ty law

Putting Malcolm Butler’s 2017 RFA Contract in Historical Context

April 6, 2017 by Mike Dussault

Not gonna lie, I’m not really enjoying the last couple weeks of the “Butler’s mad, maybe they’ll get Sherman” merry-go-round. Long gone are the days of “holy hoodie we got Brandin Cooks.” Now it seems like all anyone cares about is what’s going to happen with Butler.

For the record I love Butler. And not just for the SB49-sealing interception. I believe he’s the best young corner the Pats have had since Ty Law and I do hope that he sticks around in New England for a long time. However, with the first round RFA tender Butler is scheduled for a 652 percent raise, going from making $600K in 2016 to $3.91 million in 2017.

This would also give Butler the 9th-highest average annual salary under Belichick. So I think we need to pump the brakes a bit on how much Butler is getting screwed here. By now we know this is how the Pats do business. There’s no sentimentality, it’s all about maximizing the 1-53 roster even if some feathers get ruffled.

Let’s take a look at what the Pats have paid corners in the past and how Butler fits into it all, even on his RFA first round tender.

How Do Patriots Get Three-Out-Of-Four, Twice?

March 29, 2017 by Mike Dussault

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6XfJbE6GVI

The Patriots have won two of the last three Super Bowls and all is right with the world. But slowly, my focus has shifted to the 2017 season and just what is at stake.

New England cemented their dynasty in 2004 by winning three-out-of-four Super Bowls and now are staring down the opportunity to do it again, 13 years later. I found myself looking back at the 2004 America’s Game episode above and remembering how the crown jewel of the NFL stayed focused and hungry enough to repeat as champions.

It sure won’t be easy. The target on the Patriots’ backs will be even bigger in 2017 than it was in 2004, as if we ever thought that would be possible. Any bit of the mystique that they lost in Super Bowl defeats or other season-enders is very much gone. That’s what overcoming a 25-point hole on the biggest of stages can do. If the Pats lacked the magic in 2007 and 2011, they certainly got it back in 2014 and 2016, and now they could put their franchise into another stratosphere by winning Super Bowl 52. And there are 31 teams that will be dying for a shot at them.

Here are my thoughts on what the 2004 did right and how the 2017 Patriots can learn from their successful season.

Ty Law Named NFL Hall of Fame Semi-Finalist

November 17, 2016 by Mike Dussault

The first of the Dynasty Pats has come up for the NFL Hall of Fame, with Ty Law being named a semi-finalist.

Here’s the 26 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017! #PFHOF17 pic.twitter.com/5z4v6RIMvL

— Pro Football HOF (@ProFootballHOF) November 17, 2016

Law was selected in the first round of the 1995 draft and played 10 seasons with the Patriots and won three Super Bowls, appearing in four. Of all the dynasty defense, Law might’ve had the most flash and broad appeal, although Willie McGinest might have something to say about that. Law made five Pro Bowls and was twice named an All Pro (1998, 2003). 36 of his 53 career interceptions came with the Pats.

Perhaps most interesting about Law is the window he provided into how Bill Belichick values cornerbacks. Here’s a tidbit from a previous article I wrote on how things broke down for Law in New England:

We begin in 2000 with Ty Law and Otis Smith. Law was already in the midst of a seven-year, $51 million deal he signed before Belichick arrived, while Smith, at age 34, was brought in on a veteran minimum deal. Smith would go on to start Super Bowl XXXVI with Law.

Law was the first example of how Belichick valued cornerbacks. In 2004, Law wanted another extension and the Patriots offered him $26 million over four years. Even today that would be the biggest contract extension the Patriots ever awarded to a corner.

Law called the offer an insult and countered with a seven-year deal worth $63 million, including a $20 million signing bonus.

Then-general manager Scott Pioli simply responded “We can’t do that. Save the paper.”

Law would play out 2004 and then be cut in ’05 and sign with the Jets for an almost identical contract to his last, seven years, $50 million. He was released after just one year by the cap-strapped Jets and would then sign a five-year deal with the Chiefs worth $30 million. He would play just two seasons in Kansas City and continue to kick around until he retired after the 2009 season.

It will be interesting to see if Malcolm Butler, the closest thing the Pats have had to a cornerback of Law’s skill, ends up in a similar situation.

15 finalists will be named in January. Law should have a good chance, but of course I think that…