The Butler Can Do It

On Sunday there were two changes to the starting line-up. OLB Tully Banta-Cain was replaced by rookie Jermaine Cunningham and CB Kyle Arrington was moved ahead of Darius Butler.

Head coach Bill Belichick wouldn’t say either decision was a benching. Belichick said the team has to improve in all areas and the changes could just be cases of adjusting to match-ups.

We could somewhat buy that for Tully, but Darius’ case looks performance related. In two consecutive weeks, he was soundly beaten by receivers Chad Ochocinco of Cincinnati and the New York Jets’ Braylon Edwards. Sitting Butler is a decision many coaches would make under these circumstances.

This is a learning year for the Patriots defense and Butler looks like he is at the back of the class. The challenges have Butler’s head swimming and it might be best for him to take a step back and refresh what got him to the NFL in the first place. But for how long should Butler be out of the starting lineup?

In Butler’s place, Arrington wasn’t much of an improvement as Buffalo QB Ryan Fitzpatrick became the third passer to have his way with the secondary. Butler did play but was a non-factor.

It’s a tough way to start year two for the former UConn Husky. Darius wasn’t supposed to be the top corner after a promising rookie season. But the season-ending injury to Leigh Bodden thrust Butler into a position he hasn’t been ready for thus far.

The good news is getting burnt is refocusing Butler as he said he will put more time into his studies. Extra work and a reserve role could do wonders for his confidence if it was bruised. But the coaches can insulate Darius only so much.

Like many of the youngsters, the coaching staff is watching closely to find the right roles for the players. There’s not much after the top three corners of Butler, Arrington, and rookie Devin McCourty. New England learned last year that Jonathan Wilhite isn’t starting material. And Terrence Wheatley can’t stay healthy to compete for snaps.

For now Butler is demoted. But that doesn’t mean it’s permanent. Every young player takes their lumps. How they respond defines what they become as players. If Butler does everything right off the field, it won’t be long before Darius is back to being one of the first defenders stepping onto the field again.