Patriots Release CB Leigh Bodden
by Richard Hill on Oct 28, 2011 5:37 PM EDT
in New England Patriots News
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PrintThe Patriots have announced the release of cornerback Leigh Bodden. Bodden has spent three seasons with the Patriots after joining as a free agent. Bodden had a stellar 2009 season which earned a long term contract to solidify the Patriots' weak secondary. He missed the 2010 season with an injury and has been hampered by additional injuries all season.
Bodden was the third cornerback on the depth chart behind Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington. It seems as if Bodden was unhappy with his decreased role on defense as rookie Ras-I Dowling earned the starting spot over Bodden at the beginning of the season and, once Dowling was injured, Arrington assumed the starting role. Bodden's agent stated, "He's enjoyed this time in New England, but after meeting with coach Belichick this morning, both parties agreed it was time to move on." If this is true, it could mean the end of Bodden in New England. Usually, when a player still has their possessions in their locker, it could signify a potential return (a la Dan Gronkowski). However, if Bodden is truly ready to move on, this could be a big move for the Patriots defense.
Dowling has continued to sit out from practice due to his hip injury, which means that Antwaun Molden will have to step up as the third cornerback on the field. Once Dowling recovers, the Patriots will have a solid young trio in McCourty, Arrington, and Dowling, but he seems to be struggling to make it back on the field.
Bodden will go down as a great player in 2009, but another one of Belichick's disappointing acquisitions. It seems that since 2005, for every Junior Seau, Sammy Morris, Wes Welker, Randy Moss, Rob Ninkovich, and Dan Connolly, the Patriots have had a David Terrell, Duane Starks, Johnathan Sullivan, Reche Caldwell, Adalius Thomas, 2008 secondary members (Lewis Sanders, Fernando Bryant, Jason Webster, Tank Williams), Fred Taylor, Shawn Springs, Joey Galloway, Greg Lewis, Alex Smith, Derrick Burgess, and Torry Holt. Even successes like Alge Crumpler and Tully Banta-Cain last only a short while. While Belichick and the Patriots have done well trading picks for players and resigning successful players the team drafted, they have had extremely limited success in finding long term contributors through free agency.
The key to the Patriots success in the early part of the decade was their ability to find veteran players who could contribute for numerous seasons and who could help build a strong roster. Belichick needs to find that magic touch because the recent quality acquisitions have been lacking as of late. Belichick's strength remains his ability to find talent through the draft and with undrafted free agents, as well as determining when to cut loose with a player on the roster. However, his overall skill as a veteran talent evaluator and cultivator must improve.
Hopefully Ras-I Dowling can return to the field and hopefully the release of Leigh Bodden won't come back to haunt the Patriots this Halloween.
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So I just looked through all of the Patriots' Free Agent pick-ups since 2005...
…and I tried to find the players who were consistent starters for 2+ years. Who has made it? Well, here are the main contributors for multiple seasons:
Junior Seau (2006-2009, starter for 2006)
Jabar Gaffney (2006-2008, #3/4 receiver for 2007-2008)
Sammy Morris (2007-2010, starter for 2008)
Adalius Thomas (2007-2009, starter for all three)
Tully Banta-Cain (2009-2010, starter for 2009)
That’s pretty much it. Seriously. Out of those five contributors, only Adalius Thomas has been a multi-year starter and he’s known as what the Patriots need to avoid in free agency. While it’s fine to find band-aids through free agency (Seau), the team needs to capitalize on the talent available to bolster and improve the roster. The front office has been striking out in free agency left and right and that needs to change.
Have they really been all that active in free agency though?
I mean par for the course from them is to bring in some old guys and see if they have anything left.
They typically bring in 6-7 veteran free agents.
Up until these past two seasons where they had 3 in 2010 (Crumpler, Warren, Lewis) and 1 this past year (Stroud). Compare that to 2001 when they brought in David Patten, Mike Compton, Roman Phifer, Anthony Pleasant, Antowain Smith, and Mike Vrabel (all 2+ season starters). Or to 2003 with Tyrone Poole, Brandon Gorin, Rosevelt Colvin, and Rodney Harrison.
It seems that the team has much greater success when they strike gold in free agency. Those two years of FA set up all the Super Bowls.
by Richard Hill on Oct 28, 2011 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that if you look at all pro teams in general
and not just NFL – this seems to hold true in all sports – that FA pickups are a mixed bag, period. Especially veteran FAs.
They are, however a necessary part of the roster-filling process. Your positional choices out of the draft in a given year and via trade are not always lined up with your needs. The FA field is more wide open so you can use it to address gaps in your roster in a more targeted manner.
However, FAs often cost more for ‘proven’ talent. I.E> some free agents at least have a proven track record of success in the NFL (unlike rookies out of college). Thus they can sometimes cost a lot.
Along with the proof of ‘talent’ that comes with veterans, though, is wear and tear.
