Little Bit of Scouting on Darius Butler (And other Pats DB's)

[TylerDurden]

Again, we cheated too.. How do people forget these things?

Yes because Rodney Harrison wasn't suspended for using illegal/banned substances and Tom Brady wasn't linked to them either.

Sorry, the steroids vs. spygate thing doesn't level the playing field, but it's in the past.

[Fiz]

Per Mike Reiss, their beat writer.

Here's a glimpse at the statistical decline with PFF numbers:

2009: 69 targets, 39 receptions, 475 yards, 107 YAC, 2 TD, 3 INT, 69.4 QB rating

2010: 49 targets, 30 receptions, 390 yards, 112 YAC, 3 TD, 0 INT, 106.7 QB rating

As a means of comparison, here's a glimpse at last year's numbers for rookie cornerback Devin McCourty, who earned a Pro Bowl nod for his first-year efforts, and Kyle Arrington, who took over Butler's starting job:

McCourty: 104 targets, 58 receptions, 614 yards, 174 YAC, 5 TD, 7 INT, 61.1 QB rating

Arrington: 75 targets, 49 receptions, 742 yards, 195 YAC, 5 TD, 1 INT, 114.4 QB rating

Based on PFF numbers, Arrington struggled just as mightily as Butler, but the difference might have been that Arrington kept showing up on special teams, adding to his overall value. Arrington was also an undrafted free agent and didn't have the same lofty expectations as Butler.

It's worth noting that PFF numbers graded Butler as the team's second best pass coverage player. In fact, Butler graded out as the 18th best pass coverage corner in the league among cornerbacks that played at least 25 percent of their team's snaps, according to PFF's grading system.

Alas, four coverage penalties, as well as a lack of support in run defense, hurt Butler's overall grade (he ranked 43rd overall there).

He can't tackle so he'll fit in great in Carolina.

[Fiz]

Why can't the Pats draft decent CBs anyway? Is it their scouting, or a problem coaching them up to NFL caliber?

Devin McCourty is good as heck and Patrick Chung is serviceable. As a whole, Belichick is nowhere near as good a drafter as the media gives him credit for.

[Kurb]

Devin McCourty is good as heck and Patrick Chung is serviceable. As a whole, Belichick is nowhere near as good a drafter as the media gives him credit for.

He shotguns the draft.

Fire as many shots as possible and hits a couple bulls eyes to become a "genius"

[TylerDurden]

Again, you can do what BB does draft-wise when you're winning 11 games a year and stockpile draft picks from teams making stupid trades.

He's got picks to burn, I imagine it's fun for him.

[rmoneyg35]

Didn't we just cut a Uconn Corner? I know a lot of Pats players end up sucking elsewhere but I hope it will be different for this kid.

I see mixed reviews about him. I don't know how the Pats D was last year and I don't know if they were getting less pressure in 2010 as they were in 2011 but

this isn't good at all.

This is all I needed to see. as long as he doesn't get burned often then I think he can be our #2 CB.

Defending the pass: With exceptional closing speed, he doesn’t get burned often … Ten career interceptions, but none as a senior … Ran back two of his INTs for touchdowns … In his last two seasons, no opposing receiver caught a TD pass against him … Sometimes looks like the receiver because he gets good reads … Won’t be physical at the line.

Per ESPN.

in Week 1, the Cincinnati Bengals blitzed Butler, throwing at him a whopping 12 times in the season-opener, according to target stats logged by Pro Football Focus. The Bengals completed 10 of those tosses for 133 yards and a touchdown.

A week later, the Jets completed 5 of 6 passes in his direction for 74 yards and another score. By Week 3, Butler wasn't just yanked from the starting lineup, he played a mere four defensive snaps that game and his playing time barely recovered (he did log one additional start later in the season, but ultimately played just 41.9 percent of New England's total defensive snaps last season).

Here's a glimpse at the statistical decline with PFF numbers:

2009: 69 targets, 39 receptions, 475 yards, 107 YAC, 2 TD, 3 INT, 69.4 QB rating

2010: 49 targets, 30 receptions, 390 yards, 112 YAC, 3 TD, 0 INT, 106.7 QB rating

However this is some good news

It's worth noting that PFF numbers graded Butler as the team's second best pass coverage player. In fact, Butler graded out as the 18th best pass coverage corner in the league among cornerbacks that played at least 25 percent of their team's snaps, according to PFF's grading system. Alas, four coverage penalties, as well as a lack of support in run defense, hurt Butler's overall grade (he ranked 43rd overall there).

He might just have had a bad season. I don't understand how he can have such a great rookie season then play that bad the following year. Maybe he was playing with a injury? Or maybe the bad defense around him hurt him? Either way I think a change of scenery will help the kid forget last season and hopefully will have a good season here.

I think Ron Meeks will be able to develop him a lot better than who ever the Pats secondary coach is.

[bleys]

Again, you can do what BB does draft-wise when you're winning 11 games a year and stockpile draft picks from teams making stupid trades.

He's got picks to burn, I imagine it's fun for him.

BB isn't dumb enough to stockpile draft picks only to hit on 1 or 2 every year...

the fact remains, BB sucks at drafting.. one of the worst in the NFL.