Lions cutting Bodden (1 Viewer)

[Anthony Borbely]

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Leigh Bodden headed out; the Lions are to blame

by Tom Kowalski | Opinion

Wednesday February 04, 2009, 5:30 PM

There are going to be a lot of reasons given as to why the Detroit Lions informed cornerback Leigh Bodden that he won't be back with the team next year, as reported by The Detroit News today.

There will be the roster bonus (which was huge), his performance (which was mediocre) and his postseason comments (which were the final nail in the coffin).

All of these are legitimate reasons why Bodden won't return, but the real blame for this failure belongs squarely on the shoulders of the Lions.

Bodden was acquired in the trade that sent Shaun Rogers to the Cleveland Browns and it appeared to be a great deal at the time. In addition to a draft pick, the Lions were beefing up their thin secondary with an up-and-coming player such as Bodden.

Former coach Rod Marinelli and defensive coordinator Joe Barry, though, completely mishandled the situation.

Bodden is a brash and confident young player who thrives on success, but the Lions messed with his head from the very beginning.

Marinelli's custom of having new players "earn'' starting positions was ridiculous -- and that's been pointed out many times in this blog. It was especially foolish in the case of Bodden, who was a three-year starter with the Browns and had six interceptions the previous season.

Still, Bodden was delegated as a No. 2 cornerback behind Travis Fisher for the entire training camp and preseason. It was embarrassing to Bodden.

The Lions plunged the dagger in even deeper when they made Fisher the starter for the season opener in Atlanta. Bodden quickly entered the game when Fisher gave up some big plays, but the damage was done.

During the season, the Lions -- after making an even bigger mistake by signing Brian Kelly -- switched Bodden over to Kelly's spot on the left side of the defense. It's a move that Bodden resisted, but the Lions didn't want to hear about it.

Now, you can't have players running the locker room and while the coaches have to be the ultimate authority, there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with young players and their egos.

There never was a discussion with Bodden about why or any attempt to appease his feelings. Bodden didn't feel as comfortable on the left side but the Lions didn't care. Bodden came into Detroit with a lot of promise and he was treated like a second-class citizen every step of the way and his performance reflected it.

Bodden is due an $8.6 million roster bonus on Feb. 27 and that's one of the reasons he will be cut loose. The Lions can't officially make the move until Monday.

The biggest reason for Bodden's departure, though, is because he's damaged goods.

He was a player who might have been able to help turn the team around but he was so disgusted that after the team ended its 0-16 season, Bodden said this about his future: "I want to play football. I don't care where I'm at.''

 

[stevegamer]

I don't really have much of a problem with his postseason comments. He wants to play football. He was acquired in a trade for a starter theoretically to be a starter.

He's not your normal "damaged goods" - he's clearly not happy going 0-16, and being a reserve when he had alredy proven he could play in the league. I am pretty much giving any and all Lions a pass for their attitude problems, if any.

I expect him to re-sign with the Browns, quite possibly.

 

[MAC_32]

I expect him to re-sign with the Browns, quite possibly.

At the price he'll command? No thanks. We need corner help, obviously, but our money's better spent elsewhere. He's the same over rated below average corner he was when we dealt him the first time.

 

[bcr8f]

I expect him to re-sign with the Browns, quite possibly.

At the price he'll command? No thanks. We need corner help, obviously, but our money's better spent elsewhere. He's the same over rated below average corner he was when we dealt him the first time.

Below average? I don't think so. If you spend money on players keep them away from the Cleveland Clinic.

 

[MAC_32]

I expect him to re-sign with the Browns, quite possibly.

At the price he'll command? No thanks. We need corner help, obviously, but our money's better spent elsewhere. He's the same over rated below average corner he was when we dealt him the first time.

Below average? I don't think so. If you spend money on players keep them away from the Cleveland Clinic.

Oh, you're one of those. I don't have a leg to stand on in this debate so I'll bring up the Browns and their never ending string of staph infections. Good for you.Bodden's all potential and no game, he'll burn his next team much like he burned the Lions, I'm sure.

 

[stevegamer]

I expect him to re-sign with the Browns, quite possibly.

At the price he'll command? No thanks. We need corner help, obviously, but our money's better spent elsewhere. He's the same over rated below average corner he was when we dealt him the first time.

Don't know what the market will be for him. I'd figure he'd be happy to leave Detroit and return to where he had success.

 

[Holland Freeze]

Bodden's all potential and no game, he'll burn his next team much like he burned the Lions, I'm sure.

I would tend to agree with you. My impression was that he was an up and down performer who came on strong enough at the end of his time with Cleveland to garner some attention. He did not help the Lions so I am not looking for the Lions to now have to help him by throwing additional money away. He will land on his feet and may have a decent season if he plays with a chip on his shoulder but I would suspect he remains inconsistent longterm.

 

[northern exposure]

I expect him to re-sign with the Browns, quite possibly.

At the price he'll command? No thanks. We need corner help, obviously, but our money's better spent elsewhere. He's the same over rated below average corner he was when we dealt him the first time.

Below average? I don't think so. If you spend money on players keep them away from the Cleveland Clinic.

Oh, you're one of those. I don't have a leg to stand on in this debate so I'll bring up the Browns and their never ending string of staph infections. Good for you.Bodden's all potential and no game, he'll burn his next team much like he burned the Lions, I'm sure.

Wasn't at least part of the problem in Detroit the defensive scheme Bodden was asked to play in? Booden seems to play well in press coverage , but looked sorta lost in Marinelli's zone scheme. If he signs with a team that suits his talents he should be alright. I'm not saying he'll be a star, but he is only 27 and can get the job done.

 

[MAC_32]

I expect him to re-sign with the Browns, quite possibly.

At the price he'll command? No thanks. We need corner help, obviously, but our money's better spent elsewhere. He's the same over rated below average corner he was when we dealt him the first time.

Below average? I don't think so. If you spend money on players keep them away from the Cleveland Clinic.

Oh, you're one of those. I don't have a leg to stand on in this debate so I'll bring up the Browns and their never ending string of staph infections. Good for you.Bodden's all potential and no game, he'll burn his next team much like he burned the Lions, I'm sure.

Wasn't at least part of the problem in Detroit the defensive scheme Bodden was asked to play in? Booden seems to play well in press coverage , but looked sorta lost in Marinelli's zone scheme. If he signs with a team that suits his talents he should be alright. I'm not saying he'll be a star, but he is only 27 and can get the job done.

He was never as good as scouts made him out to be in Cleveland. He'd benefit from a better pass rush, most corners would, but there's a reason opposing DC's continuously targetted the guy Bodden was covering on 3rd downs in Cleveland, that guy beat Bodden 9 times out of 10. Incredibly frustrating to watch, knowing exactly where the ball was going before it was even snapped.He ended up not being a good fit in the cover 2, but in a scheme that utilizes him in more press coverage situations he's not much better. He's a decent #2, at best, and in all likelihood he'll be paid like a #1 and underwhelm at his next stop like he did at his previous two.