Bodden, Patriots a match made in football heaven

[jmt57]

Bodden, Patriots a match made in football heaven by Jeff Howe of NESN

Bodden, who was undrafted out of Duquesne in 2003, spent his first five seasons in Cleveland, and he really started to thrive once RomeoCrennel took over as head coach in 2005. Bodden earned a starting job midway through that season and flourished under Crennel’s zone defense, a similar system Bill Belichick employs in New England.

Bodden actually reached out to Crennel’s nephew to ask him how he’d fit in Foxborough, so the Patriots can credit an assist on the signing to their former defensive coordinator. Once Bodden visited New England and met with Belichick, he canceled the rest of his meetings around the league and immediately signed a contract.

“I only visited here. I planned other visits, but I didn’t really feel like it was worth it,” Bodden said. “You’ve got to love [Belichick]. When I first met with him, when I first came here on a visit, we just sat down and talked, and he’s just a down-to-earth guy. We talked football, background. He wants to win, and that’s what I want to do. That’s all that we’re here for.”

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[Hok]

I think Bodden's going to have a big year.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'm pretty darn excited about the DBs. Two vets at CB, 3 young kids with big potential and a still improving group at Safety. Other than massive injuries, the only real concerns on D are the Bruschi/Guyton/Paris ILB spot and the Woods/Crable/Redd OLB spot. Other than that we should be seriously good to go.

 

[farn]

The DBs... while seemingly improved... is the area I'm most interested to see (assuming TFB is his old self).

If Bodden is all that - we can maybe hope to regain some of the defensive presence we once enjoyed.

 

[N.Eman]

Ah yes !!! Not to mention Wilhite and Wheatley behind 'em!! Can't belive preseason is about a month away. TC days away! This year is gonnna rule

 

[matt9071]

Don't forget about Tank williams. Hopefully he can still play that linebacker/safety hybrid role.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Let me just say that after reading this article, particularly the part about him meeting with Belichick and subsequently cancelling all of his other scheduled visits, has just completely re-energized my optimism for Bodden and the Patriots defensive overhaul. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE REGULAR SEASON!!!!

 

[tombonneau]

Kind of bummed they only signed him to a 1-yr deal, as his stay here will either be bitter (he sucks it up) or bitter-sweet (has an awesome year, then walks for $$$).

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Kind of bummed they only signed him to a 1-yr deal, as his stay here will either be bitter (he sucks it up) or bitter-sweet (has an awesome year, then walks for $$$).

With all due respect to Bodden, can't there be a middle ground? I'd like to see him not suck, and not walk for big $$$.

 

[State]

The DBs... while seemingly improved... is the area I'm most interested to see (assuming TFB is his old self).

I agree, though I'd add TEs and O-line.

I think TE is going to be great for us this year. We're apparently going to have a platoon system like at running back.

Though I look for two free agent veterans to step up big for us: Fred Taylor and Chris Baker.

 

[mgcolby]

With all due respect to Bodden, can't there be a middle ground? I'd like to see him not suck, and not walk for big $$$.

To me it seems he has done this once and it didn't work out all that well for him. Maybe he'll settle for a little less to stay and win in a system that he flourishes in (assuming he has a good year).

 

[farn]

I'd prefer he go all out and be a Pro Bowler and we let him walk than be so-so and signable.

If NE gets super production, then lose him... that's OK. The younger players shoud be ready by fall of 2010.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I'd prefer he go all out and be a Pro Bowler and we let him walk than be so-so and signable.

If NE gets super production, then lose him... that's OK. The younger players shoud be ready by fall of 2010.

Yeah, I hope he plays at pro bowl level. We'll get the production out of him this year, a better comp pick, and another year to develop our young guys.

 

[patsfan13]

THe way he reacted to BB reminds me of the story of R Harrison's signing, hopefully this works out as well.

 

[WhiZa]

I'd prefer he go all out and be a Pro Bowler and we let him walk than be so-so and signable.

If NE gets super production, then lose him... that's OK. The younger players shoud be ready by fall of 2010.

Agreed there's no loss really. We've been through it before. If he doesn't want to take less money to play for a contender then he didn't have the right mentality in the first place

 

[SeymourTrophies]

The way he talked when we first signed him, he acted like coming to Foxboro was his dream come true. He won't be Asomugha, so I can't imagine that he would be too much money to re-sign. He's starstruck with us.

 

[JFK]

if he has a pro-bowl year, can't we franchise and trade him. Even if it's for a 2nd or even if we end up not being able to trade him. Good CB's are expensive. If we can trade him, we can address our ILB and OLB situation next year. UNTIL THEN.....GO PATS!!

 

[jmt57]

if he has a pro-bowl year, can't we franchise and trade him. Even if it's for a 2nd or even if we end up not being able to trade him. Good CB's are expensive. If we can trade him, we can address our ILB and OLB situation next year. UNTIL THEN.....GO PATS!!

If I'm not mistaken part of Bodden's contract was the inclusion of a clause that he could not be franchised by the Pats.