Paul’s Calls: Bodden back
Written by Paul Perillo on March 10, 2010 – 10:28 am -Turns out the important part of Jason La Canfora’s NFL Network report yesterday about Leigh Bodden was true: the cornerback has indeed re-signed to remain in New England. According to Bodden’s agent Alvin Keels‘ update on Twitter last night, the deal is four years (not five) and worth $22 million (not $28.5 million). Both versions had the guarantees at $10 million.
This is good news for the Patriots defense. Bodden played well for the most part in 2009 and was the team’s best corner. Losing him would have left the aging Shawn Springs, second-year man Darius Butler and slot corner Jonathan Wilhite as the only players with any experience at the position. Bodden’s return lessens the immediate need to bolster the spot via the draft, although it’s possible that Bill Belichick will look to add depth to the secondary fairly early anyway.
Basically, with Vince Wilfork, Tully Banta-Cain and Bodden all re-signed, the Patriots will return with pretty much the same defense they played with last season. There still figures to be a tweak here or there (Adalius Thomas won’t likely stick around) but for the most part the team seems to be banking on the known (re-signed veterans) and the improvement of several young players who got a taste a year ago.
Overall, it’s not a bad plan. The defense figures to improve simply with the natural progression of young players like Jerod Mayo, Butler, Patrick Chung, Wilhite, Gary Guyton, Myron Pryor, Ron Brace and perhaps even an unknown quantity such as linebacker Tyrone McKenzie.
With Jarvis Green gone to Denver, I’d like to see the team add a defensive end, and the pass rush is still in need of an upgrade, but this unit should improve simply as a result of experience.
Posted in Free Agency (2010) |
March 10th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Paul don’t forget future hall of famer Shawn Crable. Surprised Bodden didn’t get more in the open market. Good news for the Pats now we can focus on the pass rush and wide outs. Maybe we can swing a trade for one of those maybe both.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
yes definatly the patriots are going to be alot better on defense just because of there experience from last year, and maybe the raven playoff game left a sour taste in their mouths and just made them even more hungry to win. our only glaring hole is the pass rush.
March 10th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Glad we have all these vets re-signed. Now maybe the Pats will trade away some of the weak links for stronger players.
March 10th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
It certainly would be great to get a RB, that could run N/S, instead of E/W, as L. Maroney seems to have a predilection for. The RB by committee is ok, but the Pats really need a main RB, that can actually be effective. I have watched L.M. since the Pats first signed him, and STILL can’t understand why they haven’t gotten rid of him.
March 10th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Very good blog, Paul - something a lot of people have missed. The defense can’t get worse in 2010. As you say, lots of young players and really, they can only improve. Then you add in red-shirts Crable (he can’t be any worse than being on IR) and McKenzie as well as whomever is added from here on out and via the draft and I’m optimistic the defense will at least be able to stop some offenses at least some of the time next year, haha!
March 10th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Well it’s a good start. Like you’ve stated Paul, they only lost some big games last year ( besides the one that counted the most) by a few points, so resigning the core group of guys makes for a great spring board into the draft.
and yes, our rookies could have alot of hidden potential that gets better with experience. Mr.Bruschi took four years to triple his season solo tackle stat from his rookie year.
March 10th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
I think if Odrick is there at 22 he could be a great investment.
March 10th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Isn’t it time for Terrence Wheatley to step up and assume a starting corner role? As a second rounder I would assume the Pats had high hopes for him. With his speed he should mature into a great cover corner. Seems like we have missed the mark on several early round draft picks that haven’t developed to assume the role projected for them.