Bodden deal done - 4 years, $22M ($10M GTD) [merged]

[Marqui]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

Great. We really could'nt afford to lose Bodden.

 

[SunnyDenmark]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

As much as I like the re-signings of the few players I thought we had to re-sign, I still feel that we really haven't done much to improve ourselves. We're re-signing players that were part of a slightly better-than-average team. I guess all hope for improvement may have to point to the draft, unless we make some kind of blockbuster trade before then. None of the remaining free agents are all that great, I think.

Strongly disagree. In our defense of a few years ago with the ‘long in the tooth’ vets (Vrabs, Harrison), one year more would mean one step less in quickness, one year more of injuries on ‘war torn’ bodies, etc. One year more of declining motor reflex skills, recuperative healing functions, etc. Why do you think world class gymnasts are all under 20 years old? But not in football as the body has not had a chance to physically mature yet. But still the decline in reflexes, condidioning, quick twitch, healing etc declines as you get closer to 30’s.

However, in our new youthful defense, that means one more year of experience in a hard to grasp complex defensive scheme, one more year of NFL game day experience (dealing with high pressure situations), one more year of on-field communications, recognition of offensive formations, one more year of tutaledge from the vets / coaches, one more year of building up / bulking up college bodies into NFL bodies, one more year of building on team chemistry / personal friendships.

As long as Pats defense doesn’t suffer high turnover, a young defense (with good coaching) will improve with each year in the early years of NFL experience (especially from years 1-2 and 2-3).

Merriweather, Mayo, Wilfork, & others are in or just approaching their primes. Look for improvements this year from Butler, Chung, Pryor, hopefully even Brace. Anything we can get from McKenzie, Crable, Woods would be a plus. An impact rookie or two from the first 2 rounds will help. Not at all unreasonable with 4 early picks to get 1 or 2 rookies who can contribute this year (think Edelmann / Volmer / Prior last year) This defense is on the way UP. BOOK IT!

P.S. the critical offseason task was retaining our defensive starters (Wilfork, Bodden, TBC) so we could spend draft picks to IMPROVE the D instead of plugging in gaping (starter) holes to just tread water. Mission accomplished. Look for an improvement now in the Pats defense for 2010 for the reasons detailed above. You can count on it or my name isn't Les Schwab.

PSS. Put your Blackberry down ......SLOWLY..........and step away from the ledge. GOOD. Now don't you feel better already!

 

[patsox23]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

I'm happy to have Bodden back but some of this thread seems way, way over the top to me. Bodden's a good, solid player. You guys are acting like he would've been a major loss if he'd gone to the Texans when, in my view, it would've been a minor disappointment. 19 pages on this seems crazy to me.

That said, glad he's back.

 

[Kimimar0]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

I also think it was vital that we lock up our own guys before going after other guys who we cant be sure about. VW, TBC and LB were 3 of our biggest contributors on defense last year. Very happy so far with how the offseasons gone.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

I'm happy to have Bodden back but some of this thread seems way, way over the top to me. Bodden's a good, solid player. You guys are acting like he would've been a major loss if he'd gone to the Texans when, in my view, it would've been a minor disappointment. 19 pages on this seems crazy to me.

That said, glad he's back.

Do you know something I don't?

Bodden tale a twisted one - Extra Points - Boston.com

"Here's hoping this game of he-said, she-said ends soon.
And now, what I've heard ... According to a source with intimate knowledge of the situation, Patriots free-agent CB Leigh Bodden is expected to make a decision on his future in the next 24 hours.
Bodden was in Houston to visit with the Texans today, and his camp has maintained that the Patriots would have a shot at retaining the corner when it gets to decision time, which is now upon us."


By the way, I have to disagree with you. He was clearly by some way the best DB on a team that wasn't over-blessed with them last year.

 

[zoostation]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

I'm happy to have Bodden back but some of this thread seems way, way over the top to me. Bodden's a good, solid player. You guys are acting like he would've been a major loss if he'd gone to the Texans when, in my view, it would've been a minor disappointment. 19 pages on this seems crazy to me.

That said, glad he's back.

So tell me....who are the staring cornerbacks next year if the Patriots lose Bodden?

