Leigh Bodden

[jmt57]

Driven into a corner a bit, Patriots are hoping Bodden is the one by Christopher Gasper of The Boston Globe

It might be hard to envision that a cornerback released by the woeful Lions could emerge as the successor to Samuel, but Bodden's body of work, his experience playing for former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel in Cleveland for three seasons, and his early play in OTAs belies what happened in Detroit last season.

Proving himself is nothing new for Bodden. Coming out of high school in Hyattsville, Md., he had to shop himself to colleges and ended up at Duquesne, a Division 1-AA (now the Football Championship Subdivision) school. Even after finishing his career with 28 interceptions, Bodden was so lightly regarded coming out of college that not only did he go undrafted, he wasn't even invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.

He hooked on with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2003. In 2004, he tied for the team lead in special teams tackles with 18, despite only playing in eight games because of a torn pectoral muscle. The next year he became a starter at right corner and tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.

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[Kontradiction]

Good read. I'm hoping Bodden is the real deal as well.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Looks like you and I tied on time of posting this article - Time to merge the two Mods ..Thanks

 

[WhiZa]

I don't think he'll have an asante samuel type year especially when learning a new defense, but he should be a upgrade over hobbs and/or o'neal. I still think the D will succeed or fail based on if they can get to the QB more then last year.

 

[Mack Herron]

I don't think he'll have an asante samuel type year especially when learning a new defense, but he should be a upgrade over hobbs and/or o'neal. I still think the D will succeed or fail based on if they can get to the QB more then last year.

Which year do you mean? I look for Bodden to better Asante's first couple of years. If teh receivers are not running so free through the secondary at first read, they will get to the QB more often. Only one way to go from last year.

 

[ALP]

i also hope bodden is hte real thing, and i think hell be close to Samuel's level when samuel left this yr

i just hope that after that we can resign him, cuz i think he could become much better than samuel

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

I loved the move from the start.

He was a shutdown CB in Cleveland.

Just b/c he played for the Lions, doesn't mean he stinks.

Ditto for Paris Lenon, who could surprise.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I'm very excited about this kid.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I don't think he'll have an asante samuel type year especially when learning a new defense, but he should be a upgrade over hobbs and/or o'neal. I still think the D will succeed or fail based on if they can get to the QB more then last year.

Bodden and Samuel are two completely different corners. Samuel is more of a ball hawk where Bodden is more of a cover man. Samuel liked to give wide receivers cushions and try to bait QB's to throw to his side. Although Samuel did capitalize on QB's mistakes by taking it to the house, he gave up many plays as well. I think the days of Hobbs, Samuel, Gay, O'Neil giving up 5-10 yard cushions are over. The Pats needed to change their identity in the secondary and they may have done so successfully. The Pats have a nice blend of physical and finesse (or ball hawk) type corners. In fact, from 2005-2008, the secondary has been very soft. Bodden and Springs are big, physical, man to man corners where Butler, Wheatley and Whilite are the faster (go for the big play type corners). If the Pats can improve the pass rush and Bodden plays like he did in Cleveland, this secondary will snag plenty of interceptions.

 

[Gumby]

I think the days of Hobbs, Samuel, Gay, O'Neil giving up 5-10 yard cushions are over. The Pats needed to change their identity in the secondary and they may have done so successfully. The Pats have a nice blend of physical and finesse (or ball hawk) type corners.

Good comments.

I would heartily concur that Bodden fits more into the type of DB I think BB schemes are designed for. (versus Samuel). Even if he doesnt have that level of physical skills. But BB defense (bend dont break etc etc) also is contingent on the DL / LB pressure ending the play or limiting the time the QB has. As we have all seen if you give any QB enough time they will look like TB or Pay-me-aton.

We have all the pieces on the DL (assuming the wilfork talks dont go nuclear); but will we get enough pressure to make Bodden look like a star? That is the million dollar question we wont know til Labor day weekend.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

We have all the pieces on the DL (assuming the wilfork talks dont go nuclear); but will we get enough pressure to make Bodden look like a star? That is the million dollar question we wont know til Labor day weekend.

Having a healthy Warren, and anyone not named Vrabel, should improve the pass rush. I was unaware that Warren had two injuries last season. Besides that, watching Vrabel last year just hurt my eyes. I'm a little concerned that Tedy is the next one to look like he's running in jello

As for Bodden, i'm not ready to annoint him king, just because of one good statistical season in Cleveland. I'll wait till Nov to form an opinion.

 

[NumenorBlader]

You can't count stats on CBs as easily as other positions. A shutdown CB will shutdown his side of the field entirely, and that is what is to be noticed. A CB like Bodden seems to be just that - unnoticed, but covering his guy well enough, and when called to make the play he'll do his best. I can't form an opinion on the CB based solely on his stats.

We'll see in TC/preseason/reg. season. The big plays and 3rd down killed us last year so I hope the defensive backfield as a whole picks up its game.

What I like about Bodden is that he has covered a top WR in Ocho Cinco [and done pretty well even by Ocho's standards]... so it shows he's got some good experience of covering the big WRs. Hopefully he shows solid, consistent form against top WRs this year as well (and maybe give Moss some real practice!)

Blader.

 

[Sivy]

Thatd be nasty if he was as good as they (and we) hope, along with the rest of the D. imagin a great D to go along with the offense. I dont even think it would matter how many "playoff teams from LAST year" are on the schedule.