knockdown could have turned the tide. The 4th down gamble by Eagles in the late 4th was huge. Who knows how it plays out if Butler is in the lineup.

I wonder if BB wakes up in the middle of the night and wonders, "what if"? Cause it might of.

One play.

 

[Dude]

And it was a game where one play potentially makes a difference.
For example, as it played out, the game was afoot until the sack/fumble. One big play. After that it was crapshoot time for Brady. Like against the Giants. Desperation.
One play.

Well done in your brief analysis. Also saw desperation in the last 2 minutes: Outcoached.
Eagles played the full 60 minutes. Patriots did not, for a change.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Every-time I see this photo I think of 2 things, WHY did we Trade Golden Tate, and why the @#$^@# didn't we just hand the ball off... Butler did make a great play though, timed that shit perfect, read that play from the start..

Maybe because Lynch was 20% successful during the season
It's been discussed pass play is the right call. Slant from a 5'- 9" mobile QB wrong pass play.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Hey buddy, the Pats were outcoached and outplayed, though by a very small margin. BB is a great coach, but it is unacceptable that he, for whatever reason, did not give Butler some play time. As a fan, love both dudes, but will always wonder why BB did not at least try to ease Butler into the game. Makes no sense.

You, I and most others agree. However, 2nd guessing the best coach of all time lends me to believe there is more to this story.

No one can explain why BB would want to tarnish his career. Because he's an ego maniac? BB in his mind still thought he could win this game even without Butler. Don't kid yourself otherwise. NO WAY BB wanted to lose that game. There is much more to this story. Hopefully we find out the entire truth someday. Highly unlikely but we can hope.

Trust me I'm hating NE lost. I had a pit in my stomach for days. I'm not giving anyone a free ride. Maybe the offense but even then they had their issues.

Looking forward to a totally revamped D next season.

 

[Dude]

This thread needs a little:

 

[NWPATSFAN]

And it was a game where one play potentially makes a difference.

For example, as it played out, the game was afoot until the sack/fumble. One big play. After that it was crapshoot time for Brady. Like against the Giants. Desperation.

But Butler on the field potentially makes Eagles play differently if what you read is true. "IF" he makes any play of significance the game might have been different. A big 3rd or 4th down knockdown could have turned the tide. The 4th down gamble by Eagles in the late 4th was huge. Who knows how it plays out if Butler is in the lineup.

I wonder if BB wakes up in the middle of the night and wonders, "what if"? Cause it might of.

One play.

You mean like IF Brady catches that ball?
Or if the O does anything the first qtr +?
Or Cooks runs to the sticks?
Or the D made one stop all game?
Or the refs turn over one of those calls?
Or G-Ski didn't miss a FG and XP?
Or if Butler was in and got burnt or missed an assignment?
Or the refs call a an illegal pick on the Eagle TE 1st down?
Or Hogan or Gronk get a call on the last play.
Or, if...

It's BBs legacy to live with.

As I've said I wish BB had played him so we wouldn't be having these discussions. None of us know what could've been regardless of MB playing or not if just one or two plays from either team goes the other way.

I'm not going to torment myself on what ifs.