Bill Belichick’s Message To Malcolm Butler Before And After Patriots’ Loss

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talked to ex-New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler before and after the 34-10 win. Should we say that both of them skipped the Super Bowl topic?

“It was great, man. It was kind of weird. I haven’t seen him in a long time in person. He just told me good luck and keep fighting and appreciate the four years that we played together,” Butler said.

Butler was not the only player Belichick talked to. He also exchanged a couple of words with former Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan. “Bill came up to me pregame, a couple of them came up to me pregame and said, ‘Hey, you’re having a great year.’ And I thought they were trying to psych me out. I thought they were trying to get me too comfortable and double-move me early. It was fun seeing those guys, but it was also good getting a win,” Ryan said.

Butler was one of the worst starting cornerbacks in the league. The former Patriot allowed more receptions, yards and touchdowns than other cornerbacks, but he was really great against the Patriots. Butler let up just a 6-yard catch to James White and a 5-yard reception to Julian Edelman in 50 snaps.

“Maybe they probably thought that I wanted revenge or I was going to play hard, ain’t no telling. There was a couple plays they could have thrown it, but they didn’t. So, let it be,” Butler said of his former teammates.

“It’s a new season for me. I put Week 1 through (9) behind me and I’m rolling with this week on forward. This is my second season, so I’m going to do anything to help my team win. It’s been tough for me. I’ve pretty much been spoiled my first four years in the NFL — Pro Bowls, Super Bowls, All-Pro — and this is a time in my life and my career I haven’t experienced. I’m managing it well, and I feel like I turned a corner.”