INDIANAPOLIS — One person you can trust on the subject of cornerbacks and pass coverage is Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
So when Prime Time called out second-year cornerback Devin McCourty, it should send shudders through all Patriots fans.
"You go to the Pro Bowl as a cornerback for one of two reasons, either you have a lot of interceptions or you go because you're a darn good corner," said Sanders. "Figure that one out. Last year what did he have? A lot of interceptions? Now everybody is watching him and they see."
A first-round pick out of Rutgers, McCourty made the Pro Bowl after the 2010 season. After McCourty picked off seven passes as a rookie, he struggled mightily this fall and has most recently split time between corner and safety.
"If I ever had one of those years, you guys would have killed me," said Sanders, now an analyst on the NFL Network.
When asked how he handled the demotion, McCourty was adamant that there wasn't one.
"I'm still playing some corner, doing whatever it is to help the team," said McCourty, who was replaced outside by the ultimate journeyman, Sterling Moore, the AFC championship game hero. "I don't care what you do, what position it is, you just have to go out there and play."
Mallett not talking
We in the the Boston area are sheltered to the world of college sports and recruiting and how crazy things are.
On the eve of national signing day, Patriots' rookie Ryan Mallett, who starred at Arkansas, was forced to fend off questions about the future of Missouri high school senior Dorial Green-Beckham, the national's No. 3 senior, according to ESPNU. His short list includes the Razorbacks.
"I'm not talking recruiting. I'm not talking DGB," repeated Mallett.
It's been a tame first season for Mallett.
"It's not the hardest job, just go into work and do stuff, but I did a little more work than most No. 3s," said Mallett.
"I've learned different things in life and in football. I've watched and I've seen how to win a championship. I just think I have a grasp on it."
Mallett will have to get used to life without offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, who is taking over at Penn State.
"Billy O is the man, I'm excited for him," said Mallett. "I kind of hate it, but I'm excited for him. It's his life. I have to support his decision."
From Target to the Super Bowl
The luckiest man in Indy would have to be Carson Butler.
Just last week, Butler was walking through a Target in Detroit, picking up a few things.
And then phone rang. It was his agent with some great news.
"Oh, man was it the right time," said Butler, who was drafted by the Pats but was cut before the season began.
"I was living a regular life, still working out and getting ready for next season. And then my agent called. Good thing I answered. It was exciting. I really appreciate it. They didn't have to call me to bring me to the biggest game of the year. But they did, and I'm having a great time."
At home in Detroit, the Michigan product spent most of his time with his son, Carson III.
"It's probably the most time we've been together since he was born, and it was great," said Butler. "But this was so last-second, I had him and I had to find somebody to watch him. I was on the next flight out, so it had to be quick."
Luckily, a baby-sitter was located, and Butler is here, most likely as insurance for Rob Gronkowski.
Faulk still content
Kevin Faulk isn't about to let his diminished role dim his fifth trip to a Super Bowl.
"I have to keep coming to work, being a team player," said Faulk, 33. "Even though the team, the game, and the situation have not been in my favor, I have to be that same team player that I have always been. I understand what my role is right now. It's the guy that is giving these kids confidence to perform."
Survival of the fittest
New England's secondary took a couple hits back in September when veterans James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather were let go.
"It's not about survival, it was about playing the guys we had," said safety Patrick Chung. "It definitely sucks, but it is what it is, play with the guys you have.
"You learn that lesson immediately. It's the business end. You never know what can happen."
Deion: Peyton is the best ever
Deion Sanders was asked about Peyton Manning, who he termed, "the best quarterback to ever play the game. He would fit anywhere."
When asked why the New York Jets collapsed, Sanders came to Rex Ryan's defense.
"I'm not going to say they crashed and burned. They went to two straight AFC championship games. Did you really think they'd make it three? They're owed a year. You at least have to give them that. They fell apart, but they have a pretty good core group. They just need to regroup."
And embattled quarterback Mark Sanchez?
"He's going to need maturity and a lot of help," said Sanders.
Evans loved Patriots, hated Seahawks
Heath Evans played for four teams and a handful of coaches in 10 NFL seasons. There is no doubt where his favorite stop was.
Now an NFL Network analyst, Evans raved about the Belichick way.
"Teams get hot in cycles," said Evans, who played for the Pats from 2005-2008. "This team got hot in 2001 and hasn't cooled down yet. Even in a bad year, we were 11-5 and missed the playoff in 2008."
And that was with Matt Cassel under center.
Evans talked about his awakening to the Belichick way in the early part of 2005 when introduced to the coach's "lowlights" film sessions.
"We're in the room. Corey Dillon is over there asleep in the corner, and Kevin Faulk is right in front of me. Most people watch highlights, the Patriots watch lowlights," said Evans. "Bill never praises the good stuff. He'd be, 'Come on, Brady, what were you thinking?' This is Tom Brady, a first ballot Hall of Famer, with three rings, two MVPs. I'm thinking, 'Oh, my God, what did I get myself into?'
"Bill can't fathom how you'd make a mental mistake, because he just doesn't make them. And there's accountability for Brady, for everyone, from one to 53."
Evans went on to contrast that with his first stop, Seattle, where he played on some wildly underachieving teams for Mike Holmgren.
"Holmgren wasn't going to say a snide word to Shaun Alexander or Ricky Watters, John Randle, Steve Hutchinson or Walter Jones," said Evans. "That Seattle locker room wanted to make you retire; a miserable, bunch of selfish guys. There was everything from racism to 'I want the ball,' to 'It's all about me.'
"Just a bad locker room. That team was talented, too."
