Gerard Warren Back in the Fold

by Greg Knopping on Aug 8, 2011 6:31 PM EDT in New England Patriots News

In just over 24 hours, the Patriots have gone from well-stocked along to the defensive line, to absolutely overloaded. The latest Patriots addition? The team has re-signed defensive lineman Gerard Warren to a one year deal.

Warren initially signed with the Patriots last offseason one a one year contract. When Ty Warren went down for the season, Gerard stepped up and was inserted into the starting line-up. Warren played all over the Patriots line, seeing time at nose tackle, left end, and right end, with most of his playing time coming at the latter position.

As a right end, the 33 year old mammoth recorded 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks. His ability to put pressure on the quarterback and stuff the run was a nice bonus for a team that was depleted along the defensive line.

Of course, the team is no longer depleted along the defensive line with the additions of Warren, Albert Haynesworth, Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter, and Mark Anderson since the beginning of training camp. So, by no means is Warren guaranteed a roster spot. However, I could see Warren competing with players such as Ron Brace, Kyle Love, or Myron Pryor for one or two roster spots.

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I like the signing

If he plays like he did last year, he’s a keeper.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 8, 2011 6:51 PM EDT reply actions

If nothing else, competition at camp is going to be fierce in the front seven.

That’s never a bad thing.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 8, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

It can only make us better in the end

I like it a lot

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Aug 8, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Good signing

It makes our depth great..if (and when) injuries come along, it should really help to have that caliber of player on the roster

by JAAJ on Aug 8, 2011 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

Fat albert is gonna be able to stop a nose bleed I guess bill took it real personal when bart said that we couldnt stop a nose bleed now I dont think we will have any issues stopin anyone much less a nose bleed

by alweezy61 on Aug 8, 2011 7:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

After Mr. Haynesworth has his way with the Jets offense

I think it’s much more likely he’s going to CAUSE a few nose bleeds.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Aug 8, 2011 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

BB not messing around

this year. Incredible depth on the d-line right now! This does mean somebody’s got to go. Could be Warren, could be Brace or Deaderick, or even Anderson. Intriguing story line’s going forward.

by furiousd on Aug 8, 2011 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

Quick Question

Is there a limit to the number of players a team is allowed to place on PUP? It seems as though the Patriots have a lot quality players and having a longer period of time to evaluate their ability would seem ideal.

by Always Sunny Next Year on Aug 8, 2011 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

Not exactly sure about the number....

…but the interesting part of the rule is that a player must be on the Active PuP list, in order to get on the PuP list . So, any player that has practiced, is ineligible for the PUP list.
If my info is accurate, that means only Ron Brace and Brandon Deaderick can be placed on the Reserve Pup list, unless there are any other players that haven’t practiced yet

by furiousd on Aug 8, 2011 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I like this take from

Mr. Scratch over at ESPN Boston forum:
“They gave one of the greatest minds in the history of football 3 months to do nothing but sit around and scheme. This isn’t fly by the seat of your pants. He knows what he wants and is looking to fit the pieces to the puzzle and has the cap room and maneuverability to do it.”

by furiousd on Aug 8, 2011 8:02 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Agreed.

I was saying that the whole lockout. I must have annoyed my dad and other Patriots fans I talk to by constantly saying “You know, this is almost giving an unfair advantage to Belichick. Other coaches are out fishing, golfing, sleeping later; you know, being human? Belichick has probably locked himself in his bunker under Gillette and spent 18 hours a day watching film, and has, in his mind, created the perfect team. We’re going to be signing the most random guys once the lockout ends, but Belichick knows exactly what he wants from each of them.”

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Aug 8, 2011 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs

rec'd for "locked himself in his bunker under Gillette."

i’m still laughing.

"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park

by 808BostonSportsFan on Aug 8, 2011 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I think of all the young players.

Kyle Love is pretty safe. If Myron Pryor can get healthy, he’ll probably make the roster too.. But Ron Brace, Brandon Deaderick, Eric Moore and other youngsters (I know Moore isn’t that young) have been put on notice.

Vince Wilfork
Albert Haynesworth
Shaun Ellis
Mark Anderson
Andre Carter
Gerard Warren
Mike Wright
Kyle Love
Myron Pryor
Jermaine Cunningham

Are in the drivers seat to make the roster, in my eyes. And we probably won’t carry 10 defensive lineman.

by beantownboy171 on Aug 8, 2011 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

10 would be the absolute max, I'd imagine

Love and Pryor might be fighting for the same spot, since I feel like they played sort of the same role last season.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Aug 8, 2011 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I think BB is thinking switching schemes

No more 3-4… not even a 4-3…I think we are going to a 9-1 with a safety deep. We have enough D linemen for it.

by BenCoatesFTW on Aug 8, 2011 8:04 PM EDT reply actions

Well, we'd beat the 2000 Ravens record for run defense, that's for sure.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Aug 8, 2011 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions

The fun thing will be watching how the 280lb 'outside' guys cover the WRs

Basically that 5 yard bump zone will be the “knock ’em cold to the ground” zone …

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Aug 9, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Of all the injuries this summer, the player i'm most worried about is

Mike Wright. Still having lingering effects of the concussion he suffered last year. Sure, a lot of the information is being kept behind closed doors, and he might be back on the field tomorrow for all I know. But I could also see him being placed on IR once the roster gets cut down to 75.

by beantownboy171 on Aug 8, 2011 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

I didn't know he was still having effects...

