Leigh Bodden Released

by Leein3D on Feb 9, 2009 3:52 PM CST

According to Rotoworld.com, the Lions released Leigh Bodden today.

Bodden is only 27 years old and didn't play well in Detroit. However, apparently he's more of a press coverage corner, and Detroit was running a Tampa 2 scheme (or at least I think they were, considering Marinelli was the head coach) that doesn't play to his strengths.

Do you think he could be a free agent target for us? If Dunta Robinson doesn't get signed, I think he would be. And I also think he'd be a decent fit here for a nice midlevel contract similar to Reeves'.

What say you?

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I say yes!!

I agree in full and I know Reeves was picked on quite a few, but I think he a good coverage guy. He was there on every play just never turned his head to play the ball. Leigh if I’m not mistaken wasnt bad either, signing him to mid-level contract would be good not costly and give us depth at the position.

by houstonbola on Feb 9, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions

Depends

On what kind of money Bodden would take. If it was a low guarantee deal filled with incentives, I’d be all for it. Giving him the kind of guaranteed money that Jacques Reeves got, however? I’ll pass.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Feb 9, 2009 4:33 PM CST reply actions

Didn't Frenchy Only Get

$8 million guaranteed? That’s not horrible over 5 seasons, especially considering half of that was a signing bonus. So in essence, we’re paying him at least $4 million over the next 4 years. That’s not too bad considering he looks to at least be a solid contributor for 2009.

by Leein3D on Feb 9, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions

Re: Frenchy's Guarantee

I believe you’re right about the amount. Perhaps this makes me a hater, but I think that’s several million too much for a guy who, for whatever reason, has not shown any inclination that he can locate the football when it’s in the air.

It’s great and all that he can stay stride for stride with any WR in the league, but for that kind of money, I want a DB who can fulfill the other 50% of the job description as well.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Feb 9, 2009 7:48 PM CST up reply actions

You don't think his ball-finding improved slowly over the season?

I think it did… but I wouldn’t expect much more than we’ve already gotten.

That said, if our damn pass rush gets better, Frenchy might suddenly look average.

Chris - www.HoustonDiehards.com

by HoustonDiehards on Feb 10, 2009 12:58 AM CST up reply actions

He did lead the team in picks.

Which leads me to believe hee can find the ball just fine, and even catch it, so long as it’s not a deep pass where he has to turn whilst in stride. Give the secondary a competent pass rush and Frenchy just might turn out to be pretty good.

by Leein3D on Feb 10, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions

Improved Over The Course Of The Season?

Yes. But would you consider Reeves a good CB? Even average? Because I don’t think I would.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Feb 10, 2009 9:19 PM CST up reply actions

Frenchy is 26 years old & has spent 5 full years in the league

He started 13 games for Dallas in ’07. I think he started every game for us last year and he was horrible in the first half, but got noticeably better in the 2nd half. Certainly not to the level of a Good CB, but approaching Average I would say. The question is “Can he build on the 2nd half of last year, improve his ball instincts and become a decent starting CB?”. I wish I knew. Part of me says he can, but part of me remembers all the times he was running stride for stride with a WR and never turned his head or even raised his arms. I would be more comfortable with Frenchy as the nickel or even dime, but with front 7 needs more pressing on D, we may not be able to add a CB good enough to bump him. Bennett showed flashes last year, and Molden never really got a chance. Certainly Fred will be given the chance to compete, and if Molden heals quickly he could be in the mix as well.

by oiler-texan diehard on Feb 10, 2009 10:07 PM CST up reply actions

"Bennett showed flashes last year"

…and was one of the best CBs in all of football over the second half of 2007. I think it’s a pretty safe bet to go ahead and call Bennett better than Frenchy.

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Feb 11, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

Did he show flashes?

Because all I remember from Bennett is him falling down anytime a receiver made a cut. He was absolutely atrocious last year.

by Leein3D on Feb 11, 2009 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

He had a very nice INT in the win at Cleveland where he jumped a short slant in route

The play was in the red zone and was big. Unfortunately his overall play was not good. After the 2nd half of ’07 we were all expecting much more. I still have hope for him.

As for Frenchy, I thought more about him after I made that comment last night and I remembered a key play in the Tennessee game at Reliant. Titans are going for it on 4th and 3, deciding against the field goal into the wind, Collins throws it deep to Frenchy’s side of the field. Typically Frenchy is not beaten badly, but the receiver had a half a step, and if not for an overthrown pass we may lose the game. Collins was the key reason we won that game. He was horrible that day, missing receivers repeatedly. I think I may be giving Frenchy too much benefit and not enough doubt. We are better off if we do not rely on him as a starting CB opposite Dunta, but can we fix that, and still upgrade the front 7 also? Quality front 7 can compensate for an average secondary, and right now it looks like that will be our offseson focus, AFTER signing Dunta.

by oiler-texan diehard on Feb 11, 2009 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

I would call him average

He was able to jump a few routes, and made some heads up plays on tipped passes that he picked as well. He wasn’t a liability in run support, which I feared would be a possibility. His short to intermediate coverage was decent, and his deep coverage improved over the course of the year. Keep working with him to locate the ball on those deep routes and he’ll be an above average corner.

by Leein3D on Feb 11, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions