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The New England Patriots’ sudden and mysterious decision to bench starting cornerback Malcolm Butler for the Super Bowl was one of the biggest stories coming out of the game. Head coach Bill Belichick, as usual, didn’t really specify what his reasons for benching Butler were, although reports surfaced that he didn’t play due to disciplinary reasons.
However, fellow Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty has set the record straight by saying there is no truth to those rumors. He goes on to further say that the whole team pretty much knew well before the game that Butler wasn’t starting.
“As far as I know, all of that is the furthest thing from the truth,” McCourty told NJ.com. “We all knew he wasn't starting all week. That wasn't a secret to the guys on the team.”I get why people are fishing. The guy played 98 percent of the plays. I just hate that for him character-wise going into free agency. It's just not true. As far as I know — and I was there all week — not one time did anything come up.”
McCourty's comments aren't entirely consistent with another report that came out shortly after the Super Bowl. Eric Rowe said he only knew a few hours before the game that he was starting over Butler. Moreover, he and other Patriots players were apparently “puzzled” as to why Butler didn't play.
If McCourty's statement that Butler wasn’t being punished for breaking any team rules is indeed accurate, then it likely means the true reason for his benching was purely for gameplan purposes. However, the team’s inability to adjust that gameplan by playing Butler even as the Patriots secondary clearly couldn’t contain the Eagles offense becomes a bigger indictment on the coaching staff.
The whole Butler benching story remains shrouded in some mystery even with McCourty's new revelation. It will likely take a few more Patriots coming out before a complete picture is finally revealed.
