Patriots rise to top, Bodden does too
Now this is the Patriots “D” fans expect to see on the field.
After the New England defense fizzled late in the game last week against the Indianapolis Colts, the Patriots took advantage of rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, intercepting the former USC star four times in a 31-14 win against the Jets at Foxboro Sunday.
New England corner Leigh Bodden accounted for three of Sanchez’s four picks, returning the first one back 53-yards for the Patriots first score.
Bodden, a 6′1′, 198 pound veteran in his seventh year, is not new to the highlight reel.
At Duquesne - a private catholic college out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and division II football program- Bodden broke and currently still holds nearly every interception record, totaling 28 interceptions overall.
In 2002 - his senior season - he was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference defensive player of the year, all according to his bio on the Patriot’s web site.
He went undrafted in 2003 but was picked up as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns, where he played there for five years under then head coach Romeo Crennel (Patriots connection, check-mark).
For the Browns, Bodden totaled 12 interceptions - six alone in 2007.
Bodden then played a year for the Detroit Lions, where he recorded just one pick, but did total 72 tackles.
A free agent in the off-season again, Bodden signed a one-year deal for New England this year and after Sunday’s performance against New York, has five picks currently on the season.
Bodden is another example of how well the New England organization finds talent.
After a 2008 season that saw the Patriots defense struggle, especially in the secondary, Bodden’s arrival has added a presence that the opposing coaches have to account for.
| Check out the newest New England Patriots gear and tickets here. |