Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Wednesday, after his three-week practice window ended, the Saints decided to not activate Victor Butler, according to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Butler started practicing on Nov. 19, but apparently wasn’t ready to contribute.

Butler was injured in June during OTAs, and at the time it seemed it was a crushing blow for a team lacking pass-rush options. He was brought in from Dallas, where he backed up DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer and was familiar with coordinator Rob Ryan’s system.


Read the rest at ProFootballTalk.com

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Oh well, I hope everyone else stays healthy.

At least we'll have good OLB competition in 2014.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

I think our d-line and linebackers gelling again this past weekend put this in motion. Also, getting Vaccarro and Harper back helped. Doesn't make sense to put a guy out there just to get more hurt and preventing him from playing next season when other factors are starting to gel.

I never thought he'd make it back this season anyway, so I was shocked he was coming off pup anyway.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Makes me think we might not draft an OLB in the first round since we'll get this guy back.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

I think that we still need some depth though. It is a pretty good LB class coming out.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Awesome!!! You're going Pro? :p

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

hmm.

seems to me we have a backfield full of linebacker/safety/cornerback hybrids.

get well soon VB

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

We definitely need depth and if someone like Kyle Van Noy is still there when we pick then definitely pull the trigger... But with Butler we're essentially getting a new player next season who already knows the defense. I think our defense hasn't begun to scratch the surface of where it could be when we have all the players we need at every position.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Remember all that talk about not having any pass rush? LOLOLOL

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Best of luck Victor! I look forward to watching him contribute in 2014.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

ILB depth is needed for sure. we have a bunch of run stuffer in the middle but pass defense is a bit slow as is the sideline to side line speed.

any ho he gets to work out and get stronger. 100% healthy for 2014

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Hagan, you hit the nail on the head, need to work on our coverage with the ILB corps but still have to say Hawthorne is a baller and I think that Reddick will turn into a stud if we develop him properly...I wouldn't mind seeing Kyle Van Noy in black & gold, but Gallette is just playing out of his mind right now and I'm sure Butler will be a welcome addition in 2014.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

100% agree with this. I love the way our linebackers can stuff the run but when they have to cover or chase someone they are average at best. I would like to see us add some speed to this position this offseason.

Until then, Harper and Vaccaro will need to continue to play at the hybrid linebacker/safety position.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

With Butler coming back next year healthy and the OLB we have now we should be in good shape at OLB's next season. An ILB will be exactly what is needed. I love the thought of OLB making the opposing O think they are coming and an ILB shooting strait up the middle to lay a rb. or qb. flat on their back. Cover skills as you stated is a must. I would like to see another bull-rush DT and a ball-hawking FS. I look forward to a real 3-4 next season.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Isn't Butler a FA next year?

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

He signed for two years

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Don't forget we still have Rufus as an OLB next season, if everything works out were loaded at OLB. Next I hope for a ILB in a 3/4 like a Vaughn Johnson type, a beast.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

Well if he can get us at least 3 sacks and about 10 tackles before the playoffs and get in game shape its a plus for us.

Re: Saints will not activate Victor Butler from PUP
 

um, Butler will not be activated... he is now on the official IR We'll have to wait until next season to see what he's got