Butler out to get better
Cornerback pushes contract talk aside
FOXBORO — Malcolm Butler feels far more at home on the football field than at the negotiating table, though they may be one in the same in the coming months.
Butler was back in uniform with the Patriots yesterday and can now let his work serve as his best negotiating tactic with the powers that be in the corner offices, either at Gillette Stadium or elsewhere.
And sure, it was just a single July day, but Butler was the Patriots’ best defensive player in the opening practice of camp. That’s certainly the optimal way to get started for someone in Butler’s shoes.
“I did what I was supposed to do,” Butler said. “I’m trying to string some days together. The whole unit is trying to get better each and every day together. You’ve got to give 100 percent effort.”
Butler allowed only one completion in team drills, and that blemish was uneventful — a contested short connection to Julian Edelman, who beat him with fancy footwork and a double move.
Otherwise, Butler’s best effort occurred against Brandin Cooks on a deep bid from Tom Brady. The cornerback remained in stride with the burner to prevent a long touchdown. Butler was also in coverage for a Jimmy Garoppolo incompletion to Edelman.
For the most part, Brady avoided Butler. Credit the corner’s strong day in coverage as much as Brady’s preferred matchups elsewhere on the field. And like Butler occasionally did last year, he kicked inside to the slot at times. At one point, he dissuaded Brady from targeting Chris Hogan.
With the big picture looming, Butler’s priorities were in order.
“Be better than last year,” Butler said. “I worked on all my errors from last year to get better in each and every aspect of the game. I want to be better this year and I will. Anything to help the team.”
Surely, like anyone in a contract year, Butler would have preferred to boast a more padded bank account at this point. He exercised his right as a restricted free agent to visit the Saints, and the two sides mapped out terms that were in excess of $50 million over four years, according to sources. However, the Saints’ trade offers to the Patriots were said to be laughable, and Butler remained a New Englander for another fall.
It sounds like Butler and the Patriots still share mutual interest in an extension, but there’s no word on whether they’re ready to budge on their respective demands. And so, the actual possibility of a resolution remains a mystery.
Butler has also been waiting for this moment for months. He is at ease on the field and accepted business and performance don’t always go hand in hand, especially when one side has a monopoly on leverage.
Finally, Butler has been thrilled that his consolation price can also serve as a golden ticket. While he awaits his payday, he’ll play for a Patriots juggernaut that could win a third Super Bowl during his fouryear tenure, and Butler has played a major role in both wins. If he stays healthy, he’ll corral at least $10 million annually in free agency.
The keys to that Brinks truck lie in Butler’s performance. It was just one day in a non-padded practice, but Butler’s productive morning was consistent with his level from his past two seasons. Remember, this is a guy who didn’t give up more than two receptions in any of his final seven games last season, including the run to Super Bowl LI.
He wants to get paid, and he wants to form the best cornerback tandem in the league with Stephon Gilmore and he wants his strong practices to yield strong games. And rightly so, Butler knows the best way to get what he wants.
“Actions speak louder than words,” Butler said. “We’ll have our time to prove that.”