Patriots Bring Back TE Carson Butler

by Richard Hill on Jan 26, 2012 10:44 AM EST in New England Patriots News

Yesterday, the Patriots placed TE Dorin Dickerson on the practice squad injured reserve. Today, the Patriots have announced the signing of TE Carson Butler to the Patriots practice squad.

Butler is a 6-4, 260 lbs tight end who was part of the 2009 NFL Draft class (undrafted). He bounced around the league on numerous practice squads as a rookie. Butler spent the 2010 NFL season with the New England Patriots on the practice squad and was with the Patriots through camp.

Butler has 4.5 40 yard dash speed and will most likely provide insurance if Rob Gronkowski is unable to play the Super Bowl. Gronkowski is suffering from an ankle injury and was noted that he wouldn't have practiced if the team had met earlier this week. Dickerson, the TE placed on the IR, missed practice prior to the Ravens game so the injury isn't too much of a surprise.

Dickerson seems to be a long term project by the Patriots, so placing him on the IR protects him for the season. Also, even if Dickerson could play, he's an entirely different player than Gronkowski. Butler will provide a much closer player to Gronkowski in case of a worst case scenario.

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I'm not sure I understand

So Butler, if needed, COULD play in the Super Bowl in place of Gronkowski? O_o

Go Pats. Celtics. Red Sox. Bruins.
Brady. Pierce. Thomas. How you doing?

by Tai on Jan 26, 2012 12:15 PM EST reply actions

This is speculation

But could it also be because obviously Gronk needs to rest his ankle. So you put Butler in during the practices to run the plays that Gronk would normally run so that the practices are more similar to having Gronk in on practice. This keeps Brady and the offense sharper in these types of plays. So that when Gronk is ready to play for the Superbowl, they won’t miss a beat.

by Timberg193 on Jan 26, 2012 12:42 PM EST reply actions 4 recs

^This

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 26, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, exaclty

Both Butler and Mills are familiar with the system, but Mills is more similar to Hernandez than Gronk which is likely why the team went with Butler.

by Greg Knopping on Jan 26, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly.

It also prepares Butler in case of a worst case scenario. Patriots ran the same thing with Garrett Mills when Hernandez was injured.

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by Richard Hill on Jan 26, 2012 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

Haha thanks guys

by Timberg193 on Jan 26, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

Hands over ears - La, La, La

Butler will provide a much closer player to Gronkowski in case of a worst case scenario.

I’m not listening…

La, La, La…

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

by MaPatsFan on Jan 26, 2012 1:09 PM EST reply actions

Obi Wan has taught you well, young jedi.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 26, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

General hypothetical question

Even assuming Gronk will be 100 percent healthy, would it be possible for Carson Butler to make the Super Bowl roster? Say if perhaps an offensive lineman gets scratched or something?

by Justin_Bobo on Jan 26, 2012 2:31 PM EST reply actions

If Vollmer doesn't make it, then he might be a go.

Although, if Vollmer doesn’t make it to this game, then why the heck didn’t they IR him?

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 26, 2012 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

Optimism- the hope of his returning to health sprung eternal, only to be denied at every pass.

"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."

by dannijd on Jan 27, 2012 12:12 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

nah- he'll be there

if BB doesn’t have that confidence that he could- this would be a non-story

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 27, 2012 1:32 AM EST up reply actions

Well

Vollmer has practiced the last couple of weeks, to be fair. Sometimes, it happens.

Go Pats. Celtics. Red Sox. Bruins.
Brady. Pierce. Thomas. How you doing?

by Tai on Jan 27, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

Dwyane Wade

They probably should have had a third TE from the get go. Wade just came back after 13 days from what was called a severe sprain. He said it was the worst he has ever had. I would think Gronk could make it back to the field after two weeks.

by Alliecon on Jan 28, 2012 6:58 PM EST reply actions