Donald Butler feels that the second round pick has much to prove before becoming a starter.
Despite the intentions of the San Diego coaching staff of putting second round draft pick Manti Te’o straight in at middle linebacker next season, his potential partner in the middle of the defence believes the rookie must prove himself as being capable to start before calling himself one.
Donald Butler spoke to journalists over the weekend, and insisted that while Te’o has the potential, he needs to prove himself before making the step into the start Charger defence.
“I think a lot of people are jumping to conclusions,” Butler told UTSanDiego.com.
“He has to come in and prove himself as a starter. Obviously, it would be nice — that’s why you draft someone in the second round.
” We don’t know how he’s going to be in the NFL. I hope he comes in and he’s a superstar. Hopefully we can create something that will carry us for the next four, five, six years.”
Manti Te’o comes to the team with a lot of promise, as many people had him down as a first round talent, but likely slipped due to his poor performance in the college national championship game against Alabama in January.
He is a natural leader and an opportunistic linebacker, who had seven interceptions in his senior year, and was an eventual runner up in the Heisman trophy voting
With solid coaching and enough dedication from the player himself, Te’o could turn into a great pick for the rebuilding Charger franchise, and could be a leader of that defensive unit for years to come.
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