Now that it’s been almost three weeks since Bill Belichick controversially benched Pro-Bowl cornerback Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII, the plot continues to thicken.
Safety Devin McCourty was asked about the situation in an interview with NJ Advance Media. While the topic has been picked apart in the media since the big game, McCourty’s interview was the first time a Patriot has spoken on the matter since the post-game interviews.
“We all knew he wasn’t starting all week,” McCourty said. “That wasn’t a secret to the guys on the team.”
However, McCourty, who was a team captain for the seventh time this season, shied away from explaining why exactly Butler was held off the field.
“As far as I know, all of that is the furthest thing from the truth,” McCourty said when asked about the allegations that Butler broke his curfew and smoked marijuana the night before the game. “I get why people are fishing…As far as I know — and I was there all week — not one time did anything come up.”
McCourty was very sympathetic to his teammate’s situation as well.
“It sucked for him. He put a lot of time and effort in,” McCourty said. “If he decides it’s hard to come back after that, anywhere he goes, the guy is a great football player and probably one of the most competitive people I’ve been around.”
Butler is due to be an unrestricted free agent when the offseason begins on March 6. With rumors circulating non-stop last offseason and in the weeks following this past Super Bowl, Butler is not expected to return to New England.
Doug Martin a potential target?
Running back Doug Martin was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.
In 2012 and 2015, he combined for nearly 3,600 yards and 19 touchdowns from scrimmage. However, in his other four seasons in the NFL, he never topped 500 yards or 11 games played.
Despite his inconsistency, Martin has proven himself as a talented, albeit streaky player. He won’t be demanding a huge contract, as the contract he was just released from was due to pay him just under $7 million next season. If the Buccaneers weren’t willing to pay him that, and if his injury history is taken into account, it’s safe to assume he won’t get a multi-year deal or an average salary of more than $3 or $4 million.
With Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead and Brandon Bolden set to hit the market, and Mike Gillislee expected to be released as well, the Patriots could look to add Martin to their thinning backfield. He has seen moderate success as a pass catcher in the past, but he would serve as the primary runner for Brady to hand the ball off to.
A backfield of James White, who is an elite pass catcher, and Martin, who has a couple of 1,400 rushing yard seasons under his belt, would be impressive, but Bill Belichick would still be likely to look for depth in the draft or on the free agent market.
Patriots mock drafts pouring in
Patriots.com congregated the NFL Mock Draft’s from around the internet, and there was a common theme throughout.
Of the 19 experts the site referenced, 15 of them predicted that New England would select a player on the defensive side of the ball in the first round. The other four predictions included three offensive linemen and a wide receiver. There were four players who were linked to the Patriots multiple times, Isaiah Oliver, Mike Hughes Kolton Miller and Harrison Phillips.
Oliver, a cornerback from Colorado, was sent to New England in many of these mock drafts mostly due to the lack of depth projected at the position with Butler leaving. Also referenced was the Patriots inability to stop the pass throughout the season, culminating in the secondary’s horrible performance in Super Bowl LII.
Hughes, also a cornerback, played at UCF and impressed as a smaller, slot corner, much like Malcolm Butler. He also saw success as a kick/punt returner, something the Patriots have been sorely missing.
Phillips, a defensive tackle from Stanford, was an Academic All-American last season. He is known primarily as a run-stuffer, something the Patriots have sorely missed since Vince Wilfork’s departure in 2015. He has also shown flashes of an ability to rush the passer, another trait mostly absent on the Patriots’ defense last season.
Kolton Miller started the season at the right tackle for UCLA but improved tremendously when he made the switch to left tackle. His experience protecting a pro-style quarterback in Josh Rosen should translate well to the Patriots’ offensive scheme. With Nate Solder potentially retiring or leaving as a free agent, Miller could be a welcome addition to offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia’s toolbox.
Other prospects projected to go to the Patriots with the 31st pick are Notre Dame offensive tackle, Mike McGlinchey, USC defensive end Rasheem Green, UNC corner M.J. Stewart, Florida defensive lineman Taven Bryan, Virginia defensive end Andrew Brown, Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk, Oklahoma defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Alabama safety Ronnie Harrison, Ohio State defensive end Sam Hubbard, and Louisville corner Jaire Alexander.
