The Return of Leigh Bodden

[PatsBoy12]

I know it has only been a few days of practices and one can hardly glean anything truly groundbreaking (positive or negative) about anything at this point. However, anything positive that one hears/reads about is still cause for optimism, and it puts a smile on my face. I can't help but feel very good about some of the things that are being said about individual players.

Specifically, I read two very interesting little tidbits about Leigh Bodden that make me feel that, barring anything catastrophic, the Patriots should have one of the best CB tandems in the league.

Two guys who have stood out over two days are CB Leigh Bodden and WR Taylor Price. Bodden has covered extremely well, out-fighting Rob Gronkowski for one pick and looking very solid.

Cornerback Leigh Bodden looks like he's bounced back strong after missing the 2010 season with a torn rotator cuff. Playing opposite Devin McCourty, he's consistently been around the ball the last few days and had an interception today in which he had good coverage on tight end Rob Gronkowski. When Gronkowski tried to catch the ball over him, Bodden had textbook position and made the catch. When the two hit the ground, they wrestled for the ball and Bodden came away from it after some help from safety Patrick Chung, who made like Ed Hochuli to pull Gronkowski away from him. That drew a big cheer from the crowd.

He seems to be rebounding very well and the reports earlier in the offseason seem to have been very accurate in regards to how well his rehab went. Bodden/McCourty is what we were all excited about before losing Bodden to injury. Our secondary looks like it could be really good this year as a whole. I'm very excited thus far.

 

[ausbacker]

I've been on it for a while, Bodden with McCourty, assuming Bodden can return to his best and McCourty's improvement trajectory continues on the upward trend is exciting. Very exciting.

 

[patriot lifer]

I know it has only been a few days of practices and one can hardly glean anything truly groundbreaking (positive or negative) about anything at this point. However, anything positive that one hears/reads about is still cause for optimism, and it puts a smile on my face. I can't help but feel very good about some of the things that are being said about individual players.

Specifically, I read two very interesting little tidbits about Leigh Bodden that make me feel that, barring anything catastrophic, the Patriots should have one of the best CB tandems in the league.





He seems to be rebounding very well and the reports earlier in the offseason seem to have been very accurate in regards to how well his rehab went. Bodden/McCourty is what we were all excited about before losing Bodden to injury. Our secondary looks like it could be really good this year as a whole. I'm very excited thus far.

I remember that play where Bodden got the pick over Gronkowski. I think it was Brady who threw the pass. It was probably a bad idea to throw it in the first place. Gronk had poor position to make the catch and Bodden was a little farther down the field. After catching it, Gronk proceeded to jump on Bodden to try to pry the ball from him. Then Chung swooped in to the rescue to subdue big 'ole Gronk.

 

[ay-yo]

Hopefully this combo gives Bill the faith to send more pass rushers and leave these guys on an island. If we don't have an elite pass rusher we'll send more than you can block. While this isn't a great idea to do every play it can be very effective when called at the right time. Combine that with the improved interior pass rush and things could be a lot better on third downs next year.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

This makes me very excited. Our CB set is scary good, if AH impacts our pass rush the way I think he will could be our best defense in a while.

 

[PatsBoy12]

This makes me very excited. Our CB set is scary good, if AH impacts our pass rush the way I think he will could be our best defense in a while.

Although I have not allowed myself to think such things, I must say that the excitement in me is building exponentially at this point. We've had some very very very good defenses around these parts in past years. I know I don't need to lecture you or anyone about that. This year's iteration has a ways to go, but it really is starting to look good, even if it was only the 7th practice.

I really think that if Bodden returns to self and McCourty continues trending upward, this could be a scary secondary to play against. Like you said, a good interior pass rush will help this defense tremendously. I can't wait for the first preseason game to see some of the boys in action.

 

[s3antana5757]

Bodden really got a bad rap because of one year in Detroit where they for whatever reason, thought he could play zone 95% of the time. He should be back and better than ever this year. He's a really solid player.

 

[warx]

I'm pumped to see Bodden and McCourty line up for us this season, hopefully we get a good look at (and see good things from) Ras-I as well.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I'm pumped to see Bodden and McCourty line up for us this season, hopefully we get a good look at (and see good things from) Ras-I as well.

I must admit that I don't know anything about the rookie. I had never even heard of him prior to the draft.

 

[ZoisKing]

Ras I was touted as possibly the best CB in the class before he got injured. That was early predictions, but it spoke volumes about his ability to cover. I'm sure there is some decent stuff on youtube that doesn't just highlight his picks.

 

[tasmlab]

"Bodden/McCourty is what we were all excited about before losing Bodden to injury."

Were we excited about McCourty at this point last year? I remember most people thinking that we had drafted a kick returner and special teamer way to high and his later becoming star starter and potential DOR was a big surprise.

All the same, I'm excited for them both this year too. Not sure if the excitement from others about Dowling is warranted given that Wheatley and Butler were picked just as high.

 

[satz]

We need him , last year the Jets WR punked the roookies at times and even most times picked on our CB due to there are lack of experience.

We have not only have devin but also arrington. People forget that he covered holmes against the jets who i think was more dangerous than edwards. He did a decent job he never got burnt like say butler.

I am excited to have 2 young CB who have real experience and held up good on there first year of play. throw bodden in there you have 3 solid guys on the outside who can be rotated or in certain matchups.

dowling will be the 3rd safety in out 3 safety package where we play the big nickel.

 

[The Brandon Five]

We have not only have devin but also arrington. People forget that he covered holmes against the jets who i think was more dangerous than edwards. He did a decent job he never got burnt like say butler.

He didn't embarass himself, but there was this:

 

[Patjew]

He didn't embarass himself, but there was this:

That's a beautiful picture of a terrible event.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

From the early reports, Bodden looks like his usual self, which is good since he can expect some more passes thrown his way if teams start to throw away from McCourty.

 

[Keyser Söze]

I want Ras I signed already!!

 

[Professor Frink]

I went to training camp yesterday and one of the interesting things I noticed was that when they went into nickel packages they would move Bodden inside and Butler played the outside. It surprised me, I would have thought Butler would play the "star" position. It's too early to read into anything, especially because Ras-I and Arrington haven't seen the field yet, but something to keep in mind.

 

[satz]

He didn't embarass himself, but there was this:

Yeah but do you think he was bad like say butler or did devin give any passing td`s ? i am sure he did.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Yeah but do you think he was bad like say butler or did devin give any passing td`s ? i am sure he did.

Edward's TD was squarely on McCourty and Meriweather. Mostly for failure to--whats the word? -- tackle?

 

[Keyser Söze]

Edward's TD was squarely on McCourty and Meriweather. Mostly for failure to--whats the word? -- tackle?

Meriweather cant tackle, he just launches himself at the ball carrier. That's a big pet peeve of mine, watching NFL players who don't know how to form tackle. That's Pop Warner stuff right there, this diving at a runners legs with your shoulder is crap.