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

I'm happy to have Bodden back but some of this thread seems way, way over the top to me. Bodden's a good, solid player. You guys are acting like he would've been a major loss if he'd gone to the Texans when, in my view, it would've been a minor disappointment. 19 pages on this seems crazy to me.

That said, glad he's back.

he was solid, so Im sure if did he leave you will feel secure with Johnthan Whilhite as a starting CB. Like the stability of the position... And if he is back that is what it adds..

 

[Don Kipines]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

I'm happy to have Bodden back but some of this thread seems way, way over the top to me. Bodden's a good, solid player. You guys are acting like he would've been a major loss if he'd gone to the Texans when, in my view, it would've been a minor disappointment. 19 pages on this seems crazy to me.

That said, glad he's back.

I think this was a big sign, if indeed it happens. It depends on the years and the money, of course, but Bodden -- well, he's not Darrell Revis, but he's a very good, physical corner on a team that had some tackling issues in the secondary. Losing him would have put the Pats in a big hole. Of course they wouldn't even be in this spot if they had re-signed Samuel, but you need a dependable #1 corner and those guys aren't that easy to find. With Robinson gone there certainly weren't any left in free agency, and so had Bodden left, the Pats would be looking at having to develop rookies as major contributors on the corners.

I think the strategy of re-signing the core on defense is a great strategy. The talent is there, we just need the young guys to improve and get stronger. You keep the productive veterans around, that allows the much younger guys, the Mayos and Butlers and Chungs and Meriweathers, to just focus on their own games without having to step into new leadership roles. Not saying Mayo and Meriweather aren't leaders to some degree already, but their job gets a lot easier when Wilfork and Warren and Banta-Cain, guys who've been on Super Bowl teams, are in the huddle. And Butler, the last thing that kid needs is the pressure of having to be the #1 corner.

In general also I think a malaise had kind of set in with the Patriots, a feeling that the team was too mercenary and would cut guys once they became too expensive. It's not something you can quantify, but the Pats of the last few years just haven't played with the same fire as the previous teams and you have to think that's part of the reason. Bringing back guys like Bodden and Banta-Cain I think is a real boost to the team psyche. These are exactly the kinds of players BB would have let go in the past. I think if they bring these guys back, and keep the team mostly intact, they're going to be in good shape. They had plenty of talent last year -- going into the fourth quarter of the Colts game, we all thought this was a Super Bowl team -- and if they can manage to get some more heat on the quarterback, I like their chances.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

I'm happy to have Bodden back but some of this thread seems way, way over the top to me. Bodden's a good, solid player. You guys are acting like he would've been a major loss if he'd gone to the Texans when, in my view, it would've been a minor disappointment. 19 pages on this seems crazy to me.

That said, glad he's back.

While there may be a small segment here who wildly over rate this player, losing him would have been closer to a major loss than a minor disappointment for lots of reasons. Not the least of which is the lack of stability we've experienced at the position for the last couple of seasons coupled with the dearth of available alternatives exacerbated by an expiring CBA. Having the secondary essentially locked down for the next 3-4 years heading into a draft where we have 4 picks in the top 53 (not to mention looking ahead to one to come with 2 1st rounders) is also huge because in case you haven't noticed we got some holes to fill and areas to upgrade...in the front 7 and on offense.

Getting a starting NT, CB and OLB handled in the first week of FA is empowering...If we can get a veteran 3rd or 4th WR in the fold and a 3rd down RB inked over the next week we will be in excellent shape to improve on the 2010 team via the draft.

 

[patsox23]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

I do not have any inside information at all, and I don't think Bodden is chopped liver. I agree that he was a solid, significant upgrade over the Deltha O'Neils of the world.

However, I do not believe failing to sign him would/will mean we simply DON'T BRING IN ANYONE and, so, all of a sudden Jonathan Wilhite is our other corner starting opposite Butler. That reactive sentiment is in the same family of "over-the-top" as what I referred to in my first post. I just think people get a little sensitive here and blow things out of proportion.

Again, I'm saying that's a really good, solid signing (if/when it happens), not something I feel overly relieved or psyched about. Much more excited about Vince. If the Vince signing is a 10, the Bodden signing, for me, is a 6 at best.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

its good to not have one less thing to worry about early in the draft........while he is by no means any kind of show stopper, he has starter value and he with butler are seemingly taking care of the corners......

