Malcolm Butler Still Looking To Play Better Than The Past - 'Excluding The Super Bowl Play'
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Malcolm Butler knows he's probably already gotten his career-defining play out of the way. It will be virtually impossible for the Patriots corner to top his Super Bowl-sealing interception, but that doesn't mean he won't stop working as hard as he can to follow up his I-told-you-I-was-actually-good 2015 campaign with an even stronger 2016.
"I'm always trying to do better than I did in the past - excluding the Super Bowl play!" Butler said with a chuckle, speaking to 98.5 The Sports Hub's Johnston & Flynn after Patriots practice on Sunday. "The standard's always high for me, my teammates, the whole Patriots organization."
It's becoming clearer every day how good of a player Butler is and can be, but the 26-year-old is also emerging as the leader of the Patriots cornerbacks. In that positional group only Logan Ryan has been in the league longer than Butler, who said Patriots coaches are expecting more responsibility from Butler to lead others - even if it's not the ra-ra type of leadership.
"I don't really lead by running my mouth," said Butler. "I lead by action."
The arrow for Butler keeps pointing skyward, even as the former undrafted free agent out of West Alabama continues to practice without a new contract. Butler wouldn't talk much about his contract situation, but said you don't need to worry about a holdout anytime soon.
"I'm only controlling what I can control. Contract or not, I'm going to come out here and give it my all," said Butler. "That's the type of player I am."
This kind of player?
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
