It might be hard to envision that a cornerback released by the woeful Lions could emerge as the successor to Samuel, but Bodden's body of work, his experience playing for former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel in Cleveland for three seasons, and his early play in OTAs belies what happened in Detroit last season.
"Leigh is a [heck] of a football player," said Patriots linebacker Paris Lenon, a teammate of Bodden's last season on the 0-16 Lions. "I think he's in kind of a similar situation to myself. I'm just really hungry, you know. I can't speak for him, but I anticipate he feels the same way. What happened last year is in the past, but it still kind of gnaws at you a bit."
On their way to NFL ignominy - the first 0-16 season in league history - the Lions had a league-low four interceptions and only one by a defensive back - belonging to Bodden. The 27-year-old Bodden, who also forced three fumbles, was more a victim of the Lions' toothless Tampa-2 scheme than his own decline in play in Detroit.
With 13 career interceptions, Bodden knows people question which part was a fluke, him only intercepting one pass last season or coming down with 11 interceptions his final three seasons in Cleveland, including a career-high six in 2007, the same number Samuel had on his way to the Pro Bowl that season.
"You know, I can't really stress about what everybody else thinks," Bodden said. "I can only do what I can. I was fortunate enough to be able to sign with another team, another team saw that I could bring something to the table, and I'm just fortunate and happy that it was the New England Patriots. Now is no time to look back. I've just got to look forward and can't worry about what people think about last year."
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