FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Bill Belichick has coached 41 years in the NFL, so when the New England Patriots coach says something from a big-picture viewpoint like he did Monday about cornerback Malcolm Butler, it is especially notable.
During his weekly appearance on sports radio WEEI, Belichick was asked about Butler following up his Super Bowl heroics by possibly becoming a larger part of the team's defense.
"I think Malcolm overall has had a real good offseason. I think he, as much as any player that I've been around, has really not changed very much from Year 1 to Year 2," Belichick said on the "Dale and Holley Show", which was hosted by Dale Arnold, Andy Hart and Jerry Thornton.
"I think he's maintained his level of humility, his lifestyle, his sense of purpose. In a lot of ways, he acts like a rookie out there, like he's starting all over again. Which, in a lot of ways, that's the way it is for all of us; we're all starting all over again.
"I think Malcolm has had a real good perspective and has worked hard. He's had a good camp and I think he'll be ready to go."
Butler's limited workload in the preseason opener, as he played just 15 snaps, is reflective of his standing as one of the team's top defenders. That was expounded upon earlier Monday.