Turron DavenportESPN
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- During the build-up, most former New England Patriots players-turned Titans said they weren't viewing this week's showdown as anything more than another part of their schedule. After a convincing 34-10 win over New England, their true emotions came to light.
Former Patriots running back Dion Lewis, for one, didn't pull any punches when asked about his departure from New England, after his 69 total yards of offense helped Tennessee thrash his former team.
"Hell yeah it's personal," the seventh-year veteran said. "When you go cheap, you get your ass kicked."
Despite finishing with 1,110 total yards of offense in 2017, the Patriots allowed Lewis to walk via free agency in the offseason. The Titans took a shot at him, signing Lewis to a four-year contract worth $19.8 million.
Cornerback Malcolm Butler's departure from New England was much more controversial. Butler was benched in Super Bowl LII, his last game as a Patriot but his response was much more cordial than Lewis'.
"We want to beat everybody but this one right here was a little more satisfying," Butler said after the game.
The veteran cornerback admitted the Super Bowl benching was in the back of his mind during the week leading up to the game, but he said it's something he got over a while ago. Earlier in the week Butler said there wasn't any bad blood and he planned to mirror whatever greeting Belichick had for him before the game. They didn't get to exchange pleasantries before the game, but Butler and Belichick crossed paths afterward.
Added Butler, "He said he appreciated me playing for him for four years and I said the same thing back. He told me good luck on the rest of the season and told me to keep fighting like he knows I will."
After being in a slump to start his career in Tennessee, Butler feels better days are ahead after this game.
"I'm trying to turn things around. I just have to stay consistent and be disciplined and be hungry and fast. I think I turned the corner," Butler said. "It's a mindset. I did things different at home and in the film room. I focused more in film study and rested more."
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