Bodden or Banta-Cain?....If the Pats only sign one, who do you want?

[RobertWeathers]

Based on the projected salaries, I would probably say TBC. Bodden had a solid season for us, but I don't see him being worth anywhere between 6-8 million per year at the age of 29 in 2010.

TBC was a great pickup by BB and I would hope he is back. Burgess is a FA, Crable is an unknown, Adalius isn't expected back, and Woods is not starting material. It's very difficult to bring in a rookie or two and thrust them in to a starting role at OLB. Even if we went after a Peppers/Merriman type of FA (which I doubt), I would still want TBC back with Crable and hopefully a draft pick or two.

I personally feel Bodden was a little overrated this year. He had a solid season, but he wasn't great. I think people have overrated him a bit due to the Delthea O'Neal experiment in 08 and the Wilhite bashing. Wilhite is underrated IMO and I think he will take a big step forward next year. Butler, Wilhite, Springs, Wheatley, and a FA/Late Draftee/Trade is okay by me. That's why I like the speculation of a Maroney for Cromartie deal. He would fill Bodden's spot at a cheap price.

Well thought-out argument, BBF79. You bring up good points w/ money, etc.

I guess if someone told me that the Pats woudl sign TBC for say 3yr, $11m and TBC would put up 30 sacks for the next 3 yrs, and Bodden would be lesser in prodcution than last year's campaign, but respectable I would pick TBC.

However, with the lone exception being Butler, I have very little confidence in the CB dept. moving forward which is why I chose Bodden.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Can anyone imagine a scenario where the Pats have to make this choice?

They have many decisions to make this offseason....its not like everyone is wrapped up in contracts...someone could very well be left out with so much money to be handed out and if one is left out I am betting its one of these two...if it is,my bet is Cain - the Pats let him go before,could do it again.

 

[emoney_33]

Based on the projected salaries, I would probably say TBC. Bodden had a solid season for us, but I don't see him being worth anywhere between 6-8 million per year at the age of 29 in 2010.

TBC was a great pickup by BB and I would hope he is back. Burgess is a FA, Crable is an unknown, Adalius isn't expected back, and Woods is not starting material. It's very difficult to bring in a rookie or two and thrust them in to a starting role at OLB. Even if we went after a Peppers/Merriman type of FA (which I doubt), I would still want TBC back with Crable and hopefully a draft pick or two.

I personally feel Bodden was a little overrated this year. He had a solid season, but he wasn't great. I think people have overrated him a bit due to the Delthea O'Neal experiment in 08 and the Wilhite bashing. Wilhite is underrated IMO and I think he will take a big step forward next year. Butler, Wilhite, Springs, Wheatley, and a FA/Late Draftee/Trade is okay by me. That's why I like the speculation of a Maroney for Cromartie deal. He would fill Bodden's spot at a cheap price.

Interesting analysis on the CBs. Wilhite had a pretty mediocre to bad year, although he has a lot of potential. He did a good job keeping with his man but struggled mightily making any sort of play on the ball. (Actually kind of reminds me of how Samuel was early in his career). Bodden on the other hand did a really good job both staying with receivers and making plays on the ball. He was actually tied for 8th in the NFL with 18 PD. (And then if you believe PFF he had a very good 50% caught rate with only 122 YAC)

Wheatley is the biggest enigma. He showed a lot of potential his rookie year, then he got injured and has rarely seen the field since.

In the end I think TBC is probably more important to the team AS-IS because there is a severe lack of depth at OLB, and OLB is a more important position to this defense. However, these 2 aren't mutually exclusive so I'd like to see them both back (at the right price of course).

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

Well thought-out argument, BBF79. You bring up good points w/ money, etc.

I guess if someone told me that the Pats woudl sign TBC for say 3yr, $11m and TBC would put up 30 sacks for the next 3 yrs, and Bodden would be lesser in prodcution than last year's campaign, but respectable I would pick TBC.

However, with the lone exception being Butler, I have very little confidence in the CB dept. moving forward which is why I chose Bodden.

