NFL Draft Profile: Cornerback Mario Butler
by BirdGT on Jan 31, 2011 1:00 PM EST
in Georgia Tech Football
Email
PrintGeorgia Tech's most penalized player of 2010: Mario Butler. Butler was the crusty veteran at cornerback for the Jackets in 2010. He saw action in 51 games for Tech and started in 39. Butler matched up one on one with Demaryius Thomas (a 2010 1st round Draft pick) every day for 3 years from 2007-2009. He has also matched up with a ton of talented ACC and SEC receivers in live fire including Hakeem Nicks, Jacoby Ford, A.J. Green, Mohamed Massaquoi, Brooks Foster, Leonard Hankerson, and Brandon Tate.
The first issue that should be addressed with any DB should be how good their overall unit was. From 2008-2010, GT was 5th, 5th, and 7th in conference passing defense. So we were average to good. There are thousands of factors that go into this but it's a start on breaking down a DB.
The next issue is tackling. Mario made 3.2 tackles/game in 2008, 3.2 tackles/game in 2009, and 3.9 tackles per game in 2010. As he matured, he missed less tackles. And he actually made a good percentage of his 2010 stops in run support, which is a very good sign to NFL squads looking for tough CB's. Butler racked up over 10 tackles for loss since 2010 all against running backs trying to take the outside.
Butler's coverage skills may come into question when scouts break down his film. He only picked off 4 passes at Tech in four years. As I mentioned earlier, Butler found himself in a bind several times as well and drew 6 pass interference calls in 2010.
I think Butler will probably get drafted late in the 2011 NFL Draft or at least earn a free agent contract. He's a great run stopping defensive back and could definitely be contributor on special teams at the next level. Mario Butler participated in the East-West Shrine Game this past Saturday.
3 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Did he play his position?
Anyway to tell how he did in terms of staying in position? This past season it seemed like Tech gave up a lot of big plays when someone was out of position. It was hard for me to tell (without getting serious and reviewing game films) who the culprits were. Sometimes a player would look really bad but I had a feeling it was because someone else missed coverage.
I especially remember a certain defensive back who got caught naked, in space, one-on-one with a shake-in-bake receiver and never laid a glove on him as the receiver walked the defender backwards into the end zone. I know you know the play. My point is somebody was supposed to be covering underneath but I don’t know who that was and it made the lone defender look really bad. It was embarrassing.
by Atlanta's original team on Jan 31, 2011 3:25 PM EST reply actions
If you’re thinking of the same play that I am, it was an outside linebacker (the left one from the perspective of the QB) that had the underneath responsibility. At least that’s what the TV guys said and it looked that way on the replay. I don’t recall the LB or even which game it was. I just remember the replay and seeing DB get embarassed.
by Dive Keep and Pitch on Feb 1, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
Not to mention names but his name begins with E.
by Atlanta's original team on Feb 1, 2011 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on From The Rumble Seat
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
SHOP THE FROM THE RUMBLE SEAT STORE
