Move over, Darrelle Revis. The New England Patriots’ Super Bowl hero could be taking over.
Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones, who volunteered with the Special Olympics at Holliston High School on Friday, said he is excited to see cornerback Malcolm Butler grow into a bigger role in 2015.
“I know you guys only heard of Malcolm Butler during the whole Super Bowl thing and that big play, but Malcolm has been making plays for us the whole season in practice, and he’s been getting good looks for us,” Jones told reporters, via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. “So, I’m excited for him to step up as one of the impact players as well.”
Jones said he is impressed that Butler, who made the game-winning interception in Super Bowl XLIX, hasn’t let his sudden fame go to his head.
“Malcolm Butler is a very quiet guy,” Jones said. “He’s a guy that knows his role. He does a good job of ignoring the hype. All the things that are going on with him, and his life changing with that big play, he’s still the same person and I really admire him for that.”
Butler went undrafted out of West Alabama last season and received only one tryout during the undrafted free-agency period. Butler made the most of his opportunity, signed with the Patriots and impressed during OTAs, minicamp and training camp.
Butler stood out in his limited opportunities last season, ranking second in pass deflections-plus-interceptions per target and first in pass deflections-plus-interceptions per cover snap among NFL cornerbacks.
With Revis and Brandon Browner gone, Butler could have a chance to earn a starting role this summer.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
