Will Victor Butler Make The Saints Roster?
May 29, 2014; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Victor Butler (90) during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
When the Saints acquired former Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Victor Butler, Rob Ryan promised New Orleans Saints fans that the team had picked up a quality pass rusher. After a season-ending injury last year and some kind of mysterious injury causing him to miss valuable reps this preseason, should Saints fans expect Victor Butler to deliver on Ryan’s promise?
"For a player like Victor Butler, it’s seriously threatening his chances of making the team. Because the Saints have no way to evaluate (him) outside of practice. – Saints Beat Reporter Katherine Terrell"
Victor Butler has not been involved in training camp team drills or even walkthroughs. The rare times he has been seen, he has sported some kind of walking boot or leg wrap. Butler tore his ACL before the preseason last year. He was a full participant in organized team activities this year, so his ACL seems to be fully recovered.
The Saints have not provided any information on what is keeping Butler from participating in training camp. According to beat reporter Katherine Terrell, the team may be running out of patience.
"Very real possibility (He doesn’t make the team), and very unfortunate. But from the Saints’ standpoint, what are you going to do? – Saints Beat Reporter Katherine Terrell"
Butler flashed NFL starter-level talent as the backup for DeMarcus Ware in Dallas under Rob Ryan. Learning from a player like Ware and his hunger to establish a name for himself in the NFL, made him a great player for the Saints to target. It wouldn’t be fair to call him a bust acquisition.
"I don’t think it was a misfire necessarily. Last year was a freak accident. I saw it happen myself and it was just one of those things you don’t expect. Didn’t even look that serious when it happened. – Beat Reporter Katherine Terrell"
This could be an overreaction to a lack of information. If Butler isn’t seriously hurt and its just extreme preseason precaution ( I can’t imagine that, but anything is possible), then I’m just spinning my wheels.
If his mystery injury is as serious as many are speculating, don’t be surprised if you see his name among the first round of cuts on August 26th.
Do you think Victor Butler makes the team? Sound off in the comments section below!
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