Malcolm Butler’s learning in a hurry that last year’s results don’t matter to Bill Belichick this year.
According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the Patriots suspended the Super Bowl savior for three weeks of practice because he missed his flight and was late to the first OTA on May 18. Butler apparently reached out to the team to let them know about his canceled flight, but he didn’t find a sympathetic ear.
That seems harsh, but Belichick has sent players home because they were late during blizzards before, so it’s not like Butler didn’t know who he was working for.
The cornerback has been around the facility working out and going to meetings, but he hasn’t been allowed on the practice field. That’s expected to change later this week and for next week’s mandatory minicamp.
The Patriots were in flux at cornerback anyway after Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner left, so it’s not like they couldn’t use the help. He’ll be competing for a spot with Logan Ryan and Bradley Fletcher for the starting jobs, assuming he’s there on time.