Vince Wilfork just signed a contract worth $8M per year. That was a huge contract for a huge contributor, a very limited market commodity, and a proven pro-bowl caliber player. This deal took years of negotiations. Additionally, Wilfork is now the highest paid nose tackle in the NFL.
Anyone who is mumbling anything about $8M per year for Bodden is absolutely insane, and any team that comes close to paying him that should be ostracized from the league. What exactly has Bodden done to make everyone believe he is an elite player? I would rate Bodden "good" to "very good" and nowhere near the player that people seem to think he is. I like the guy and I think he's a dependable player, but I see Butler eclipsing in 2011, if not 2010. Bodden is between a #1 and #2 corner. Patriots fans are just used to washed up scrubs playing corner and getting burned all game. Now a guy comes in who doesn't make us all throw up, and we want to pay him like he's Vince Wilfork. I am by no means an expert, but message boards are for fans that find it fun to play GM. In that case, I'll have my fun. So, I'd rate his value at around $4M.