Patriots Re-Sign Gerard Warren, Release Brandon McGowan

Tying up some loose ends at Patriots training camp, they officially released safety Brandon McGowan and re-signed defensive lineman Gerard Warren.

From Patriots.com
Warren, 6-4, 325 pounds, originally joined the Patriots as a free agent on April 24, 2010. Warren entered the NFL as a first round draft choice (3rd overall) of the Cleveland Browns in the 2001 NFL Draft out of Florida. Warren has played for the Browns (2001-04), Denver Broncos (2005-06) and the Oakland Raiders (2007-09). During his 10 NFL seasons, he has played in 151 games with 137 starts and has registered 303 total tackles, 35.5 sacks, 18 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

Last season with the Patriots, Warren played in 16 games with 10 starts and finished with 36 total tackles and 3.5 sacks.

McGowan, 5-11 210 pounds, joined the Patriots in 2009 as a veteran of four NFL seasons, all with the Chicago Bears (2005-2008). He was re-signed by the Patriots on July 30, 2011. Originally signed by the Bears as a rookie free agent in 2005 out of Maine, McGowan missed all of the 2010 season with a chest injury.

In his first season with the Patriots in 2009, McGowan saw action in a career-high 16 games with 11 starting assignments at free safety and set career-highs with 66 total tackles, 10 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

As I said last night, it was expected that McGowan would be shown the door. Likewise, it's not surprising that Gerard Warren was invited back. He had a decent season last year and most importantly, with a year in the fold he's good insurance should one of the newer defensive linemen get hurt or not play well.

Also, some information on Shaun Ellis' contract came out today as New England announced his signing along with Andre Carter. It's a one-year deal and he'll make $4 million this season with another $1 million in performance incentives. Terms of Carter's were not yet disclosed.

An interesting tidbit is that the Patriots now have 22 defensive lineman on the team and they've reached the limit for their roster (90 players). In other words, expect a million more moves in the next few weeks.

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Patriots Keep Making Moves, Set to Sign Andre Carter

This is the most unique time in NFL history since the entire league year has been condensed into a much shorter amount of the calendar.

After signing defensive end Mark Anderson on Friday and defensive tackle Shaun Ellis earlier on Sunday, reports surfaced on Sunday night that the New England Patriots had signed another piece to its defensive line: free agent defensive end Andre Carter.

Welcome to 2011 where Carter announced the news on his Twitter page (@mr_carter99) saying "I am proud to announce that I will be playing for the New England Patriots for the 2011 season. Thanks you for your prayers and support."

With that simple message, the Pats have picked up another player that could potentially play a big role. Now New England's lack of a pass rusher in its 2011 draft class or earlier in free agency doesn't look so bad huh?

Out of the University of California, Carter is 32-years-old and a former first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers. After five seasons in the Bay (2001-05), he's spent the last five seasons with the Washington Redskins (2006-10) so needless to say, he's probably looking forward to playing for a team that's not terrible and/or a complete mess.

Much like Ellis, one of Carter's greatest assets seems to be his durability. In his 10 NFL seasons, he's played in all 16 games seven times (including the last six seasons). He must have been seriously hurt in 2004 because he only played seven games but other than that, he's played 15 in two others and 16 in the rest.

In 149 career games including 133 starts, Carter has amassed 442 total tackles (340 solo, 102 assists), 66.0 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He's been in double-digits for sacks three times: 12.5 in 2002 with San Francisco, 10.5 in 2007 with Washington and 11.0 in 2009 in Washington.

Bill Belichick can talk all he wants about how the defensive alignment isn't important but these recent moves (coupled with the addition of Albert Haynesworth) seems to underline the fact that the Patriots will be playing more 4-3 this season than 3-4. With that in mind, Carter is more of a natural fit in a 4-3 in a outside linebacker/defensive end role.

Best of all, these pickups mean that Jermaine Cunningham can get more time to adjust to the rigors of the NFL entering his second season while Eric Moore won't be counted on as much as he was down the stretch last season.

There's also sources saying that New England will release safety Brandon McGowan on Monday. Stay tuned to see if that actually happens.

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Kevin Faulk Re-Signs With Patriots Along With Brandon McGowan & Tracy White

When Kevin Faulk tore his ACL in last year's annual Week 2 Super Bowl against the Jets, many thought that his career would be over. Losing Faulk was devastating at the time, as Lawrence Maroney had just been traded and Danny Woodhead had not yet joined the club.

After an extended off-season, it appears as if Faulk will be back with the team for his 12th season, adding to the Patriots depth at the running back position while maintaining his position as a leader in the locker room.

Faulk gives the Patriots more options both in the running game as well as the kicking game but we will see how his knee injury affects his playing time.

He is part of a backfield that features BenJarvis Green-Ellis (who is a RFA), Woodhead, Sammy Morris, Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley. Faulk will still have to prove that he is in playing shape and will fight for a roster spot. Like Tedy Bruschi in 2009, if Faulk can't go, I think he retires as a Patriot. However if Faulk can be what he was before the knee injury, I think that Sammy Morris may be the odd man out. He's only good for six games a year anyway.

More importantly, with the release of Ty Warren and Tully Banta-Cain, Faulk is one of the few remaining Patriots that has been with the organization since the Super Bowl days. His veteran presence in the locker room can not be overstated, especially with the addition of Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco.

It should be an interesting camp for Faulk. He is a fan favorite and one of the most clutch performers in franchise history. Let's hope that he has one more run left in him.

Also, late tonight the Patriots resigned safety Brandon McGowan and linebacker Tracy White while releasing rookie linebacker Anthony Leonard.

McGowan missed all of 2010 with a chest injury but he came out of nowhere in 2009 to appear in all 16 games (starting 11) as he made a career-high 66 tackles, 10 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. If he's healthy, he has some value as a backup safety and on special teams.

Speaking of special teams, that's where you'll find White. Last season was his first in Foxborough and he finished second on the team with 18 special teams tackles (tying his career-high). With a full season under his belt, he should be a key part of the special teams this season but then again, those guys come and go like nothing else so he could be out of a job in a few weeks. We shall see.

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