….has that been confirmed?

by furiousd on Aug 8, 2011 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe it was just speculation that I read.

Because when I looked for a source, i found this.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view/2011_0731at_long_last_things_feel_wright/

by beantownboy171 on Aug 8, 2011 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

It's a concern, for sure.

But every player is one hit away from the end of their career.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 9, 2011 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, hello, Captain Optimism!

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 9, 2011 4:41 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

probable reason why so many people not practicing

“Due to the abrupt transition from the lockout to training camp, hamstring injuries have popped up across the Patriots’ locker room, and it’s certainly not limited to Gillette Stadium.”

of course a few players not playing like Haynesworth is precautionary

by prioris on Aug 8, 2011 8:55 PM EDT reply actions

From Colt's page :

the other ‘viable rumor’ hovering out there is that the Colts will sign another loud-mouthed wideout who, like Owens, is known more for his penchant for creating unnecessary distractions than his tremendous talent.

    Sorry, but there’s no way, notwithstanding a few minor blips, that Moss will ever be known more for his distractions than his talent. When he goes into the Hall of Fame, will it be because he is better known for his "penchant for creating unnecessary distractions, or rather his tremendous talent? Yeah, I think the latter.
    Look, we all know Moss could have been more mature, but we also know that a lot of that was overblown media hype,and that is New England, teammates lauded him as a leader and one of the hardest workers in practice. I do hope he doesn’t sign with the Colts(just a rumour), they don’t deserve him.

by furiousd on Aug 8, 2011 10:09 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, the qoute was talking about Randy

by furiousd on Aug 8, 2011 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Randy deserves more respect than that

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 8, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't expect it from him.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 9, 2011 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Looks like BB has a good problem

He has both veteran and young talent on the D-Line. One of the injured lineman will probably start the season on PUP. I think Brace is on the list. One of the rookie DE (M. Carter is my choice) will be on the practice squad.

I have the same birthday as Tom Brady.

by freeland1787 on Aug 9, 2011 6:28 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I love this signing.

Injuries hit our defensive line very hard last year, and therefore we couldn’t have too much depth this year.

With Wilfork, Brace, Wright, Deaderick, Pryor, Love, and G. Warren all returning plus the additions of Ellis and Haynesworth, we look to be very formidable up front.

I can’t wait to see who’ll be starting, who’ll be playing where, who’s playing in the subpackages etc. We have a lot of talent on this line now, and I’m anxious to see how it’ll all get used.

by UtopianAverage on Aug 9, 2011 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

Just wondering what the plan here is for hte Pats D-Line?

All these signings are making it really cloudy. My gut tells me that some of these vets are probably camp bodies and if they outperfomr expectations will stay (Mark Anderson), while some are legit.

My guess is that Haynesworth and Ellis are definites to make the team, and maybe Andre Carter, but Warren/Anderson are gonna have to beat out Brace/Pryor/Love. Isn’t this too many people to keep all of them, or am I just way off base and the Pats plan on having 12 d-lineman.

EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!

by dmstorm22 on Aug 10, 2011 1:01 AM EDT reply actions

I believe all of your assertions are dead on.

With the exception of Ellis, I wouldn’t consider him a lock.

by Oughat on Aug 10, 2011 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Brace and Pryor are still PUPed.

Love might not fit schematically, since he’s pretty much a pure NT. But the “4-3 switch” isn’t happening anyway. At least, we’re not turning into the Vikings.

So inside it will probably be 6 or 7 guys: Wilfork, Haynesworth, Ellis, Wright, Warren and… Pryor or Love, maybe both, with Brace PUP and then IR (or cut).

5 Outside: Cunningham’s a lock. Andre Carter should make it, he’s a definite upgrade for Moore. So that’s Moore and Anderson and fighting for that 3rd DE/OLB spot, and Markell Carter and Ninkovich will still have a locker (5 ILBs being Mayo, Spikes, Guyton, Fletcher and a ST “linebacker”, maybe Lavarius since he gives another OLB/DE body).

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 10, 2011 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions

And if we're all guessing,

plus the local and national media are all guessing… that means other coaches and teams are guessing too. Not a bad strategy.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 10, 2011 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions

BB making changes

I’ve never seen BB make some many changes this quickly. No doubt about the talent on the DL and both Haynesworth (if healthy) and Ellis can be a huge impact with Anderson and Carter still in maybe category. Carter probably has the most upside and Anderson hasn’t done that much since a terrific rookie year. Starting to really wonder about Ron Brace and whether or not the Pats have given up on him. Earth to Ron…you have to start playing football NOW! A little surprised to see Warren back but it may be a signal that Wright may not be able to return and play.

by Richard Flynn on Aug 10, 2011 10:24 AM EDT reply actions