Bodden officially re-signs with the Patriots

Yesterday it was reported that CB Leigh Bodden had reached an agreement in principle to stay in New England. Today, it was made official. Bodden signed a 4-year deal worth $22 million, with $10 million in guaranteed money and $14 million over the first two years. The Patriots now have three of their top veteran defenders signed at least through 2013 – Bodden, Ty Warren, and Vince Wilfork (2014). Bodden should solidify the secondary and provide some veteran leadership to a young group (aside from Shawn Springs). The only other veteran leader in the secondary was S James Sanders, who did not start until the end of the season.

The Patriots also signed LB Marques Murrell. Murrell was an UFA from the Jets who entered the league as an undrafted rookie through the Redskins. He played his college ball at Appalachian State and garnered 36 sacks in his time there. He will most likely be used primarily as a special teams player.

Former Patriots DE Jarvis Green never made it out of Denver, as he was signed today to suit up for the Broncos. His deal is reportedly for 4 years and a total of $20 million. That seems a little pricey for a player who is probably best suited as your top backup on the defensive line. Green always did extremely well filling in for Richard Seymour, especially in pass-rush situations. However, when he was elevated to start when Seymour was traded to Oakland, he didn’t seem to hold up as well, especially against the run. Perhaps he will play better in Denver. Either way, I wish him the best. He was a good player here and a part of the Super Bowl teams from earlier in the last decade.

The remaining “homeless” Patriots include DE/OLB Derrick Burgess, RB Kevin Faulk, and P Chris Hanson, and TE Ben Watson. Out of that group, only Faulk and Hanson are likely to be back, and Hanson would have to be cheap in order to return. I can’t see Kevin Faulk playing for any other team than the Patriots, and I can’t see the Pats not bringing him back some time soon.