Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler knew what was coming. How else could he have jumped in front of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson's goal-line bid for wide receiver Ricardo Lockette to make an interception that will live on in New England sports lore forever?

He had seen it in practice leading into the Super Bowl, and now, he had a chance to put it all into action to make the play.

The same can't be said for Butler's sudden ascent to the starting lineup at cornerback. Sure, he had an opportunity to practice and play in meaningful situations that prepared him for—and introduced him to—life in the NFL. He might have had an idea that he would one day become a starting cornerback.

Patriots starting cornerbacks, 2014 Player Games started Status Darrelle Revis 16 Free agent Brandon Browner 9 Release Logan Ryan 6 Still with Patriots Kyle Arrington 4 Release Alfonzo Dennard 4 Release Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

But until you've had that bull's-eye on your back week after week, series after series and play after play, there's just nothing like being a professional cornerback.

A series of departures in the Patriots secondary put the spotlight even brighter on Butler, if that's possible after making such an impactful play. Five cornerbacks started more than one game for the Patriots in 2014; four of them are gone.

This isn't lost on Butler, who admits that things are much different now than they were this time last year:

Last year around this time I had a little confidence that I would make the team, but at the same time still humbled myself, go out there like I'm not going to make it because I've seen good guys still not make it. Around this time, I'm more relaxed. I'm comfortable. I have a job, but I'm still working like I've got to keep this job. That's it.

That work has shown up on the field, where Butler has yielded just one completion for 10 yards on seven passes thrown his way, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald:

Butler's performance this summer, and his status as one of the top cornerbacks on the roster, has earned him "veteran treatment" this preseason; he started each of the three games, but played just one series in the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, a little more against the New Orleans Saints and finally played almost all of the first half against the Carolina Panthers.

A new year and a new set of circumstances demands a new approach from Butler, and according to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Butler is not the same player he was last year:

No, much improved, much improved on everything. He worked hard in the offseason. It's obviously just his second year, the change of lifestyle, becoming a professional athlete, working at this job every day, becoming more mature, more dependable, having a better understanding of what we do, having a better understanding of what our opponents do or the passing game in the National Football League.

One thing that hasn't changed is Butler's confidence. Even as an undrafted free agent, Butler never doubted himself that he could make the Patriots roster.

Of course, intercepting the game-winning pass in the Super Bowl will be a tough act to follow. That may very well be his career highlight whether he plays one more year, five more years, 10 more years or until he's 50.

That play was the first time the nation was introduced to Butler on a big stage, but it wasn't the first time Butler's Patriots teammates were introduced to his playmaking ability and work ethic. Devin McCourty said of Butler, via Doug Kyed of NESN.com:

He's a hard worker, and I think that started, not just from when everyone noticed him in the Super Bowl, but since he came in here in OTAs and everything. He just put his head down, working, and the greatest this is that hasn't changed, you continue to see him do it. I think he makes leaps and bounds in everything. You guys just see his physical play, being out there, but even understanding the game and the defense, you see him improve in that every day.

That being said, this isn't the end of Butler's journey. It is just the beginning. Butler excelled in a part-time role last year, even before making the game-saving interception in the Super Bowl. On the season, Butler allowed just 17 receptions on 33 throws into his coverage (51.5 percent) for 306 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and six pass break-ups.

Who knows what will happen this year, when Butler is on the field five times as much as he was as a rookie. The important thing is that Butler has given coaches the confidence to find out if the best is yet to come.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand or via team news release. All advanced stats obtained via Pro Football Focus.