WHITE SULPUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Through the first 14 practices of New England Patriots training camp, cornerback Malcolm Butler has been up to most every challenge. In Wednesday morning's joint practice with the New Orleans Saints, that changed.

Butler had his toughest day since training camp began July 30, with one sequence in 11-on-11 drills highlighting his struggles as he was beaten on one deep pass up the right sideline, penalized on another play by officials, and then was closest in coverage on a crossing route that was caught for a touchdown.

Wide receiver Joseph Morgan stretches to the end zone as Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler tries to make the stop during a joint practice on Wednesday. Steve Helber/AP

As he has throughout camp, Butler lined up at left cornerback and quarterback Drew Brees went right after him.

Still, Brees was complimentary of Butler after the practice.

"Obviously it's just one day's worth and basically what I saw on film last week when they played Green Bay, which was limited time [15 snaps]. But he's extremely talented and he plays with a lot of confidence," Brees said, when asked about Butler.

"Obviously he made that big play; there's no bigger play to make in the Super Bowl. So he seems like a guy who plays with a lot of confidence and has a lot of ability. He's one of those guys, that's a tough matchup for us, but I feel like we have guys that it's going to make them better going up against a guy like that."

A few other takeaways from practice: