Where Does Colts Signing Patrick Robinson Leave Darius Butler?
The Indianapolis Colts finally made free agency headlines earlier this week, when the team announced that they had reached a 3-year, $14M deal with cornerback Patrick Robinson.
The interesting thing about Robinson is that he’s really comfortable in coverage against the slot, a role that Darius Butler has played for the Colts secondary as their nickelback over the past few seasons:
When Patrick Robinson lined up in the slot, opposing QBs had an NFL passer rating of 67.7 when targeting him; 3rd best for slot CBs
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) March 23, 2016
It initially raised some questions from Colts nation wondering what this ultimately meant for Butler’s role going forward–perhaps even whether he’d see a reduced role next season:
Colts CB Patrick Robinson apparently better suited to play slot. Interesting to see if that impacts Darius Butler. Maybe Davis, Smith start.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) March 24, 2016
I'm jumping the gun, but adding Robinson adds intrigue at CB. He's best in slot, where Darius Butler currently plays. Hmmm....
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 23, 2016
The 30 year old Butler is set to enter the last year of his contract with the Colts and has a $2.5M cap hit for 2016. Could he be on the way out?
Right now, it doesn’t look that way–at least not for next season.
Specifically, general manager Ryan Grigson cleared up some of the confusion in a press release immediately following the signing, as Robinson will be starting on the other side of standout cornerback Vontae Davis:
"“He is a versatile, experienced and steady corner that gives us immediate help opposite Vontae [Davis],” said Grigson. “He was a fit on a number of levels in regards to overall skill, but also adds some strong intangibles. We’re happy with this addition to our team.”"
While Robinson was exceptional covering the slot last season, it doesn’t mean that he’s not a quality cornerback on the outside either:
"“He allowed just 8.9 yards per catch, which was the best for cornerbacks thrown at 40 or more times last season,” writes PFF’s Nathan Jahnke. “He would play outside in San Diego’s base defense at times, and then would play in the slot in the Chargers’ nickel.”"
That doesn’t mean that Robinson won’t occasionally kick inside either–perhaps depending on the opposing matchup. However, he’ll likely be playing predominantly on the outside, which means that Butler fans can likely breath a sigh of relief for the time being.
For instance, against a team like the New England Patriots, where wideout Julian Edelman routinely wreaks havoc in the slot–maybe the Colts consider deploying one of their assumed best cornerbacks like Robinson in the slot given the Patriots lack of elite wideouts elsewhere.
Either way, it’s a good problem to have for the Colts that both Robinson and Butler are comfortable covering the slot. It gives Chuck Pagano’s defense additional flexibility in their secondary matchups, as well as an extra insurance policy in case injuries should arise to either slot cornerback.