New England Patriots: Embracing ‘Next Man Up’ philosophy
When injuries whittled New England’s cornerback group, Malcolm Butler and Johnson Bademosi embodied the New England Patriots’ ‘Next Man Up’ philosophy.
The New England Patriots’ defense has fared well in their last two games despite the absence of cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore (concussion/ankle) and Eric Rowe (groin).
The defense that gave up 33 points to the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, minus two of their top three cornerbacks, allowed just one touchdown versus the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Injuries to Gilmore, who’s missed the Patriots’ last two games, and Rowe, who’s been out since Week 5, haven’t hindered New England’s season. The team who preaches ‘Next Man Up’ and ‘Do Your Job’ as their motto, hasn’t faced difficulties replacing the two cornerbacks.
Malcolm Butler
Malcolm Butler played 96% (73) of New England’s defensive snaps in Week 6 versus the New York Jets and 100% (57) against the Falcons in Week 7. According to NESN’s Doug Kyed, Butler allowed four catches for 114 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets versus New York. As well as an interception, a controversial forced fumble, a pass breakup, and four tackles.
Against Atlanta, Kyed reported, Butler gave up five grabs for 44 yards and a touchdown, along with a pass breakup and six tackles. The touchdown went to Julio Jones, who Butler later tipped his hat to for making the play. His broken-up pass also came in coverage on Jones, a play that would have gone for a touchdown if caught.
The fact New England inked Gilmore to an expensive multi-year deal in free agency as opposed to extending Butler long-term provides a thick layer of foreshadowing to his play over the past two weeks.
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While the Patriots may have seen more upside and potential in Gilmore, in hindsight, Butler’s strong play and availability perhaps made him the player more deserving of an elite cornerback contract.
This is meant as no slight towards Gilmore, whose best play as a Patriot is still on the horizon. But, with that being said, Gilmore hasn’t played a full season since he was a rookie, while Butler’s played every game since his miraculous Super Bowl XLIX interception.
Johnson Bademosi
At the height of the Patriots’ offseason hype train, who would’ve thought Johnson Bademosi would be starting for New England midway through the regular season? Me neither.
The Patriots dealt a 2019 sixth-rounder to the Detroit Lions for the cornerback and special teams savant days prior to the start of the regular season.
Bademosi played over 200 snaps on special teams in each of his first five NFL seasons. He played a career-high 283 defensive snaps for Detroit in 2016, earning three starts at cornerback.
Bademosi was limited to special teams duties throughout his first five games with New England. In Week 6, he started in place of Gilmore at right cornerback, playing 96% (73) of the Patriots’ defensive snaps versus the Jets. According to Doug Kyed, Bademosi allowed two catches on two targets for 23 yards along with three tackles and two assists.
In Week 7, Bademosi remained a stalwart replacement for Gilmore, playing 96% (55) of the Patriots defensive snaps. He allowed three catches for 31 yards on four targets against the Falcons’ stout receiving corps, Doug Kyed reported. In addition, Bademosi finished with five tackles, two assists, and a pass breakup.
In his Tuesday press conference, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick touched on Bademosi’s opportunity to play on defense, saying:
"“You get players, you play them in preseason, you play them in training camp, you play them in the spring, and everybody gets an evaluation. The guys that play the best play the most. The guys that don’t play as well continue to keep working until their performance either moves ahead of somebody else’s or they get an opportunity because of circumstances. I mean, it’s pretty fundamental the way it works. When the players get that opportunity, then it’s up to them to perform in that situation that they’re called to play on.”"
Once Gilmore and Rowe are healthy again, Bademosi will revert to his role on special teams while remaining as feasible depth at cornerback. Meanwhile, Butler will continue to serve as the Patriots’ starting left cornerback.
When injuries whittled New England’s cornerback group, Malcolm Butler and Johnson Bademosi embodied the Patriots’ ‘Next Man Up’ philosophy. They did their job, they did it well, and the next time an opportunity presents itself, they’ll hear their names called because of it.