Quote Originally Posted by woodbuck27 View Post
This was thoroughly discussed yesterday on the NFL Network.

There were several factors that led to Belichick benching Malcolm Butler and the likely deciding factor and what Bill Belichick demands of everyone on his Roster, or to be fully engaged in winning the next game. Malcolm Butler screwed himself and is IMO done as a New England Patriot for at least his immediate future and the NFL.

He needs to prove that he has learned the Bill Belichick way ! He won't prove that now on The New England Patriots.

https://247sports.com/nfl/new-englan...ing--114671391
Butler's benching is nothing but a conspiracy masterminded by Patricia to get Butler to sign with Detroit at the start of free agency. Had Butler played and picked off Foles in the clutch to seal yet another Super Bowl victory for NE, Ole Bill would have no choice but to franchise the Super Bowl hero.

In all seriousness, I concur with those who believe that Belichick erred in benching Butler. Unless you have a better replacement, and from what I've read, NE didn't, you have to go with the guy with the experience, especially in the NFL's grandest stage. Butler's a Super Bowl hero, for Gaylord Focker's sake! Bench Butler for Rowe? A corner who makes Damarious Randall look like Darrell Green?