Patriots agree to terms with Leigh Bodden

by bartHML on Mar 10, 2009 4:09 PM EDT Comment 12 comments

According to Christopher L. Gasper (because Mike Reiss is on holiday :) )

According to a league source, the Patriots have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with free agent cornerback Leigh Bodden.

The 27-year-old Bodden was released by the Detroit Lions on Feb. 9, after a season in which he had one interception -- although it was the only interception by a defensive back for the 0-16 Lions, who had just four interceptions total last season.

Interesting turn of events, especially after the Springs-signing. Suddenly we have quite a quality depth at CB. Maybe an indication that we will explore other opportunities in the draft.

Full article here

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Nice!

After the Springs signing, I wasn’t expecting us to land Bodden. I thought he was expected to sign somewhere else soon, but that may have been my mind playing tricks on me.

It looks like Safety and OLB may be our biggest needs at the moment, especially considering that the Patriots might not re-sign Lewis Sanders (assuming the report is true).

by NESilver on Mar 10, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking this wasn’t going to happen since the Pats usually sign a visiting player within 48 hours after they visit. Bodden is the guy I wanted them to sign over Springs too, so this is good news. Thanks for the post.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Mar 10, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Heck yeah. With a good draft (not even a great one) we now have a VERY strong team.

by Toe Nash on Mar 10, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Patriots? Strong? Pffft.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Mar 10, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One additional detail

The Patriots and veteran CB Leigh Bodden have agreed to a one-year contract for the veteran minimum of $750,000, a league source told NFL.com’s Vic Carucci.

Source: NFL.com

by NESilver on Mar 10, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Surprised

That it’s at the veterans minimum. Seems like he shopped himself around extensively, would have thought he’d have a taker around Springs dollars ($3-4mm p.a.). Overall, have to like the move. Hobbs, Bodden and Springs are all essentially #2 corners. Given his age and previous success, seems to offer some upside as well. With Wilhite and Wheatley to develop, and I believe Mike Richardson still kicking around, good balance of youth and experience.

Would have to think that both sides of the line, LB, and the safety position have to be the focus in the draft. I think the Pats could go heavy with OL/DL in the 2nd round after securing either an LB or S in the first.

by Pie McKenzie on Mar 10, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he wants to win a Super Bowl more than he wants to get paid. After a season like the one he just endured, I don’t blame him a bit.

by RSNexile on Mar 10, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Redemption

I believe he had offers for more dollars, but they were just not large enough. So he takes a one-year deal with the Patriots, hopes to rebound in a defensive system suited for him and cash in big next year. I even read that the contract includes a clause protecting him against af franchise tag next year – that is hardly normal in veteran-minimum contracts!

I like this move a lot: It is cheap, Bodden can probably play, he is only 27 years old, and doesn’t look like a major injury risk like so many other veterans added over the last years.

by hythlodaeus on Mar 11, 2009 6:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs