Word is out on Bodden

[RuanuLaw]

Romeo Press Conference---> http://clevelandbrowns.com/news_room/video/rmconsole.php?t=video&f=romeopresser_8_1_06.rm

For Leigh Bodden, opportunity is knocking again.

Bodden, who played well in 11 starts at cornerback after Gary Baxter's season-ending injury last year, looks like he's headed for his first opening-day start this year after Daylon McCutcheon, with whom he'd been competing for the job opposite Baxter, had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday and will likely miss at least most of August.

And Bodden, who entered the league as an undrafted rookie out of a Division I-AA non-scholarship football program at Duquesne, again finds himself in the spotlight with a chance to prove he belongs.

Bodden's play last year, when he tied for the team lead with 3 interceptions, broke up 20 passes and forced a pair of fumbles, is why the team signed him to a contract extension last December, three months before he would have been eligible to become a restricted free agent.

The word got out, and the Browns made sure Bodden couldn't.

"I do reflect sometimes on where I came from," Bodden said. "I just try to stay humble and work hard. I came from really nothing to where I am in this league, and I'm trying to get past this level now."

What the Browns know - and have known - is that Bodden is a legitimate NFL player who can run with, jump with and cover the best receivers in the game.

At least one of them even said so.

Bodden said he ran into Bengals receiver Chad Johnson in Miami during the offseason, and Johnson - one of the NFL's most colorful and confident characters - told Bodden that he'd been his toughest defender during the 2005 season.

http://clevelandbrowns.com/news_room/news/arts/5559.0.html

Even though Cutch needs surgery, there was no doubt in anybody's mind that Bodden was the bonafied starter.

I hope he can shut down more top notch receivers this year.

 

[TrueCavsFan23]

Yeah i read this earlier,i remember on sportscenter chad johnson brought out his list.He did admit it that bodden shut him down on national television.gotta give bodden credit.

 

[RuanuLaw]

His list was stupid. Only Marvin Lewis' team did that list thing. And although they got to the Playoffs...not because of the list, there was just something about the list that made it seem childish.

 

[Mac]

I love Chad Johnson, great game and his swagger isnt negative.

Bodden really has a chance to grow on this team and if we can get a decent pass rush, he will be even better.

 

[RuanuLaw]

Yes, cause a decent pass rush does wonders for the secondary.

The pressure causes the QB to sometimes overthrow, under throw, or just lob one up there. All these are the making of a Interception waiting to happen. Or at least it makes the DB job a lot easier.

I mean, look at what a decent pass rush did for Anthony Henry in 2001, He had like 10 Interceptions.

 

[MixedBag]

I love Chad Johnson, great game and his swagger isnt negative..

Chad Johnson's mouth isnt negative?

Guy doesn't bother me, but he has a big mouth and overly active ego. Very much TO jr without as much talent.

 

[crazedcav333]

Good. Cutch is just past his prime and can't line up properly for the situation given. Bodden has a chance to put up or shut up right here.

 

[Mac]

Chad Johnson's mouth isnt negative?

Guy doesn't bother me, but he has a big mouth and overly active ego. Very much TO jr without as much talent.

Chad Johnson's teammates love him, you barely ever hear anything about him being a cancer. So no, it is not negative.

He likes to celebrate touchdowns and talk a lot, but that has never affected his team.

He is NOTHING like TO, he doesnt bad mouth his team. He doesnt do crazy public stunts in disregard to his team and he is better than TO.

 

[TrueCavsFan23]

i dunno TO or chad is a close call on whos better.i would still give the edge to TO but i do love chad.

 

[MixedBag]

I think TO is a better WR. But you are correct he has yet to pull the knock your teammates crap that TO seems to thrive on.

 

[RuanuLaw]

While TO is an asshole, Chad is just a bigmouth.

 

[RuanuLaw]

Bodden's play recognized

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/football/nfl/cleveland_browns/15178375.htm

EREA - Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson was doing his thing on a national radio show a few weeks back.

``So,'' Johnson was asked, ``did anybody cover 85 in 2005?''

``One guy,'' Johnson said. ``You probably never heard of him: Lee-high Bow-den.''

The man he was referring to smiled: ``I'm going to tell him how to pronounce it this year.''

The person speaking was Browns cornerback Leigh Bodden, the only player on the list of cornerbacks Johnson keeps in his locker without a check mark.

The Bengals receiver would list the cornerback he would face the coming week and if he won the matchup, Johnson would check him off.

Bodden apparently didn't get the check mark, because in the offseason Johnson even went to Bodden privately and told Bodden he had done the best job against him of anyone.

``That's probably a big ego boost,'' Bodden said. ``But you have to stay humble.''

 

[RuanuLaw]

Bodden moves into picture

http://www.chroniclet.com/Daily%20Pages/080206sports1.html

BEREA — Leigh Bodden isn’t one to let an opportunity pass.
He earned a spot with the Browns as an undrafted free agent, then set career highs in tackles and interceptions last year in 11 starts in place of the injured Gary Baxter.
He entered this training camp in a neck-and-neck battle with Daylon McCutcheon for the starting spot opposite Baxter, but McCutcheon will miss most of the preseason following arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday.
Another opportunity Bodden plans on seizing.
“Until they take me off the field, I think it’s my job,” he said.
Bodden showed enough last season to get a four-year, $10 million contract from the Browns. Although he made a name for himself, not everyone recognizes it or can pronounce it.
Chad Johnson, the outspoken Bengals receiver, told a national radio show in the offseason that Bodden was the toughest cornerback he faced last year. The only problem: Johnson called him “Lee-high Bow-den.”
“I’m going to tell him how to pronounce it,” joked Bodden, who had three pass breakups and limited Johnson to two catches and 22 yards in a December meeting. “It was a big ego boost. I just gotta stay humble and work hard and do what I did last year.”
Bodden was inactive for three games early in 2005 in coach Romeo Crennel’s first year. But when Baxter was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, Bodden had three interceptions, 59 tackles, 20 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown.

 

[cavincali]

Chad Johnson's teammates love him, you barely ever hear anything about him being a cancer. So no, it is not negative.

He likes to celebrate touchdowns and talk a lot, but that has never affected his team.

He is NOTHING like TO, he doesnt bad mouth his team. He doesnt do crazy public stunts in disregard to his team and he is better than TO.

Bro you allways do this. Look at the way he makes his first post in the thread, he just invites somebody to disagree with him. Than he has the same ol answer. Its ok mac.

 

[Mac]

What?