Patriots Sign Leigh Bodden
The Patriots have made a move to solidify their cornerbacks cornerback corps by signing unrestricted free agent Leigh Bodden to a one year contract, Christopher Gasper reports:
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 all season.
The Patriots brought Bodden in for a visit on the first day of free agency (Feb. 27), but Bodden departed Foxborough without a deal. Now, he has one.
In 2008, Detroit traded massive defensive tackle Shaun Rogers to Cleveland to obtain Bodden (as well as a third-round pick) and then signed him to a four-year, $27 million contract extension. They cut him before a large roster bonus that would have kicked in the contract was due.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 193-pounder is a good fit for the Patriots because he flourished in Cleveland when former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel was his coach.
This is an absolutely huge signing for the Patriots. Bodden will really bolster the cornerback group, as the Patriots now have a three headed monster in Ellis Hobbs, Leigh Bodden, and Shawn Springs.
What’s great about this group is that is has size, speed, experience and versatility. Shawn Springs is a physical shutdown cornerback who can dominate at the line of scrimmage, and possibly even play some safety. Leigh Bodden has the most size of any cornerback on the roster. At 6-1, 190, he has youth, experience in a similar system under Romeo Crennel, and the ability to play both physically and with speed. Ellis Hobbs may be small, but he is still very skilled. He is blazing fast, and can cover both inside and outside receivers.
The Patriots now have Ellis Hobbs, Jonathan Wilhite, Terrence Wheatley, Shawn Springs, Mike Richardson, and Leigh Bodden on the roster. Wow. Scratch cornerback off the “needs” list come April’s draft.
Reader Comments
Huge signing by the Pats. Man, this team looks better and better as the days go on and we’re not even at the draft yet where we have FOUR picks in the first two rounds. I definitely think we’ll be trading at least one of them for a future pick.
(Quote)
[Reply]
Fantastic!!
(Quote)
[Reply]
“In 2005, Chad Johnson announced he was keeping a list of defensive backs who had covered him skillfully. This list was called “Who Covered 85 in ‘05″, the Pro-Bowler named Leigh Bodden #1 and called him his toughest cover after being held to a season low 2 catches and 22 yards.”
-wikipedia
(Quote)
[Reply]