Nice article on Bodden - New England Patriots Forums

***slash83*** · 08-04-2009, 11:45 PM

Leigh Bodden relishing Patriots chance - BostonHerald.com

I've read nothing but positive reports on Bodden throughout training camp, hope it continues into the season.

***BelichickFan*** · 08-04-2009, 11:51 PM

With the two vets and the three kids this group of corners has a chance to be really good. Hopefully they'll be more physical than EHIII (don't know if that was him or the coaches). With the Safeties also coming along, a good pass rush should be all that's stopping us from a very good pass defense downfield.

***slash83*** · 08-05-2009, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

With the two vets and the three kids this group of corners has a chance to be really good. Hopefully they'll be more physical than EHIII (don't know if that was him or the coaches). With the Safeties also coming along, a good pass rush should be all that's stopping us from a very good pass defense downfield.

I agree, if the pass rush is good just good this defense could easily be a top 10 D.

AzPatsFan · 08-05-2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slash83

I agree, if the pass rush is good just good this defense could easily be a top 10 D.

It WAS a Top Ten Defense last year.

Wth all the negativity, posters forget that piece of information. In spite of all the rookies playing; and of losing AD, Woods, Vrabel and Wheatly to injury and "Over the Hill itis". It won't take much to expect this D to be much better.

***Patsfanin Philly*** · 08-05-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzPatsFan

It WAS a Top Ten Defense last year.
.

If you use points allowed as a measuring stick.
Depends how you measure it. If you use 3rd down conversions allowed and red zone defense, it wasn't by a long shot.

***Box_O_Rocks*** · 08-05-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patsfanin Philly

If you use points allowed as a measuring stick.
Depends how you measure it. If you use 3rd down conversions allowed and red zone defense, it wasn't by a long shot.

Which is what happens when your on-field experience/athleticism balance is lowered by rookies, second year men, transitioning ST's Specialists, and slowing veterans. There's still some of that, but the overall experience/athleticism balance has improved on paper, judging by the number of two-a-days in progress, BB using a grinding wheel approach to sharpening the sword.

jmt57 · 08-05-2009, 11:20 AM

Patriots Bodden loathes losing; hungry ex-lion eager to man the corner for Patriots this season: by Glen Farley of the Quincy Patriot Ledger

Quote:

As for the 6-foot-1, 193-pound Bodden, well, he has been hands-on in his approach, stepping right in and pressing the issue.

“That’s what I’ve pretty much been my whole career is a physical corner,” said Bodden. “I like to get my hands on receivers because receivers really don’t like to get touched off the line. It just gives me the opportunity to slow them down and play tight coverage.”

“I think he does have a good, physical style,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. “He’s a big kid, he’s tough, he has long arms and he’s good when he can get his hands on receivers because of his playing strength. I’d say he’s a physical corner who jams receivers well.”

jmt57 · 08-05-2009, 11:24 AM

Bodden has wins in mind by Ben Collins of the Boston Globe

Quote:

He had been considering other teams - he hinted that some of the offers were even heftier - but he wanted to go somewhere where he could improve the number in his win column.

“I’ve been in this league seven years and I haven’t won anything,’’ said Bodden. “That was the deciding factor. Here, it was a no-brainer. I’d get to win.’’

A year after being bid on as a top free agent, Bodden is now under the radar in Patriots training camp. And he can feel the difference.

“You can tell - it’s a cultural thing - organization-wide there are a lot of differences,’’ he said. “Everything is up a notch. Everybody here is hungry to win. From the coaches to the owner, everybody wants to win.’’

HEY BRO! WHAT UP? · 08-06-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

Hopefully they'll be more physical than EHIII (don't know if that was him or the coaches)

It was a combination of both. While Samuel layed some occasional hits, he and Hobbs weren't physical CB's. I'm assuming BB had them play off the line because they couldn't jam anybody. Now that Springs and Bodden are in the fold, get ready for more physical play at the CB position. I expect to see more jams at the line which should help the pass rush.

It was great to hear he broke up a deep pass to Galloway. Keep up the good play Leigh!

***patchick*** · 08-06-2009, 01:00 PM

I thought this quote from the Globe piece was illuminating:

Bodden has wins in mind - The Boston Globe

Quote:

Bodden says it’s all part of his goal to make sure he is remembered most for his years as a Patriot.

“It’s one of those things where I want to have my family have things to talk about when I’m done,’’ said Bodden. “Hopefully this year will be the year they’ll want to talk about.

Usually "wanting to win" in portrayed in terms of competitiveness. It's interesting to think of it in terms of your personal life story. Imagine playing for a decade in the NFL and retiring with plenty of money...but ten years of bad memories.

You want to make your family proud. You want to make yourself proud. You want to feel like you've accomplished something. Here's hoping that Mr. Bodden achieves those goals in a big way this year.