NFL Notes: Malcolm Butler, Rookie Tryouts, Bengals, Eagles

Malcolm Butler

According to Mike Giardi of CSNNE, Patriots CB Malcolm Butler “badly wanted” to be traded and play for the Saints.

“He wanted to be traded,” Giardi said Thursday. “He knew what the money was in New Orleans. So when we talk about him, ‘Oh he’s happy. It’s nice that he’s joined his teammates again.’ He had no other choice.

“He wanted New Orleans. He wanted them badly. They couldn’t work out a deal. So what’s he supposed to do now? Sit at home? No, you suck it up. You have to turn yourself back into a Patriot at least for a year, and hope. Who knows, maybe you do your work and maybe they say, ‘Hey, Malcolm, you know what, we can’t give you Gilmore money. But maybe we can find something. Maybe we’ve got $10 or $11 million.”

Rookie Tryouts

• Former Baylor QB Seth Russell is trying out for the Raiders during their rookie minicamp this weekend. (Michael Gehlken)
• Air Force OLB Ryan Watson participating in the Cardinals’ rookie minicamp on a tryouts basis. (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Navy CB Brandon Clements will try out for the Packers and received an invite to their rookie camp. (Nicki Jhabvala)

Bengals

Bengals owner Mike Brown wrote a letter to their fanbase explaining their decision to draft RB Joe Mixon in the second round.

“The Bengals take pride in our hometown and want to provide winning football on the field and successful players off the field,” Brown wrote, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. “That is the reason we drafted Joe – he is a rare football talent, and his conduct over the past three years leads us to believe he can help us win football games and also become a productive member of this community.

“In making our decision, we took a risk. In this case, the risk has an upside as well as a downside. We believe Joe has put this behind him and that he can turn into the player and community member that creates a plus for Cincinnati. We are going to do everything in our power to make this happen. Our hope is that time will prove that this opportunity is deserved, and perhaps – if given a chance – Joe can write a chapter in Cincinnati sports history that both he and Cincinnati can be proud of.”

Eagles

• Steelers third-round RB James Conner said that he anticipated the Eagles having interest in him as a mid-round pick during this year’s draft. (Jeremy Fowler)
• According to Fowler, the Eagles were shopping around for running back help, which included the possibility of taking Dalvin Cook in round two.