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Bodden anxious to return
Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
06.12.2007
A welcome sign for those in attendance at the first day of Browns minicamp Tuesday was an appearance by cornerback Leigh Bodden, who sat out nearly all of organized team activities during the past few weeks recovering from ankle surgery.

While he spent most of practice on a stationary bike, he participated in more of the two-hour workout than he had during any of the previous three practices open to the media over the past few weeks.

It was the first significant sign that the team's perceived No. 1 corner is ready to return to the field. He said he'll be 100 percent and ready to go by the time training camp opens in late July.

"It's a slow process but we have six weeks to go until training camp, so I'll be full speed by then," the cornerback said Tuesday. "It's very frustrating. I hate watching out there. I want to be out there on the field to compete and help this team out."

Bodden had surgery to clean out his right ankle that was originally injured during '06 via a high ankle sprain. When things didn't get better after the season ended, he sought additional help.

"Nothing seemed like it was getting better so I came back up here and talked to the trainers and doctors and we felt like (surgery) was the best thing to do," he said. "They just cleaned some stuff up."

A year ago, the Browns were poised to enter the 2006 season considering the cornerback unit to be one of the strengths of the team.

The case was supported by a trio of experienced players -- Gary Baxter, Bodden and Daylon McCutcheon. But thanks to a laundry list of injuries, the club never got to see all three play together.

A training camp injury and subsequent surgery for McCutcheon landed him on inujred-reserve.

The club had both Baxter and Bodden for just two games, while for six of the team's 16 games the team was without all three, instead relying on a group of unproven players to do the job.

While guys like Daven Holly, Jereme Perry, and Ralph Brown played well considering the task asked of them, it was by no means a group a general manager or head coach hope to take into a regular season NFL game.

Now nearly a year later, McCutcheon is gone and Baxter is still rehabbing from the pair of torn patellar tendons he suffered in October. His status for the 2007 season is still in question.

Head Coach Romeo Crennel said Baxter has begun participating in some "controlled jogs" but he hasn't done any cutting or planting as of yet.

With Baxter and Bodden sidelined, what was left during OTAs was a more promising but still inexperienced group of young players resembling the unit that took over last year.

The group this time around, however, included not only Holly and Perry, but also second-round pick Eric Wright, fourth-round selection Brandon McDonald, and offseason acquisition Kenny Wright.

Those few additions significantly raised the raw talent among the group.

"We're encouraged by what we see," Crennel said. "The real bullets haven't started flying yet and that's always the ultimate test, but we like the ability of the younger guys.

"That's what OTAs and these minicamps are for -- to get these guys some experience so we can evaluate them and see what we think they can do."

If Baxter is unable to beat the odds and return by the regular season, the Browns are counting on one of those players to step up and become a starter alongside Bodden.

The initial frontrunners would seem to be Holly, Eric Wright, or Kenny Wright, but for rookie Eric Wright to earn the job, he'd have to do some fast learning.

Meanwhile, as the team's apparent top corner, more pressure than ever will be on Bodden to not only perform at a high level, but to stay healthy and prevent the situation the team faced a year ago.

But, as it has always been with the once-unlikely star who joined the club as an undrafted free agent in 2003, he's anxious for the challenge.

"I want to carry the load for this secondary," he said. "I feel like I'm one of the best corners in the league. A lot of people don't know, but if you turn on that film and really watch, I think I'm the best at what I do."

Home Page

1st time I've heard of having surgery to clean up a sprain.

FYI, Peeps... new video on the Home Page: RAC, BE, Bodden & BQ interviews.

BEREA - At least some good news came out of the Browns first day of mini camp as Leigh Bodden was back on the field. With the injuries to Gary Baxter’s knees and the departure of Daylon McCutcheon, Bodden is counted on as being the Browns’ No. 1 cornerback.

Bodden was plagued most of last season with a high ankle sprain to his right ankle. He played off and on through the season, but opted for surgery after the season as it didn’t seem to be healing properly.

He started and played in nine games and finished with 35 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and 11 passes broken up.

He first injured the ankle against the Raiders in the second quarter and missed the next two games. After playing two games, he was shut down again for three more weeks. He then came back for three games before missing the final two regular season games.

“I’m feeling good,” Bodden said after Tuesday morning’s practice. “I’m progressing. It’s been a slow process, but we still have six weeks until training camp.”

Bodden said he wasn’t planning on surgery, but the medical staff felt it was the best thing to do.

“I had (the ankle) cleaned up, so hopefully, I won’t have any problems this year,” he said. “I still feel a little pain, but it will be o.k.

“Surgery wasn’t mentioned at the time, but I felt it wasn’t getting any better.”

Bodden is entering his fifth season with the Browns after signing as an undrafted free agent from Duquesne. He had a breakout season in 2005 as he started 11 games and had a career high 59 tackles with three interceptions and 20 passes broken up. The Browns signed him to a multi-year deal following the 2005 season.

