Malcolm Butler - Belichick's ego cost him the game?

[jetscrazey]

I don't care what the Patriots say, you can't tell me that was a better defense with Malcolm Butler not playing.  They got gashed terribly.  Best thing I can think of is Belichick figured Butler was a goner and wanted to hurt his market value, putting his own selfish interests ahead of the team's best chance of winning.

[TuscanyTile2]

 

[jetsons]

6 minutes ago, jetscrazey said:

I don't care what the Patriots say, you can't tell me that was a better defense with Malcolm Butler not playing.  They got gashed terribly.  Best thing I can think of is Belichick figured Butler was a goner and wanted to hurt his market value, putting his own selfish interests ahead of the team's best chance of winning.

I disagree, to me it's obvious that Malcolm violated some team rule & Belichick punished him for it...  On this I agree w/Belichick 100000%

[Larz]

The fact that he played specials would seem to indicate that the wasn't benched for disciplinary reasons 

He was crying at the beginning so I would think he was told then about the demotion 

Agholor and Jeffrey are big, maybe it was just a size thing? 

[TuscanyTile2]

3 minutes ago, jetsons said:

I disagree, to me it's obvious that Malcolm violated some team rule & Belichick punished him for it...  On this I agree w/Belichick 100000%

That's what I think.  Maybe he mouthed off that he had 1 foot out the door or something like that.

[slimjasi]

Beli's ego may have hurt him here, but whatever the case may be, it's a stretch to write "cost him the game."

And I think Butler is a good player. Just sayin.