Henry McKenna, PatriotsWire:Malcolm Butler and the New England Patriots had negotiated the foundation for a long-term deal during the 2016 offseason, but they have not revisited the discussion during the 2017 offseason, according to Butler’s agent. Instead, the Patriots placed a first-round tender on Butler, which would put him on a one-year deal worth $3.91 million next season.
That pales in comparison to Stephon Gilmore’s five-year, $65 million deal. The former Buffalo Bills' cornerback signed the largest free agent deal in Patriots' history, with $40 million guaranteed. The fifth year CB, drafted in the first round from the University of South Carolina in 2012, is a former track star and high school QB who led his team to a state title.
“I think players understand it, but sometimes agents don’t understand it. Let’s remember, Gilmore was an unrestricted free agent. Malcolm doesn’t have any kind of leverage right now. So why would the Patriots remove the risk from Malcolm and put it on themselves? It just doesn’t make business sense.
Fans understand recent history. Wikipedia:
Super Bowl XLIX-With under a minute left in the fourth quarter, Butler was matched up with Jermaine Kearse. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw a 33-yard sideline pass to Kearse that Butler deflected. As Kearse fell to the ground, the tipped pass landed on him, he juggled it and eventually retained possession. Kearse's catch was widely reported as one of the greatest in Super Bowl history. After recognizing that Kearse had made the catch and was not down by contact, Butler pushed him out of bounds at the five-yard line.
Two plays later, with 20 seconds remaining and the Seahawks in position to score on the Patriots' one-yard line, Butler intercepted an attempted pass to Ricardo Lockette at the goal line, returning possession to the Patriots and maintaining their 28-24 lead. Butler said that he had guessed correctly that Wilson would throw to Lockette, having read the Seahawks two receiver stack formation. "From preparation, I remembered the formation they were in ... I just beat him to the route and made the play." Butler gave credit to Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia for preparing players well for the game. The interception was the first of Butler's NFL career. It was the only interception of a pass attempt from the one-yard line during the 2014 NFL season, out of 109 such attempts.
You know, we roll our eyes at Bill Belichick’s answers so much that we often forget to listen to them.
It isn’t his modus operandi to pay guys early, and though that’s resulted in some unhappy campers over the years, it’s not like we can exactly argue with the results. Those who question the authority of the New England Patriots are forced to stop by their local post office for a change of address form.
Malcolm Butler should enjoy his new home. He will need all that added cash.
His new city is named after the Duke of Orleans, who reigned as Regent for Louis XV from 1715 to 1723, as it was established by French colonists and strongly influenced by their European culture. It is well known for its distinct French and Spanish Creole architecture, as well as its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage. New Orleans is also famous for its cuisine, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz), and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras, dating to French colonial times. It is not famous for winning games in the NFL. The city is often referred to as the "most unique" in the United States.
PENNY WISE, POUND FOOLISH. I will remember that Malcolm Butler attended Hinds Community College, Alcorn State University and finished up at West Alabama. Along the way, he worked at Popeye's Chicken. And he made the greatest play in Super Bowl history. For that, he deserved to move to the head of the chow line in New England.
Paul Murphy
Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy
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