Konsolen Treiber » But with the man responsible for the biggest defensive

So many times this season Austin Bryant Jersey , New England’s defense made plays when it had to give Tom Brady and the Patriots offense a chance to win.
Patriots’ Super Bowl history watching from the bench, it couldn’t figure out the Philadelphia Eagles in a 41-33 loss Super Bowl loss on Sunday.

Malcolm Butler, whose interception in the end zone sealed New England’s Super win over Seattle in the 2015 Super Bowl, didn’t play a defensive snap on Sunday.

Bill Belichick said only that they ”put the best players in the game plan like we always do.” Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said Butler was in parts of the game plan, but those parts weren’t used in the game.

Butler missed a day of practice last week with an illness. He warmed up and was in uniform, but watched the game’s biggest moments from the sideline. It was the first Patriots game in which Butler did not play a first quarter snap since their Super Bowl win over Seattle to cap the 2014 season. He started 17 of New England’s previous 18 games entering Sunday, including both playoff victories.

He seemed exasperated afterward, telling reporters: ”I ain’t got nothing to say.”

Without him, New England’s defense – and particular the secondary – had trouble keeping Foles and Philadelphia’s offense in check.

New England allowed 41 points, more than they have given up in any Super Bowl in the Belichick era. It also surrendered 538 total yards, including 373 through the air to MVP Nick Foles. LeGarrette Blount, a former Patriots running back, rushed 14 times for 90 yards and touchdown.

Eric Rowe started in Butler’s place. He struggled early Rashan Gary Jersey , giving up three catches for 66 yards, including Foles’ first touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery.

Butler’s teammates seemed confused by the change, which cornerback Stephon Gilmore said they didn’t find out until game time.

”Could he have helped us out? I don’t know. He wasn’t out there, so I don’t know,” Gilmore said. ”We just couldn’t never get off the field. I mean, we could never make a play to give the ball back out our offense.”

The Eagles punted only once in the game and converted on a pair of fourth downs.

The Patriots offense did its part. It didn’t punt and had no turnovers through three quarters. After playing from behind most of the night, Brady gave New England its first lead of the game, 33-32 on a 4-yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski with 9:22 to play.

But when the Patriots needed a hero late, no one was able to make a big play.

And on the ensuing drive New England safety Devin McCourty couldn’t keep Zach Ertz from stretching the ball across the goal line for an 11-yard touchdown reception from Foles that wound up being the game winner .

The Patriots entered the game with 159-15 record, including a perfect 16-0 in the playoffs, when they had won the turnover battle.

They had the first one of the night, on an interception by safety Duron Harmon in the first half.

But it wasn’t enough.

Philadelphia used some trickery, facing fourth-and-goal on the 1 with less than a minute to play in the half.

After a timeout Darnell Savage Jr. Jersey , the Eagles got the ball to Trey Burton on a reverse, who flipped a pass to a wide-open Foles for a touchdown.

New England pulled to within 22-19 after scoring on the opening drive of the second half.

The Patriots defense would break down again, though, this time letting Corey Clement get behind Marquis Flowers and McCourty for an over the shoulder 22-yard catch in the back of the end zone.

Safety Patrick Chung was shaken up on that play and missed a few series. He returned to action in the fourth quarter but had to leave again late in the game with a head injury.

”There was nothing we hadn’t seen. We just didn’t play good fundamentally,” Rowe said.

He said Butler was a presence on the sideline even though he didn’t play.

”After that first touchdown he just came up to me and was like `Keep playing. Keep your head up. It’s a long way. It’s a long game.’ So he wasn’t upset,” Rowe said. ”He was being a great teammate.”

—


The Texas Rangers welcomed back shortstop Elvis Andrus to their lineup, while the Kansas City Royals said goodbye to closer Kelvin Herrera.

Manager Jeff Banister faces a juggling act with getting all his infielders sufficient playing time with Andrus off the disabled list as the Rangers continue a three-game series with the Royals Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Royals manager Ned Yost faces a problem of who will close games with Herrera dealt to the Washington Nationals for three minor league prospects third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez, outfielder Blake Perkins and 17-year-old Dominican right-hander Yohanse Morel.

Andrus was activated Monday after missing 59 games with a fractured right elbow after being hit by a pitch on April 11.

Banister said Andrus will start all three games against the Royals. He went 0-for-3, walked twice and scored a run in his first game back as Texas opened the series with a 6-3 victory

Jurickson Profar, who started 56 games at shortstop while Andrus was on the disabled list, started at second in the series opener, will play third base Tuesday and DH Wednesday.

Banister met with Andrus. Profar, Rougned Odor and Adrian Beltre Monday with a goal to play all four in about five games a week.

“It’s going to be really hard Elgton Jenkins Jersey ,” Banister said of rearranging the playing time to keep all four sharp and healthy. “Profar has made a case to be one of the everyday players. And everything we’ve challenged (Odor) to do, he’s progressively gotten better. He’s been a significant player on this team and will continue to be one.”

Beltre, who belted a three-run homer Monday, will probably be the designated hitter more than he has in the past.

Andrus had never been on the disabled list before this season.

“A guy that has played 10 consecutive years you don’t replace,” Banister said. “You miss everything he does and what he was able to do. He was our three-hole hitter and one of the better centerpieces of the offense. He did a lot of things for us offensively. Obviously, he was one of the leaders with Beltre on defense.”

Herrera was 14 for 16 in save situations this season. Herrera, Greg Holland and Wade Davis were part of Royals’ feared bullpens that helped them win the 2015 World Series and the 2014 American League championship. Herrera can be a free agent after the season and the Nationals needed bullpen help.

“Without him, there is no way we can ever make it to the World Series, win a World Series,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “He’s simply family. He knows he has relationships here that are special.”

The Rangers won their third straight and will seek a season high fourth straight win as Cole Hamels starts against Jason Hammel.

Hamels is 3-6 with a 3.69 ERA in 14 starts this season. The Rangers are 4-10 in his starts this season. He is 3-2 with a 3.51 ERA in six career starts against Kansas City.

Hammel is 0-4 with a 4.26 ERA in six home starts this season and winless in his past eight home starts.

Hammel is 2-3 with a 4.07 ERA in nine career outings against the Rangers. He tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings on May 27 to win at Texas. The losing pitcher was Hamels.