Malcolm Butler 'No Comments' Punishment, Feels He Hasn't Missed A Step

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots were back on the practice field on Thursday, as was cornerback Malcolm Butler.

The Super Bowl-saving cornerback had been disciplined by head coach Bill Belichick for being late to the first OTA session, according to a report, which kept the second-year player off the practice field for the past several weeks.

Butler declined to say whether he agreed with the punishment, stiff-arming the media with a "no comment." But he did say that thanks to work in the film room and the weight room, he feels as though he's up to speed.

"Today wasn't my first day. I've been here all week. So the focus is on everything, getting better, footwork, communication with teammates. Everything -- everything to win," Butler said. "I got out here today, and I don't feel like I missed a step. I feel pretty confident."

When asked what it takes to be at the level of his teammates, he channeled the words of his head coach.

"Just gotta get back in the rhythm of it," Butler said. "So, it is what it is."

Speaking of Belichick, the head coach was predictably mum on the topic.

"He's been out there," Belichick said when asked about Butler. "Everybody that's out there is working hard. Guys that aren't out there, we hope we get them back soon."

When asked specifically if he had a comment on the report of his discipline on Butler, Belichick said, "No."

The initial report from the Herald's Jeff Howe noted that Butler took the punishment in stride and has not been a disruption to the team during his time away from the practice field.

"Oh, most definitely. You take anything from somebody that they love ... yeah, it was tough. But, you know, it is what it is," Butler said. "This is a big opportunity. I don't want to mess up. So I've got to prepare myself the best way I can. So that's what I'm going to do."

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• Bill Belichick
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• New England Patriots