DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Bodden to be released

MLive.com doesn't expect the Lions to honor CB Leigh Bodden's $8.6 million roster bonus this offseason.

If Bodden is released, the Lions will have gotten one year of mediocre play and a fifth-round pick in exchange for All Pro NT Shaun Rogers. That has to go down as one of Matt Millen's most despicable moves as club president.
Source: MLive.com

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playernews.aspx?sport=NFL

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2009/01/lions_roster_set_for_major_ove.html

Gotta hand it to Savage on that one. Give credit where credit is due.

Wow. Here's an article from last weeks Detroit News with a little backstory

Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Lions: Notebook

Unhappy Bodden doesn't hold back
John Niyo / The Detroit News

The Lions have a decision to make about starting cornerback Leigh Bodden. But Bodden's comments on his way out the door Monday might help make it for them.

Bodden, the sixth-year pro acquired from the Browns in the Shaun Rogers trade last February, signed a four-year contract extension with the Lions in July. Included in that new deal was an $8.6 million roster bonus due at the beginning of March.

"It's up to them," said Bodden, who wasn't comfortable in the Lions' Tampa 2 scheme and clearly got off on the wrong foot with the coaches. "I don't have the power. ... I'm not even worrying about that until it happens. They've got to make a decision."


On Monday, shortly after the Lions announced the firing of coach Rod Marinelli and some of his staff, Bodden was asked if he wanted to remain with the Lions.

"If it was a coaching staff that really appreciated me and really liked what I did as a player, then, of course," Bodden said. "That's really what I didn't get here, and it's hard to play for somebody like that. If they bring somebody in that respects the way I play -- because I'm one of the best in the league, and if a coaching staff can respect that -- then I'll be happy anywhere."

Bodden didn't start the season opener at Atlanta, but soon replaced Travis Fisher in the lineup. He was switched from right cornerback to the left side in Week 3 at San Francisco and went on to finish with just one interception after getting six a year ago with the Browns.

"When I first stepped foot in the door, I mean, did I start?" Bodden said. "And then I end up starting. That doesn't make any sense. I don't know what conclusion they had for that. It ain't like I didn't make plays during training camp. I made plays. It was just baffling to me. And from that point, I wasn't happy. ... And it's hard to play when you're unhappy."

Bodden was the only defensive back with an interception this season for the Lions, who set an NFL single-season record for fewest interceptions with four.

"Here and there, wide receivers made plays on me," Bodden said. "I'm not going to go 16 games without letting up any catches. That's going to happen. But I made my share of plays, and I think I played well this year."

Asked to evaluate Bodden's play Monday, Marinelli said, "I thought he played very well. That's why we moved him to left corner. That's where everybody throws at and usually the best corner's out there."

Detroit News

Would he be a good pick-up again for the Browns if available on the cheap?

You beat me to it.
Should the Browns look at Bodden as a possible nickle back?
I KNOW he would be an upgrade over Cousin, and whats-his-name that was signed for a 7th round pick, Travis something or other.
Might be something that would be thought about if anyone was in place to look at it.
What to others think.

considering we do not know if Holly will come back 100% and McDonald is better as a nickelback..I would like to have him back (at the right price of course)

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Gotta hand it to Savage on that one. Give credit where credit is due.

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Yeah, that one was a coup for sure.. Savage ran over Millan with a tank on that trade..LOL

Anyway, I would love to have bodden back. Never wanted to see him go anyway. Him, Wright and McDonald could be very effective.... Actually, they were the year we went 10-6. Not sure why it couldn't work again.

So U guys want a injury riddled CB who had a bad year back for some large bucks?


Give me a solid draft prospect....

I think we all need to realize, though, that Bodden is likely going to be asking for BIG money. If we signed him to a 1-year deal at a bargain price? Yeah, maybe it'd be worth it, then. But, after his big year he had a couple years ago, I never really thought much of him. But, that's JMHO.

And, he'd have to recognize that he couldn't just waltz into a starting spot here, either. Wright and McDonald didn't play poorly last year (yes, they could have been better), and Holly, if he comes back, is solid as well. Now, maybe a new regime would change things up, but Bodden would have to understand that he'd be in a pretty fiery competition for the starting slot.

Wright and McDonald didn't play poorly last year (yes, they could have been better),
U need to retract that...they played BADLY....in spurts..especially McToast..

Well, I disagree. Like I said, they could have done better. But I put more fault with the horrendous pass rush than the DBs.

Once again, they could have played better. But I don't think they played horribly.

I agree. McDonald and Wright didn't play nearly as bad as people think they did. The lack of a pass rush is what killed them.

I have no desire to see Bodden in a Browns uniform next year. He is injury proned and he will be asking for big money.

Your right, McD and Wright did not play bad at all and given a pass rush, will be VERY effective. But how does everyone here even feel that Bodden will be asking for big money?? There is NO PROOF of that and he had a bad year last year! SO if the Browns or anyone else signed him, it does not have to be for much at all. But there are 2 things holding this back, first, would he even want to play here and second, WE DONT HAVE A COACH OR GM YET!!

