Sunday, May 3, 2009

Deon Butler won't go to waste

by: Chris Sullivan

At least, not according to Nate Burleson. Butler appears to be another high character, low ego guy to add to the team. While we've noticed some lack of intensity in the past from such players, one thing we are seeing this year in Curry and Butler (and probably Unger + Co. too, but I haven't seen the articles yet...) are humble guys who are leaning on the veterans for assistance. Butler, in particular, has fessed to having a hard time adjusting to NFL routes, and is leaning on guys like TJ "The J stands for Route!" Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch and, yes, Nate Burleson. Says Burly of Butler:

...[J]ust by watching him practice, there’s no way he’s going to be sitting on the bench on game day, and that is for sure. … Running past some of the guys that we’re going to have on the field on the defensive side, it just shows that he’s going to be a competitor. And he’s going to be an integral part of our receiving corps.”
And so it goes. This is the prototypical Ruskell guy -- hardworking, chip on his shoulder, nothing but productive, small ego, team player, big school, and generally a bit undersized. I'm excited. 
END