The Browns are counting on him to regain his health and the form he displayed in 2005 when he shut down opponents’ top receivers, including the Bengals’ Chad Johnson.

“I welcome the pressure,” Bodden said. “I don’t buckle under the pressure.”

Bodden is optimistic about the Browns young secondary. Besides Bodden, rookie Eric Wright is being counted upon to step in and play. Daven Holly returns after starting 12 games for the Browns in 2006. The Browns also signed nine-year veteran Kenny Wright as an undrafted free agent in the off-season.

Romeo Crennel thinks the cornerback position will be stronger this season.

“(Cornerback) is another situation with competition going on,” Crennel said. “We gave some experienced guys like Kenny Wright and some other young guys learning.

“We’re encouraged by what we see.”

And so is Bodden.

“We have a lot of young guys and I think we’ll be alright,” he said. “Eric Wright looks excellent.

“Kenny Wright and DeMario Minter are looking good,” he added. “I think the secondary will be fine. We have a lot of young guys and hopefully, Gary Baxter will be back.”

Notebook

Out and About: TE Kellen Winslow did not participate in the mini camp practice, but was running at half or three quarter speed on the sidelines. CB Gary Baxter did not practice but continues to do “controlled jogging” as Crennel referred to it. He did say that Baxter has told him his goal is to be ready for the first game against the Steelers. Crennel said they will evaluate him at the beginning of training camp.

Rookie free agent OL Scott Stephenson sprained his ankle coming down stairs in the facility and did not practice.

Crennel said training camp begins July 23 for rookies and for veterans on July 27.

Quinn Speaks: Rookie QB Brady Quinn said he feels he is adjusting to the Browns system, but it’s too early too tell how far he has come along.

“I’m digesting the system, but it’s tough to tell until we get into a game scenario,” he said. “My goal is not where I’m at now, but where I am headed. I feel like I’m getting used to the speed of the game and how quickly the windows open and close.”

Crennel said not much has changed with the quarterbacks.

“The competition is still going on and all the guys are competing and making progress,” he said. “We’ll continue to evaluate them.”

Crennel was asked about who’s ahead.

“The experienced guys have the edge and the rookie is a rookie.”

Get well and stay well, Leigh!!

Not that this has been out of the ordinary, but I noticed they didn't mention Perkins yet again.

As some know, I am big Bodden fan. This guy either makes the play or is always close to making the play i.e., his guy may get a catch, but he doesn't get far after that.

If he stays healthy, I think he's a Pro Bowl player.

I also like him because he was a diamond in the rough guy. You really need some of those to truly become a great team.

Come on Leigh, make it happen this year.


Anyway, this really made me smile:

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“I welcome the pressure,” Bodden said. “I don’t buckle under the pressure.”

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This made me smile even more.

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“Eric Wright looks excellent.

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Is it wrong that this really made me laugh?

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Rookie free agent OL Scott Stephenson sprained his ankle coming down stairs in the facility and did not practice.

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"I feel like I'm one of the best corners in the league. A lot of people don't know, but if you turn on that film and really watch, I think I'm the best at what I do."

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I've loved Bodden for awhile and i sort of agree with this. He is a great man to man defender, and I do think he's certainly top-10 in the league if he can stay healthy for most of a season. As corners always seem to get banged up in one way or another, it's nice that we're getting this depth.

If Bodden played on a better team he'd be even more recognized for sure, and while many people say he's not as good as some advertise (on this board to whom say he's one of the best), I think he is, and i'm happy he has that confidence as well.

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Rookie free agent OL Scott Stephenson sprained his ankle coming down stairs in the facility and did not practice.

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Toss some mudd on it, git it a spit and get youre behind out on the field and practice.....

Ya cant make the club in the tube....

im hoping the Vet gets cut.. and Rac plays the young guys.. get them some PT.. especially if Bodden and Holly are our two starters... you don't need a vet backup..

1) Bodden
2) Holly
3) Eric Wright
4) Minter
5) McDonald

Those five look on point to me Turk. I hope that's what we really do because it'll show that we aren't all that weak at corner and have some depth. Kenny Wright was a signing i didn't understand and felt that the CB position wasn't all that weak. After the draft, it's looking a lot better. I'm hoping he gets the boot and Minter makes the team. Although we might have to make room for Baxter too.......

"...you don't need a vet backup.."

Sorry,Turk but you are off base on this one. Veteran depth is important to the developing younger players for teaching purposes only.

I sure hope this kid comes back better than ever.. he's a darn good corner that has the potential of getting even better..

You do need veteran depth.
Vets should be smart enough to recognize where they need to be , how to play in a scheme and keep everyone on the same page.

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but how are u suppose to develop your younger players if you keep putting vets ahead of them?

