New England Patriots: Malcolm Butler believes he could have changed game
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler was not happy about being benched for Super Bowl 52.
The New England Patriots came up just short of winning their second consecutive Super Bowl on Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles pulled off the upset, defeating the Patriots 41-33 in the most offensive Super Bowl, and game, in the history of the NFL.
While both teams possessed explosive offenses, it was shocking to see the defense, or lack thereof, during the game. The Patriots and Eagles had two of the best defenses in the league throughout the regular season and postseason.
Neither team was able to generate much pressure as receivers ran free downfield throughout the game. It was the Eagles who were able to make the one play, as Brandon Graham registered the only sack in the game in the fourth quarter when a defensive play was needed most.
Graham not only sacked Tom Brady, he caused a fumble, which was scooped up by Derrick Barnett. It helped give the Eagles a 41-33 lead, which they would hold onto for the win.
Given the performances of the team’s defenses throughout the season, not many people expected an offensive showing like that. The Eagles had suspect pass defense given their relative youth, relying on a strong pass rush. The Patriots, however, put themselves behind the eight-ball with a peculiar move.
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Cornerback Malcolm Butler, the hero of the Patriots Super Bowl 49 against the Seattle Seahawks, was nowhere to be found. Butler dressed for the game but did not play a single snap defensively, only appearing a handful of times on special teams.
It was the most surprising decision of the Super Bowl. Butler played the most snaps for the Patriots on defense during the regular season. He followed that up by playing every snap in the games against the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Unsurprisingly, Butler was not happy about the benching. He spoke following the game, expressing his frustration with not being in the lineup.
"“They gave up on me,” Butler said after the game. “F—. It is what it is.”“It was a coach’s decision. … I don’t know what it was,” an emotional Butler said as he walked toward the team buses with his family. “I guess I wasn’t playing good. They didn’t feel comfortable. I could have changed that game, though.“I was just doing my job supporting my teammates. I had nothing but great things to say about the organization. Great organization. They gave me the opportunity.”"
The decision to not play Butler came down to matchups, according to defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Patricia also added that Butler was healthy enough to play.
Matchups are important, but it is difficult to believe that Butler couldn’t have helped the Patriots. Nick Foles looked like a Hall of Famer on Sunday, completing 28-of-43 for 373 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Foles even caught a touchdown on a fourth down trick play from Trey Burton.
The game plan was odd, at best. Stephon Gilmore wasn’t defending wide receiver Alshon Jeffery until the second half, but he had done enough damage in the first half that it was already too late. Eric Rowe, who started for Butler, was routinely torched.
There is no doubt that Butler could have changed that game. Butler had a tougher season in 2017 than he had the previous two seasons according to Pro Football Focus, ranking No. 51 out of 121 qualified cornerbacks, he could have helped.
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The three players that the Patriots decided to use instead of Butler, Rowe, Johnson Bademosi and Jordan Richards, all graded out significantly worse than Butler. The decision to bench Butler will be on that is questioned given the end result of the game.