Heh...I'm usually one of the few in here who will speak out on players that most adore..
If you guys could analize a player on his own abilities instead of piggybacking his play on other units, you might actually be able to see if he really is good or not.

It's tough to truly read an individual's performance when it's based on how others do their jobs, too. JMHO

Not really..in some cases yes..but in others no..corners are a easy group to figure if you know what to look at..thats a position I know a lot about .

Well, I will admit that I don't know a lot in particular about any football position, not having ever really played truly organized ball myself. I look at more of the big picture.

I was looking more at the times when teams made quick throws and how many times they give up the play. I like EW but he seems to give a huge cushion all the time. On the other hand though McD plays the run pretty well and he does make a int. or deflection every now and then.

I'm very familar with the corner position..just a tip..things to look for in a corner is :
1-How clean and smooth can he come out of his backpeddle and turn his hips?
2-Can he play the QB and reciever or can he not turn his head around and run?
3-Does he have good closing speed?
4-is he instinctive?
5-is he physical?
6-can he give run support?
7-can he play press coverage or is he better in zone coverages?

If you look at those things , you'll be able to tell how good he is.

He was servicable..but he was very tight in the hips..he was more physical than Wright/McDonald but he was not always able to run with his man..it's why he was often played off speed recievers...

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So U guys want a injury riddled CB who had a bad year back for some large bucks?

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I don't think I mentioned anything about large bucks..... in fact I know I didn't.

Bodden, injury prone or not, did a decent job for us.. I think it's prudent to bring him back for a look see. If he can perform,, why the heck not..

If he can't.. we've lost nothing.

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I think we all need to realize, though, that Bodden is likely going to be asking for BIG money.

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Probably maybe.. if he does and the new guys don't like him enough to pay it,, then forget about him.. But I would never advocate bringing him in for big bucks... he's not worth it.

But to bring him in at a reasonable rate,, sure, why not. No harm no foul if the price is right.

Leigh "I'm all that" Bodden is gonna want alot more $$$ than he's worth,

Good corner....average corner, I'm for bringing him back as a nickle, but Mcdonnald would be better if we sign a Veteran CB or draft Jenkins.

For the right money, sure.

I doubt he'd even want to come back to Cleveland after we traded him away. And that's if we match any other offer he might get. I see him signing 3 days into free agency for a modest contract (not with us).

I think the injuries as well as getting a big head.

I couldn't believe some of those comments in that article from him.

And I now figure I was wrong about the whole airport incident. This guy has a distorted sense of reality.

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If they bring somebody in that respects the way I play -- because I'm one of the best in the league, and if a coaching staff can respect that -- then I'll be happy anywhere."

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That leads me to believe he's going to want too much money.

I think PunchSmack is right. I doubt Bodden would choose to come back to the Browns, given that we willfully traded him away. Perhaps if we were the only offer but the fact is that Bodden is a CB who has shown some good ability in the past and corners are a valuable commodity in the league.

Someone will overpay him. I doubt it will be us.

But sweet fancy Moses, we need corner help. I think Wright will continue to improve and should stay in the starting lineup. MacDonald, though, just doesn't have it to be a starter yet. I think he still has a load of potential but he was rushed into starting this year with the injury to Holly.

Drafting a CB would be great but not with a high pick. We have young corners...they just need to develop. If we target a CB, it better be through FA.

The FA CB list is not real promising though. Asomugha ain;t gonna happen....waaaaay too huge of bucks and we're not in the right place for him yet.

My target would be Dominique Foxworth with Atlanta. Played both nickel and starting spots this year. Not great with INTs but solid cover and is only getting better. I'd bring him in and open the CB competition up....

Every player in the NFL wants "big money". It doesn't mean they are going to get it. With that in mind, if Bodden wanted to come back on a one year prove it deal, I'd welcome him back with open arms. This would give us time to develop a draft pick and he could be used as a band-aid so to speak.

I doubt it'll happen, but if his options are limited, he's worth looking at. Actually, about any free agent is worth looking at in our case.

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Every player in the NFL wants "big money". It doesn't mean they are going to get it.

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Exactly.. if nobody offers him league minimum and we offer that,, he'll come here.. (as if that's likely LOL)

Attack,
Judging CBs can be hard when they have to cover for over 20 seconds and the opposing QB is having cocktails while he looks for receivers!
But even if we use your own criteria, both of our DBs are average to good at each of the 7 criteria. McD is more physical than Wright and gives better run support but they both can cover decently. But again, judging them while the QB is taking carry out orders is asking a bit much.

I guess now that we might know who the Browns new DC is going to be (Rob Ryan), he likes big physical corners. Does Bodden fit that? I think thats what the Tampa 2 needs and he didnt fit the Tampa 2. Thats coming from his own mouth. I am sick of those big cushions.

I have never though of Bodden as being physical.

McDonald is more physical than he is.