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Notes: Deon Butler

I decided to ditch the play-by-play breakdown because reading and rereading "did not factor" is a chore. Instead below are some highlights and opinions.

I didn't see evidence that Deon Butler will be a good blocker, but I do think Butler will be a consistent blocker. He worked through his blocks on every play and didn't quit. He gets under guys and drives his legs well, but I think most pro corners will rip through his upper body and disengage when needed. Don't underestimate the value of buying a second, though.

USC defenders did not effectively press Butler. Josh Pinkard attempted to jam him in the fourth, and Butler both established position and threw him off and to the side. Pinkard is 6'1", 215.

Butler's longest reception of the day displayed good spacing, good awareness and the kind of effective route running that trumps all.

2nd and 17 at PSU 24 Daryll Clark pass complete to Deon Butler for 35 yards to the USC 41 for a 1ST down.

Penn State is three wide, with Butler alone on the right. Right, in this case, being the "field" or long horizontal of the gridiron. USC is in their ever present 3-4, with Clay Matthews walked up offensive right and Kaluka Maiava positioned over the slot. Cary Harris is opposite Butler.

At the snap, Butler slants in, straightens, and then slants in again after ten yards. Harris has inside position, but is just barely trailing. Trojans rush five and Darryl Clark's pocket collapses as Everson Griffen comes free. Clark squirts out and towards the right flat. Butler's slant lasts about eight yards. The route thus far looks like a skinny post. Harris sticks outside, safely assuming Butler is unlikely to streak too close to Taylor Mays lest he be beheaded. Butler sets Harris up for an inside move by outstretching his right arm, sinking his hips and right-angling towards the right sideline. Harris is staggered. His two legs flail like each is pulled by a different puppeteer. Clark is in trouble. Griffen is steps away in backside pursuit. Cushing and Matthews are closing from the left. Butler begins to fade towards the end zone. Clark jumps and passes a low-angled duck. Harris watches, looks back, sees Butler's separation, closes, but tackles only after the catch. Butler high-points the low pass and pulls it in for 35.

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At one point he speared a Penn State player

blew through him and nearly knocked out one of his own. I think Mays intended to lead with his shoulder, but it was close. He’s clearly an impact player as far as being just incredibly dangerous over the middle, but I didn’t see anything in the way of cover. He blitzed too. I still think he looks like an Urlacher-like linebacker.

by John Morgan on Jul 1, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

So, potential awesome NFL player, just not at the safety position?

"Why is it every time I need to get somewhere, we get waylaid by jackassery?" - Dr. Venture

by Eegah on Jul 1, 2009 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cato June excepted drafted much, much higher?

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 1, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

My hopes for Butler may be a bit pretentious.

I expect Butler to be Kent in speed and Largent in hands. I expect Butler to be Engram in routes, and Hester in YAC. I expect too much. But there is so much to love.

Thanks much for the solid breakdown. The fact that one must take reality in doses is appealing.

It is what it is...

by kidder95 on Jul 1, 2009 6:22 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Hester, Devin?

Eww, go with a flashier name like Boldin.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 1, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It sounds like his route-running tightened up

over the course of the game, given your comments in this and the previous post vs. what you’d written earlier. Reason for hope?

by The Ancient Mariner on Jul 1, 2009 6:39 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I can't wait for the final "grade"

There have been so many up and down posts about Butler I don’t even know what to think anymore!

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Jul 2, 2009 8:24 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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