One of the things I actually do give BB credit for

I think it's pretty obvious. Butler got caught up in SB week and broke a rule. And, to Belichick's credit, he benched a guy that deserved to be benched. Which I admire about BB. While I hate the mystique about the Patriot Way, you don't screw with BB. Most coaches would have caved and just let the guy get away with it because the "win" was more important than the rules.