FOXBORO, Mass. — Malcolm Butler has a big fan in New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles.
Bowles, who coaches Darrelle Revis and previously worked closely with other top cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Vontae Davis, paid Butler a big compliment Tuesday in a conference call with the New England media.
“Malcolm’s probably one of the best in the league,” Bowles said when asked about Butler and fellow Patriots starting cornerback Logan Ryan. “He shows up, he takes the best cover guy. They can play zone, they can play man. They’re big, they’re physical, they tackle. That defense has been playing outstanding, and those two corners are a big part of it.”
Butler, 25, took on Jets receiver Eric Decker in the Patriots’ Week 7 matchup with New York and allowed five catches on 11 targets for 82 yards. He also was flagged for illegal use of hands, holding and had an 18-yard pass interference penalty.
Ryan had help over the top on Brandon Marshall from free safety Devin McCourty and allowed four catches on seven targets for 67 yards. McCourty sat out of the Patriots’ Week 15 win over the Tennessee Titans with a high-ankle sprain. If he can’t go against the Jets, Duron Harmon would take his place over the top.
Bowles explained why he admires Butler so much.
“He studies the game,” Bowles said. “He’s not just a man corner, he’s a zone corner too. He’s feisty. He has very good technique, which is rare. He’s got great hand-eye coordination. He reads the ball, he accepts all challenges. You can tell he works at it. I enjoy watching him play.”
Butler has lined up against Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills wideout Sammy Watkins, New York Giants star Odell Beckham, the Washington Redskins’ Desean Jackson and Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. The second-year pro has given up 46 catches on 90 targets for 778 yards with six touchdowns, two interceptions and 13 pass breakups.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
