It's debatable how much the Patriots' deployment is because of this philosophy, how much was due to Ryan's limitations, and how much has been because of Butler's lack of size. To some degree, I think it's all three, and that's why it has succeeded. In the rare instances where Butler had to match up on a bigger receiver (like in 2015 vs Eric Decker because the NYJ also had Brandon Marshall), he struggled. I don't think using him as a true matchup #1 like Patrick Peterson really plays to his strengths.Was this because he can't cover AJ Green (who can?) or because they preferred to have him handle the #2 by himself and give safety help to whoever's on Green? I feel like a guy can still be elite even if he's not always covering the #1 by himself.
They could - and Delvin Breaux's a bigger guy who could maybe take on the bigger receivers - but generally when you pay a guy $12 MM+ you're doing it because you want a lockdown top corner. Is it worth that kind of money to sign a guy just to match up on the #2? Maybe for some teams - Denver pays two CBs big money - but probably not for most.I wouldn't assume that he'll be used that way. The Saints could use him more like the Pats did and Revis beforehand - covering shorter, possession oriented receivers without help and therefore allowing teams to double the Julios, Evans, and Benjamins of the world.
I am hoping the Dave Roberts effect insulates Butler from the kind of revisionist history Chandler Jones, Collins, and Revis, among others, have gotten.Butler is a very good player. I won't be heartbroken if we lose him as long as the draft pick compensation is right but lets not sell him short just because he might be leaving.