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I think younger guys need to BEAT out the Vets for a job.. JMO, but Vets shouldn't lose thier jobs to rooks unless the rooks earn it. But maybe what you are really saying is the same thing.. I doubt you would seriously want a Rookie playing if the Vet is better...

Gotta keep Kenny Wright since he can be an emergency S also.

I'd drop Minter personally.

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Minter wasn't a guy I thought was all that great coming out of college. I think he's just an average CB, probably no more than a NB. I would rather have a vet in that spot.

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uh-oh...................BigC, you went and said something bad about a georgia boy to turk.............

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I'd drop Minter personally.

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Why? You haven't seen him in a Browns Uni yet.. You can't possibly know enough to know he's better or worse than anyone else on the team... he didn't play last season... no film except from College on him and that was good enough for the Browns to draft him,,, So why would you cut him?

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Given the choice between a 5th round DB who was hurt last year, and was frankly average in college, and an experienced DB who contribute immediately, I'll take the experience.

And again, as I pointed out I didn't like him in college. Watching film of him then, I felt he had a limited ceiling, and was not shocked to see him slip.

I choose to be honest about guys rather than always banking on every rookie to pan out and develop. I just don't see Minter having much value.

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I think we saw different Minters in college. My Minter was great in run coverage, in your face, jam cover guy. He wasn't that fast and didn't get interceptions, but he was my favorite guy on that defense because he just seemed to be in on every play. Minter was no average player. He might have been good instead of great, but I really think that Minter is the style of CB that we need on this team.

One thing that you are correct about though is that he has a limited ceiling. He won't be fast like Deangelo Hall and he isn't the second coming of a good to great player either, like Leigh Bodden. But I think he definitely is good enough to be a competent cornerback and play in the NFL and contribute to teams for a number of years.

On the other hand, I think Kenny Wright is a journeyman defensive back with little upside. Emergency safety or not, I like our Minter and definitely hope he makes the team.

Minter IMO is a duplicate of Leigh Bodden... not the fastest.. but he can guard some of the best... and most importantly... he's not intimidated by the best.. he has confidence in his abilities...

I dont know what Minter you saw either BigC, cuz Minter was a pretty good corner... He's not a Champ Bailey, but who is?

personally.. if Wright was that good of a Vet, he would have not had the opportunity to sign with another team.. obviously he doesnt have it all there... I'd rather play the guys who do...

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He's not a Champ Bailey, but who is?

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Champ Bailey.

Just a few notes here.

1. McDonald was a 5th round pick not 4th - ya figure a Staff writer would get that fact correct

2. UFA...lol Undrafted FA... - yeah its Unrestricted not Undrafted guess we'll let him slide but he ain't endearing me any with his basic football knowledge.

3. Veteran CB...we don't have any 9 years is a lot of experience....hopefully the kids will learn from him by Cut time. But RAC's Defense especially in the secondary is pretty cerebral where guys like Russell can excel in it...possibly Wright can also. I know he hasn't looked great on some other teams though - but experience is something we don't have too much of. Bodden hasn't started a full season yet and some of you think thats enough experience???

4. Minter - Kardiac...the way I read that article that quote came from RAC not Bodden...which holds a lot more weight and I'm glad RAC noted that cause BigC as much I don't like Turks GA Homerism (just like I don't like OSU or any college homerism on a Browns Board) Minter came to us a fith rounder but was noted early on as a late 1st round 2nd round prospect until the Combine medical reports showed an injury that would hamper him in 06...so he dropped - we invested the 06 season and now all healed and some experience he once again is that late 1st early 2nd round prospect...I'm glad he's doing well and can be a great surprise for us.

5. Turk... "Minter IMO is a duplicate of Leigh Bodden... not the fastest."
Be accurate...Bodden's best attribute is his closing speed, its always been his biggest asset - Minter is the farthest thing from Bodden actually his prowess is hitting and he has excellent closing speed for the run game and a body to withstand hitting a RB which Bodden has the will just not the body and why I hope to see him on the weakside - Minter still must experience coverage of an NFL WR.

6. Always love how Savage does his thing and attacks a weak part of our team and try to make it stronger...I think he has done his job well. Corner takes time to learn...one of the toughest transitions from college. Eric Wright is a future star...hope he can be discipline enough to contribute right away.

JMHO

Minter has really good hands underneath and a solid jam and also a nice break on the ball. He can play a little tighter coverage than most of the corners we are used to having and he is also a bit stronger than most of our recent corners. He will get a little high in his backpedal but that could have been due to the ankle and not being able to sink the hips the way he needs.

Thanks...I definately haven't seen enough of him to state much in certainty...all I can go with is College and lets face it GA had to deal with the Run game more than any complex passing game and Minter was excellent against the run.

Don't have anything to judge him on passing game...just know Speed is basically all of Bodden's game...from the first day he practiced with us its been his speed that has been impressive. To state Bodden as a Lack of Speed guy was funny to me...lol

JMHO