Younger FAs may have less wear and tear, but no proof that they have the talent to play. They are cheaper – but most guys who are ‘young’ and ‘free agents’ are guys who either didn’t get drafted or got cut early in their careers. Thus a lot of the cheap FAs are simply not good enough.
So there is no getting around the fact that it is a gamble, either with health or with whether they have the talent to stick.
This pretty much applies to all the major pro sports, not just football.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Yep, it's definitely a big risk.
But it’s still something the talent evaluators must improve on if they wish to take the next step forward as a team.
by Richard Hill on Oct 28, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Much greater success because of them?
or just with them.
I agree with your overall point (talent evaluation), but I also do not believe the majority of those earlier FA’s could start for this team. Rodney sure could, although so could Milloy, Vrabel could (hot damn, could he evar), but the rest were pretty much filler. Poole defended the slot in a league less pass happy than today’s model, Colvin was a semi-bust, nor did he even start for those teams, Smith ran because we had no one else, and Pfifer and Pleasant were strictly Belichick guys.
You could take this back even further when BB basically remade his front 7 with FA’s, Seymour and Willie. But Cox and Co. weren’t studs or impact players or anything. They were signed and then played because BB had to re-do fairly quickly the roster given.
Maybe that helps explain why BB isn’t dipping into the FA pool much lately: He already has his guys, and his team ain’t half bad. Even a fairly prized FA DB such as Bodden eventually gets pushed down his depth chart.
I'd say because of them.
Those players were starters for the Super Bowl teams because they fit exactly what they needed. Players like Brian Waters are clutch additions. I don’t think anyone would argue that a Rodney in the secondary would be a huge improvement. A Vrabel would be a game changer.
Belichick has been successful with the draft and UDFAs and he should continue to do that, but the veteran pick-ups fill out the roster and give the younger players time to develop.
by Richard Hill on Oct 29, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Colvin could,
provided he was healthy. Severely underrated because he never was, but he could play.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
Yikes
This must have been done to clear some space for players returning to the practice squad. Bodden may not have been in ‘09 form, but he’s better than Moulden and less injured than Dowling.
Give Molden a chance.
By practice squad, I assume you mean PUP and NFIRR?
Josh Barrett and maybe Sergio Brown are likely cuts to come. Maybe one of the reserve guards as well.
It is what it is
Not surprised Molden is moving up.
Pats scouted him before he was drafted, Texans got him first. 6 CBs on the roster was a bit much. Guess this means Belichick lkes what he sees in Phillip Adams who, like Molden, will be eased into the scheme. I’m only surprised it was Bodden. If McCourty keeps playing like how he was this season….
It is what it is
Is he worth re-signing if he plays #1 receiver AND shutdown corner?
I have a feeling he could shut down the other slot receivers in the league.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 29, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
It's time for Troy Brown to un-retire
Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?
by cruelangelT on Oct 28, 2011 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions
He's thinking...
“Man, that reporter will never learn that plaid doesn’t go with stripes…”
by SyracusePatsFan on Oct 28, 2011 7:16 PM EDT reply actions
He hit on a few this past offseason.
Waters and Carter are looking like great acquisitions. Haynesworth and Andersen are working out alright, too. Ihedigbo has seen limited action, but been very effective when playing.
I'd wait a couple seasons...
…because Crumpler looked like a hit and he was released. Belichick has found great one year band-aids, but those players don’t stick around.
by Richard Hill on Oct 29, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
This is what I will go with, and probably not for the last time
Dropping arguably your best CB before one of the toughest games on the road all year is absolutely crazy. Most team’s fans would be in a catatonic state.
However, after the Moss-trade I believe in BB. Molden doesn’t have to play lights out this week, just has to be serviceable.
by The Peoples Champ on Oct 28, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not sure I believe in him
This and Meriweather… Not so much that they were gotten rid of but that they were just cut. I don’t see Bodden as a guy I want to be playing corner, but he is probably one of the best we have. Its funny: Last year we seemed weak on D-line and linebackers while having a strong backfield w/ Mccourty, now we have one of the potentially best D-lines, decent linebackers in Spikes and Mayo, but a horrible backfield.
BB makes me scream at my TV/Computer saying “why the **** would you do that?!” Sometimes it becomes very clear why he does the things he does, and others it seems like you’re just left with question-marks over your head.
Oh my god a floor zombie! Oh wait, thats you
- Toby Turner
by New Century Silver on Oct 29, 2011 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
See the key is to mentally be prepared to see our team get torched up and down the field.
That way, once it happens, you won’t have to drink yourself to death, because you’ll be immune to alcohol by then, due to the fact that you’ll be drinking so much at the mere thought of it prior to the game.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
by PatNation85 on Oct 29, 2011 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Have you SEEN Meriweather play this year?
LOL.
Protip: Meriweather became a starter, and has already been dropped to the bench.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 29, 2011 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions
"Not so much that they were gotten rid of but that they were just cut..."