Interesting analysis on the CBs. Wilhite had a pretty mediocre to bad year, although he has a lot of potential. He did a good job keeping with his man but struggled mightily making any sort of play on the ball. (Actually kind of reminds me of how Samuel was early in his career). Bodden on the other hand did a really good job both staying with receivers and making plays on the ball. He was actually tied for 8th in the NFL with 18 PD. (And then if you believe PFF he had a very good 50% caught rate with only 122 YAC)

Wheatley is the biggest enigma. He showed a lot of potential his rookie year, then he got injured and has rarely seen the field since.

In the end I think TBC is probably more important to the team AS-IS because there is a severe lack of depth at OLB, and OLB is a more important position to this defense. However, these 2 aren't mutually exclusive so I'd like to see them both back (at the right price of course).

You both bring up very good points. RW, I can see why you might be hesitant to let Bodden go with the lack of playing time Wheatley saw and the tough times Wilhite endured. E-money it's nice to finally agree with you on something :rocker:

Wilhite had a tough go last year, but as you said E-money, he did a very good job staying with his man, which I found very encouraging. I think his ball skills are something that can and will be worked on if he puts in the time this offseason. That's why despite his troubles this year, I can see him making the jump to starting as the #2 CB. As I've said in a few other threads, I live in NY so I've watched Revis become what he is, and he had similar problems to Wilhite in his first 1-2 years. He was great at staying with his man but was often caught with his back to the ball. He's obviously worked out those kinks and become the best CB in the league. I'm not saying Wilhite is going to be the next Revis, but even the Great Revis had the same problems as a young corner. If Wilhite can work out those kinks, I think he will be a very good #2 CB for us.

Wheatley is a mystery. He flashed some of what he could do in 08, but we haven't seen much of him since. I would like to think he could be serviceable as a nickelback next year.

I think a lot of us here feel Butler has the potential to be a #1 CB. I was impressed with him a lot this season and hope he will build on 2009 and improve in 2010.

I would like to see both guys kept, but personally, I don't see it. I think TBC has a better chance of remaining with the team. I just don't think the Pats are going to want to pay Bodden the type of cash he is looking for at the age of 29. We have 3 young CB's who have all shown some good promise at times, along with a veteran in Springs. I think BB may be satisfied with that and maybe adding a JAG free agent, but I'm not sure. I also wonder if Arrington can bring anything to the table.

If it came down to one guy though, I would take TBC b/c there is less depth and potential there than there is at CB.

 

[Buchanty]

Of course it would depend on what the financial package would be as it doesnt make sense to overpay, but that is not what the question asked so

Bodden

 

[mgteich]

Are we really asking whether our starting cornerback is more importatant than a sitautional linebacker?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Are we really asking whether our starting cornerback is more importatant than a sitautional linebacker?

That 'situational' linebacker happened to be involved in 10 situational sacks which happened to be 5 situational sacks better than any other member of the defense - don't take Banta Cain's presence and meaning to last years team lightly.

That being said I would rather Bodden be here if there is a choice but you really need to respect Tully more.

 

[spacecrime]

They have many decisions to make this offseason....its not like everyone is wrapped up in contracts...someone could very well be left out with so much money to be handed out and if one is left out I am betting its one of these two...if it is,my bet is Cain - the Pats let him go before,could do it again.

I just do not see them saying we can keep TBC or Bodden,

I can see them making separate decisions on each, but whether or not they sign TBC will have ZERO effect on whether or not they sign Bodden, and vice versa.

The whole concept is silly.

You can argue which has more value to the team, as people are doing, but there is not and will not be a situation where the Pats sit down and decide on Bodden vs TBC: if we keep one we cannot keep the other.

 

[Keegs]

I'm going to vote for "too tough to call this one".

Bodden is a much better cornerback.

But Banta-Cain is a much better Defense End.

so its a wash.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm going to vote for "too tough to call this one".

Bodden is a much better cornerback.

But Banta-Cain is a much better Defense End.

so its a wash.

You've been haunting the Denver forums haven't you?

 

[reflexblue]

Bodden...........