FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- One of the evolving storylines four days into New England Patriots training camp is the one-on-one competition between Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler and No. 1 wide receiver Julian Edelman.
It has been a combination of good football and spirited trash talk.
Quarterback Tom Brady even got into the act late in Sunday's practice, chirping in Butler's direction after a completion to Edelman. That drew a roar from the standing-room-only crowd and had Butler explaining what unfolded after practice.
"When we’re at practice, I tell Tom, ‘Throw the ball, throw the ball! Throw at me, throw at me!’ When he gets me, he’s going to let me know he threw it. He let me knew he threw it [on that play]," Butler said.
That Butler is drawing such attention from Brady and Edelman reflects his standing as the current top candidate to replace Darrelle Revis at left cornerback. His fluid movement and athleticism are notable, as he's often in position to make plays.
When he makes them, he has delivered his own trash talk in Edelman's direction; Butler had suffocating coverage on Edelman at one point in Sunday's practice and let him know it.
"A little trash talk here and there won’t hurt," he said. "It’ll bring the best out of both sides. It most definitely makes it more fun [to] play around."
But turnabout is fair play and Edelman spun the ball at Butler's feet after one completion, which was the play that sparked Brady's banter.
Asked where Edelman rates among trash talkers he's faced, Butler smiled.
"Most people talk and can’t back it up," he said, pointing out that the two shook hands after the play. "That’s one of the guys that can back it up, and that’s all I got to say about that.”
Butler had more to say about other topics, such as his mindset entering this year after his Super Bowl-saving interception. He doesn't plan on becoming complacent.
"Never think too much of myself; come out here like I’m coming in last year as an undrafted free agent again," he said. "I have to come out here and play like my hair is on fire.”
