Darius Butler Ready to Shine in Secondary Against Colts

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Nov 12, 2009

Darius Butler Ready to Shine in Secondary Against Colts FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A few years from now, Darius Butler is hoping a young cornerback comes into the New England Patriots locker room and says, “I want to make plays like he does. I want to be on those highlight reels like No. 28.”

Butler, who went to UConn and was one of the Patriots’ four second-round selections in April’s draft, has seen all of the Patriots-Colts matchups in recent years, partly because they’ve gotten more exposure than a Kanye West ego trip and partly because of his New England ties.

When asked what he remembers most about the games, Butler recalled Asante Samuel returning an interception 39 yards for a touchdown in the 2006 AFC championship, which the Colts won. During the Patriots’ recent run of postseason success, there have been a number of key defensive plays that have burned images on New England television screens, whether they’re from Samuel, Rodney Harrison or even Troy Brown. Perhaps the most famous of all was Ty Law’s pick-six in Super Bowl XXXVI.

With his first chance to go up against Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, Butler knows he’s got a chance to rise to a greater level and do something special.

“Definitely, growing up, you always see yourself [on this stage],” Butler said. “That’s like watching the NBA and wanting to play against [Michael] Jordan. It’s the same thing. I envision myself going up against the best and making some plays.”

Butler will obviously get an increased chance to make plays Sunday night because he has played well enough in recent weeks to earn extended playing time. He has started in two of the Patriots’ last three games and also recorded his first two career interceptions during that stretch.

Butler showed plenty of potential at UConn and was projected as a possible first-round draft pick, so his recent play isn’t much of a surprise. He really jumped onto the scene during New England’s Week 4 victory against the Baltimore Ravens, when Butler subbed in during the last defensive drive of the game and shut down wide receiver Mark Clayton, who had torched the Pats' secondary earlier on the same drive.

“I’m just trying to build my trust with my teammates,” said Butler, who has nine total tackles, two picks and four passes defensed this season. “I’m glad they trust me and my coaches trust me. Whenever I get my opportunity, I want to go out there and capitalize.”

That may never be more difficult than on Sunday against Manning, whom Harrison on Wednesday called “the best pure quarterback in the National Football League.”

“He pretty much knows what [coverage] you’re in,” Butler said. “He attacks weaknesses of defenses. Obviously, you see the checks he makes at the line of scrimmage. He’s always getting his team out of good and bad plays. That’s what makes him great.

“We have to be disciplined. We have to be disciplined in our disguises, disciplined in our assignments and just play assignment football. It always really comes back to that.”

Butler said his biggest improvement since coming to the NFL has been gaining a better understanding when watching and studying film, which obviously helps with all areas of his game, including play recognition. He’s gotten a huge helping hand from the veterans around him, such as cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden.

The other veterans — the guys on the opposite side of the ball — will help Butler overcome another obstacle Sunday night. With a few A-list football celebrities in his own locker room, Butler won’t be worrying about lining up against one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

“I wouldn’t say it’s surreal,” Butler said of playing against Manning. “I kind of get used to it. I came onto a team with Tom Brady and Randy Moss, so I kind of got over that. I’m just ready to go out there and beat him. Obviously, it’s going to be a great challenge. He’s a great quarterback in this league.”

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