BUT WE NEED SOME DAMNED LB'S!!!!!!!

 

[patsox23]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

Now THAT, Tanked, I can get behind!

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

Well one thing is for sure, if we dont get a pass rush, It wont matter who is the CB, that I will agree with.

 

[NickOGS20]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

P.S. the critical offseason task was retaining our defensive starters (Wilfork, Bodden, TBC) so we could spend draft picks to IMPROVE the D instead of plugging in gaping (starter) holes to just tread water. Mission accomplished.

That hits the nail on the head for me (assuming Bodden does sign). Some have said the Bodden and TBC signings (even Vince to an extent) weren't that big a deal, but being able to use the draft to build on last year's unit is a much preferable position to be in that having to use them to fill holes just to get the D back to last season's level.

Being pleased about these moves is about more than purely the level of ability of the players involved - it's about the opportunity and advantage this now gives us heading into the remainder of free agency and, particularly, the draft.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

That hits the nail on the head for me (assuming Bodden does sign). Some have said the Bodden and TBC signings (even Vince to an extent) weren't that big a deal, but being able to use the draft to build on last year's unit is a much preferable position to be in that having to use them to fill holes just to get the D back to last season's level.

Being pleased about these moves is about more than purely the level of ability of the players involved - it's about the opportunity and advantage this now gives us heading into the remainder of free agency and, particularly, the draft.

Thank you!! You can't rebuild an entire defense in one year, it likely takes 2 or 3. Last year we bolstered our secondary, hopefully this year we improve the front 7. Resigning Wilfork, Bodden, TBC now allows us to focus on that. One day at a time.... let's not forget we have 4 day one picks

 

[mcsully]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

Thank you!! You can't rebuild an entire defense in one year, it likely takes 2 or 3. Last year we bolstered our secondary, hopefully this year we improve the front 7. Resigning Wilfork, Bodden, TBC now allows us to focus on that. One day at a time.... let's not forget we have 4 day one picks

Rex Ryan and the Jets say "HELLO"..

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

Rex Ryan and the Jets say "HELLO"..

The Jets had most of those players before Tubby showed up, that wasn't a rebuilding job just a good job of taking advantage of ready made talent with a few additions - I still want to see the Jets defense when they get into a shootout, things change for a defense when you have a competent offense and teams know they have to score against you. They folded like a cheap suit at Indy in the second half.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

The Jets had most of those players before Tubby showed up, that wasn't a rebuilding job just a good job of taking advantage of ready made talent with a few additions - I still want to see the Jets defense when they get into a shootout, things change for a defense when you have a competent offense and teams know they have to score against you. They folded like a cheap suit at Indy in the second half.

They got into a shooutout with the Jags too. Didn't end well.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

The re-building of the defense
Year 1 2008
Year 2 2009
Year 3 2010

The secondary is all but complete.
The defensive line needs replacements for Burgess and Green (or re-sign them).
The ILB's are at least almost there with Mayo, Guyton and McKenzie.
The OLB's are very weak. We have situational and ST players Banta-Cain and Woods.

So, even after the resignings, we have five needs after two years of focused effort (2 DE's, 1 ILB, 2 OLB's). It may take more than one more year to fill these positions. In any case, it may take more than 2010 to have contributers at these positions.

Thank you!! You can't rebuild an entire defense in one year, it likely takes 2 or 3. Last year we bolstered our secondary, hopefully this year we improve the front 7. Resigning Wilfork, Bodden, TBC now allows us to focus on that. One day at a time.... let's not forget we have 4 day one picks

 

[mgteich]

Re: Lombardi: Pats have re-signed Bodden [Agent: "Rumors are premature at best"]

You mean that you think that we don't think we have a Super Bowl defense with Banta-Cain and Ninkovich as our starting outside linebackers, with Crable and Woods as the able backups?

its good to not have one less thing to worry about early in the draft........while he is by no means any kind of show stopper, he has starter value and he with butler are seemingly taking care of the corners......

BUT WE NEED SOME DAMNED LB'S!!!!!!!