NFL: Butler after degradation:”They gave me up.”

It was the first big surprise in the Super Bowl: Instead of Malcolm Butler Eric Rowe started in the Patriots’ Secondary, and Philadelphia attacked the Cornerback several times early and successfully. Butler was then perplexed – and is now likely to leave the team.

“They gave up on me. That’s how it was. It was the coaches’ decision. I don’t know what it was about. Apparently, I haven’t played well enough. But I could have changed the outcome of this game,”said Butler, who was not used defensively after the game.

The Cornerback, who had played 97.8 percent of the defensive snaps in the regular season, added:”I simply did my job and supported my fellow players. I have nothing but good things to say about this organization. They gave me a chance.”

Butler’s contract in New England is now expiring, and by mid-March he will be an Unrestricted Free Agent. Trade rumours had already been heard in the past off-season that Butler seemed to be on the verge of switching to the New Orleans Saints. The events in the Super Bowl may have dispelled last doubt about his departure from New England.