FOXBORO -- Every so often Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower will joke with Malcolm Butler, reminding the second-year corner from humble beginnings that he's still just one of the guys despite being etched in history as the hero of Super Bowl XLIX.
"It's all fun and games," Butler said with a smile after Tuesday's practice.
That kind of banter between Butler and his teammates is lighthearted because it's unnecessary. As Patriots coach Bill Belichick told WEEI on Monday, Butler's personality really hasn't changed despite the fact that he was one of the biggest names in sports back in February.
Butler has been the team's most impressive corner throughout training camp, and he appears to have a firm grip on a starting role if he can stay healthy before the regular-season opener against the Steelers on Sept. 10. But it's important to him to remain the same nose-to-the-grindstone player he was as an undrafted free agent out of Division 2 West Alabama last year.
"Sometimes when you think you've done enough and you really haven't, when it comes down to it, and you have a bad day, a bad game or something like that, you're like, 'I should've been working hard and not thinking like that,' " Butler said. "You gotta work hard, stay humble, work hard just like I was last year trying to make this team. Ain't nothing changed, really."
Butler was told of Belichick's comments on the radio and was thankful for the recognition from his head coach.
"It's a good compliment, but still gotta keep working, keep trying to get better each and every day," Butler said. "No matter what I've done in the past. No matter what I did yesterday. I'm still trying to get better each and every day. Good day, bad day, I'm trying to get better. It's a good compliment. I appreciate him for that. [But] gotta keep moving forward."
New England Patriots
Now, with a seemingly established job on the team's defense, Butler looks at some of the team's undrafted rookies and understands what they're going through. Players like rookie interior offensive lineman David Andrews and receiver Chris Harper are trying to carve roles for themselves in the opportunities they've been given. For both players, those opportunities have come in droves recently due to injuries experienced by veterans at their positions.
"They should have a little fire -- to their soul, to their heart, to their play -- anyway just because they didn't get picked and they got overlooked anyway," Butler said. "They should already have that in them. I know guys wanted to get drafted to get into the NFL, but getting drafted is not always a good thing. It's a good thing, but it can hurt you too. Some guys think that [because] they got drafted that they're on the team.
"I didn't care if I got drafted or not. I knew when I came in here I was gonna do what I had to do. I wasn't gonna blow the opportunity. To all those guys, work hard. Do everything: special teams, defense, offense, whatever you can do to keep yourself around and make yourself valuable so you can play different options. Just go all out. Try your best and if you don't make it, you can't be mad at yourself because you gave it your all."
Here are a few other highlights from Butler's meeting with reporters on Tuesday before the Patriots took off for their joint practices with the Saints in West Virginia.
On practicing without Tom Brady: "It doesn't change too much from my viewpoint. I'm still gonna work hard whether he's out there or not and I'm pretty sure my other teammates do that also. But Brady is a key part of this team. He's a leader, and there's nothing like having Brady out there. But if he's out there or not, we're still gonna work hard either way."
On taking on Drew Brees and the Saints this week: "They're coming out there and trying to get after us. We're trying to go out there and get after them. It's all about competing, going hard on each and every play. We'll see how it turns out . . . It'll be a good test."
On the differences between Duron Harmon and Devin McCourty playing free safety: "They're both good players, and from my standpoint, when they're both on the field, ain't too much change, really. I think they both know the system inside out."
On avoiding double sessions in the heat, which were common practice in the NFL before the collective bargaining agreement made them history: "I got a taste of it in junior college when they were having two-a-days. I know this is a higher level. I think I got a little bit lucky."
His advice for the Cranston (RI) Western Little League team headed to the Little League World Series: "To you guys, just go out there, give it 100 percent. Just go out there and play fearless. Go hard each and every play. Play as a team. You can't do it by yourself so just go out there, give it your best effort. Good luck."