…and still cost this team close to $3m (with Bodden costing for 2012, as well).
Don’t sign Bodden, TBC, Ocho, and release Merriweather back in spring, and that money would have been better utilized for Joseph or Cromartie.
I think that’s really the only valid criticism of Belichick here, and it’s all based on hindsight.
Looking back on the free agent market
perhaps one of the steals of the year is Carlos Rogers. NIners waited until almost nothing else was available, and then snatched both him, and Donte Whitner. Both have played very well. Rogers has always been known as a very solid cover guy with the knock on him that he drops a lot of interceptions. I would be very happy right now with a guy who can consistently cover. Watching him play this year, he has been a very, very good addition to the Niner secondary, and has 3 interceptions. He’s been more or less a lockdown corner, and damn, I wish we signed him.
Yeah, I wish they grabbed JJ.
He’s a great corner.
by Richard Hill on Oct 29, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
BB's unwillingness to give DB's large paychecks
supports my theory that with his defense, they aren’t as vital as we generally think they are.
God I hope he knows what he's doing.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
Leigh Bodden
BB needed the roster spot plus Bodden wasn’t performing up to expectations.
This is a total disaster
Even if Bodden has been disappointing, at least he’s actually been ready to play, unlike Dowling.
Ugh, I’m not happy about the direction of this defense at all.
???
First, you’re “not happy about the direction of this defense at all”, but then when Belichick makes a change to said defense, it’s a “total disaster”.
Sense. This makes none.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Oct 29, 2011 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I think you misunderstood
What I meant by “the direction of this defense” was the continuing poor play of McCourty, the nagging injuries to Dowling (which, considering an injury history was the whole reason he fell to us in the draft, is very troubling), and now the release of Bodden.
Instead of the pass defense coming together, McCourty is still getting picked on, Dowling can’t get healthy, and now Bodden (whose return we were all pointing to after last season as a reason the defense would improve) just plain got the axe.
I think you think I’m one of those types who says “Argh this defense sucks Belichick do something,” and then complains when something is done. Not the case.
I saw this team shut down
a prolific offense led by a QB with a rather large forehead, with Law and Poole both IR’d, inexperienced Gay and Samuel starting, and Brown playing too many minutes because our DB’s were so decimated with injury. They skunked him.
DB’s have less to do with it than many of you believe. Pressure, LB’s competent in the flat… many other ingredients are just as important as our talent at DB.
by SSiewar on Oct 29, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That was years ago, this is now. I get your point(s) but just like we 14-2 meant nothing in the playoffs in the very
same year, that circumstance of 7 years or so ago that mentioned above has nothing to do with the now.
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
Once again I’m sensing panic from some posters here. Like the sky is falling and its time to head for the hills. I think more is going on than we know about Bodden. Maybe he is having some personal issues. Maybe he isn’t getting along with the coaching staff. But something is going on. He’s gone now. And tis time to deal with what is going on in front of us. They still have to play a Pittsburgh team on Sunday. I’m still confident.
And by the way I must add, even though the wide outs haven’t developed as we would like. Gronk and Hernandez have turned out pretty well. Which has improved the balance of and in the offense. I think the fact that the receivers that haven’t been developed by the Patriots is getting too much attention.
Very confusing
Butler, Meriweather, Sanders.Paige. McGowan and Bodden all gone. Are we going to play deeper, rely on preventing the long pass and hit the receivers harder? Are the better tacklers staying? Are we going to run the ball more to control the clock? Very confusing.
It really irks me that people think Dowling is a bust already
because he’s been injured and was just placed on Injured Reserve. I mean, it’s not like a guy can’t have a great career if he misses his rookie year. Maybe he’s been injury prone because of a lack of proper therapy and such, and maybe an NFL level trainer/therapist is exactly what he needs to stay healthy. When he played, I saw flashes of brilliance. Hopefully he comes back strong next year, and can stay healthy. Here’s hoping!
It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.
by BigRussNovak on Oct 29, 2011 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I'm with you
I thought he was one of our best DBs early this season. Injuries happen, there’s no need to write the guy off so early in his career.
Deep in enemy territory
This is all the more surprising considering Ras-I Dowling on IR
This is more than just a parting of ways. Something must have happened between Bodden and BB to make him get rid of a player who, even if he was underperforming, was at a poisition of limited depth.
"I just build our guys up. If it's trash talking that I believe in our football team, then, yes, I agree with that statement. I'm the biggest trash talker there is." Rex Ryan
Well, damn
I was kind of expecting Ras-I to become Ras-IR, just because of the suspiciously long injury. Then when Bodden was cut, a part of me thought, well, that must mean Ras-I is gonna be OK. And now they’re both gone.
Things are never dull around here.
Hopes and dreams, cause that's all we'll have during playoff time lmao
In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.
I’ll put my faith in Bill over the Commentariat
by quadruple option on Oct 29, 2011 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it true
that Dowling is on IR?
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