Leigh Bodden

The New England Patriots released cornerback Leigh Bodden on Friday. Bodden, who played at Duquesne University, signed as a free agent with the Patriots in 2009 after a stint with the Cleveland Browns. The veteran cornerback saw his playing time reduced this season in favor of Kyle Arrington. Bodden played in 15 games with 14 starts in 2009 and tied for the team lead with five interceptions. He missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, but returned this year and played in five of the first six games with one start, collecting 16 total tackles.

FOXBOROUGH - No, it certainly was not a Picasso painted by the Patriots' defense in closing the regular season with yesterday's 49-21 victory over the Bills. They spotted the Bills 21 points and were helped when Buffalo lost two of its top targets when receiver Stevie Johnson (discipline) and tight end Scott Chandler (injury) missed most of the final three quarters. So besides No. 2 receiver David Nelson, Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick spent the rest of the game throwing to castoffs Derek Hagan (Dolphins, Giants, Raiders)

FOXBOROUGH -- When cornerback Leigh Bodden was a member of the Cleveland Browns (2003-2007) he got to know the Cincinnati Bengals pretty well -- and Chad Ochocinco. Over the years, Bodden said he developed a respect for the receiver and now there is plenty to learn from him as a teammate. "Anything's possible in the NFL with free agency and things like that," Bodden said. "It's a new addition and I'm just ready. I haven't been on the field, so I can't really worry about anything outside of me. I just have to worry about getting back into the flow of things.

FOXBOROUGH - No, it certainly was not a Picasso painted by the Patriots' defense in closing the regular season with yesterday's 49-21 victory over the Bills. They spotted the Bills 21 points and were helped when Buffalo lost two of its top targets when receiver Stevie Johnson (discipline) and tight end Scott Chandler (injury) missed most of the final three quarters. So besides No. 2 receiver David Nelson, Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick spent the rest of the game throwing to castoffs Derek Hagan (Dolphins, Giants, Raiders)

thinks Leigh Bodden still has something left.

By Zuri Berry, Globe Staff The Patriots have confirmed earlier reports and officially announced the release of cornerback Leigh Bodden. In addition to Bodden's release, the team also announced it has re-signed DB Josh Victorian to the practice squad and released DB Malcolm Williams from the practice squad. The Globe's Greg A. Bedard takes a look at what Bodden's release means to the team.

FOXBOROUGH - The injury Patriots cornerback Jonathan Wilhite suffered before Sunday’s game that resulted in him being inactive seems to revolve around an incident at his home Sunday morning. According to a report by the Providence Journal, North Attleborough police are investigating an incident involving a Patriots player and a home invasion. Wilhite’s agent, Jason Chayut, would not confirm Wilhite’s home was broken into, but he told the Globe that the incident is a police matter.

FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots, who have made more than their share of surprising roster moves under Bill Belichick, made yet another yesterday, releasing cornerback Leigh Bodden. The 30-year-old, nine-year veteran, who came to New England as a free agent in 2009, had played in five of six games this season, recording 17 tackles and four pass breakups. The news that Bodden had been released broke moments before Belichick stepped to the podium for his final news conference before tomorrow's game in Pittsburgh, but he was not talking about the...

FOXBOROUGH - Leigh Bodden laughed before intercepting the notion of numerical significance like he would a quarterback's pass. Bodden, part of the Patriots' offseason overhaul at cornerback, has been assigned No. 23, one higher than the No. 22 that belonged to Asante Samuel. Twenty-three is greater than 22. "Hey, that's your words, not mine," said Bodden after a recent organized team activity practice. Bodden wore No. 28 for the first six seasons of his NFL career, five with the Browns and last season with the Lions.

FOXBOROUGH - If there is one fact that shows just how much the Patriots secondary has changed in a year, it might be this: On the opening week of last season, they started Ellis Hobbs, Lewis Sanders, James Sanders, and Rodney Harrison in their defensive backfield. Three of those players are no longer with the Patriots, and one hardly sees the field anymore. The Patriots reconstructed their secondary in the offseason, a process that is succeeding while still evolving as the season chugs toward the midway point.

FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots, who have made more than their share of surprising roster moves under Bill Belichick, made yet another yesterday, releasing cornerback Leigh Bodden. The 30-year-old, nine-year veteran, who came to New England as a free agent in 2009, had played in five of six games this season, recording 17 tackles and four pass breakups. The news that Bodden had been released broke moments before Belichick stepped to the podium for his final news conference before tomorrow's game in Pittsburgh, but he was not talking about the cornerback, saying at the time there were no...

By Zuri Berry, Globe Staff The Patriots have confirmed earlier reports and officially announced the release of cornerback Leigh Bodden. In addition to Bodden's release, the team also announced it has re-signed DB Josh Victorian to the practice squad and released DB Malcolm Williams from the practice squad. The Globe's Greg A. Bedard takes a look at what Bodden's release means to the team.

thinks Leigh Bodden still has something left.

The New England Patriots released cornerback Leigh Bodden on Friday. Bodden, who played at Duquesne University, signed as a free agent with the Patriots in 2009 after a stint with the Cleveland Browns. The veteran cornerback saw his playing time reduced this season in favor of Kyle Arrington. Bodden played in 15 games with 14 starts in 2009 and tied for the team lead with five interceptions. He missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, but returned this year and played in five of the first six games with one start, collecting 16 total...

By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff We posted our five keys for the Patriots to beat the Raiders before the game. How well did they pull them off in the 31-19 victory? Let's take a look. Key #1: Make the Raiders beat you with the pass What we said : " Oakland is multi-faceted in the running game with the explosive Darren McFadden, tough inside running from Michael Bush, and the fast change-of-pace back Taiwan Jones. That's where they want to live. Make them eat someplace else with QB Jason Campbell, who is good but not capable of carrying a team for four...

FOXBOROUGH -- Cornerback Leigh Bodden said his thumb injury isn't going to change his approach on the field. Bodden fully participated in practice yesterday and today, bandaging his thumb before he took the field. "My legs are fine. My arms are fine, so I can do everything a football player needs to do to get ready for a football game," he said. Bodden missed last season with a shoulder injury and has been working to return to the field full time. "Things like that happen but all I can do is look forward and look to do...

FOXBOROUGH — It was a familiar sight for training camp observers: the Patriots’ first-team offense opposite the first-team defense in the red zone, often in the shadow of the goal line. Some days, the defense would carry the morning, and the offense had the edge in the afternoon. But every day, the Patriots made sure to focus on one of their larger flaws from the 2009 season: performance inside the 20-yard line. The numbers bear out the need for attention. The Patriots ranked seventh in the AFC and 13th in the NFL in red zone offense, scoring 34 touchdowns in 65 opportunities, converting at...

The Patriots locked up one key to their future yesterday, but also cut one more tie to their illustrious past. Welcome back, Leigh Bodden. Goodbye, Jarvis Green. Bodden signed a four-year contract to remain with the Patriots, a deal announced by agent Alvin Keels via his Twitter page. The contract has a maximum value of $22 million and guarantees the 28-year-old cornerback $10 million. Meanwhile, Green inked a four-year deal with the Broncos with a maximum value of close to $20 million, including nearly $7 million in guaranteed money.