Leigh Bodden: New England Patriots May Have Another Pro Bowl CB

Leigh Bodden has taken a very unlikely road in order to land himself in what may be the perfect place to resurrect his career: New England.

Bodden is by no means a small defensive back, standing at 6'1" and 195-pounds. He has the ideal size for a conerback in the NFL.

After playing college football in Duquesne, where he was an All-American as a junior and finished with 28 career interceptions, Bodden was passed up by every NFL team during the 2003 draft.

Bodden's phone rang shortly after the draft, and it was the Cleveland Browns on the other end offering him a undrafted rookie free agent contract.

Bodden accepted.

He made the Browns' roster based on his excellent special teams play and his ability to play slot receivers as a nickel cornerback.

In 2003, Bodden played in 13 of the Browns' games, recording one interception.

His special teams play progressed in 2004, leading the Browns in special teams tackles with 18, but in Week 8 he sustained a biceps injury that kept him out for the rest of the season.

Once recovered from his injury, Bodden was more focused than ever during his recovery, and pushed himself to the limit during rehab so that he could come back and be an even better player than he was in his first two seasons as a pro.

The hard work paid off in 2005, when Bodden became the Browns' starting cornerback by impressing both new head coach Romeo Crennel and new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

During 2005, despite missing three games due to injuries, Bodden had a breakthrough season. He recorded 47 tackles, 17 passes defended, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles, earning him a four-year contract extension.

Injuries continued to plague Bodden in 2006, when he only played in nine games.

Bodden's best statistical year came in 2007, when he stayed away from the injury bug for the first time in professional career and started all 16 games.

He finished 2007 with 76 tackles, 15 passes defended, and six interceptions, but that didn't come without some drama.

Before the 2007 season began, Bodden was arrested at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport for illegally parking his vehicle and resisting arrest. He pleaded not guilty and was released after paying $1,000.

Bodden made a public apology and didn't receive any suspensions for the incident.

After 2007, the Browns cut their ties with Bodden. They packaged him and a draft pick in a trade with the Detroit Lions for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.

In 2008, Bodden was again able to stay healthy for the entire season. The Lions didn't favor Bodden's abilities after one year, and cut him in February of 2009.

After looking for a new team for almost a month, Bodden was offered a one-year deal to sign with the New England Patriots.

The matching up of Bodden with the Pats is a perfect scenario. He already has some knowledge of the defensive scheme that the Pats run from his time playing under former Pats defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel with the Browns.

With a rebuilding secondary, Bodden has the chance to once again get back to his 2007 form and have another break-out year in 2009.

Already pegged as a starter, Bodden will be playing for a team that has a history of taking players and making them into Pro Bowlers.

The Pats have already said that they gave too much cushion to opposing receivers last year, and that they need to play more press.

Bodden said (regarding press coverage), "We have been working on re-routing receivers throughout training camp. There is no way better way to stop a really good receiver than to disrupt the timing of his route."

The Pats may be taking a chance on Bodden due to his injury past, but if he works out, then look for a big year from the seventh-year player.