Butler full-time wideout?

Count me as stunned when I read the Register story about Butler being a full-time wideout on Saturday.

Count me as skeptical that we will be seeing Butler significantly less on defense. I don't care what Butler or Edsall says. He will be on defense.

But, considering the ability of West Virginia on offense, they got to be nuts to take Darius Butler off the field. Butler is fantastic tackling the run and is a playmaker at corner.

Here is the Butler quote according to the Register:

“I always want to be out there [on defense], but this week we need to score a lot of points,” said Butler, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior co-captain. “Whatever Coach tells me to do, I do. I just want to go out there and help the team the best way I can, and if this week that’s by playing mostly on offense, then that’s what it will be.”

Here is a link.

What's going on here? The scoop would seem to be that Butler is going to have an increased role on Saturday.

I am not sure I see anywhere where Butler is going to have a major relaxation of duties defensively. That part makes little sense to me.

West Virginia doesn't pass the ball well, and McClain is excellent as a physical defender, but why would you take Butler off the field for any length of time? It's about athleticism.

They only have 3 corner backs. Terry Baltimore is more a special teams guru. I wouldn't doubt Butler is going to see a lot of time on Saturday on offense. But, I would be stunned if he actually wasn't out there for a majority of plays defensively.

Could they sneak him out for a rest on defense now and then?

Yes.

Randy Edsall benched Robert Vaughn last year at WVU and moved Tyvon Branch to safety to get more speed on the field. Why, a year later, would you take your best athlete off your defense.

To take away one of the top and most athletic corners in the country and play him on offense, is cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Butler can do both.

I would have to see this to believe it.