Gerard Warren cut by Patriots - possible pickup?

by Archibaldcrane on Sep 7, 2011 12:47 PM CDT

The 33-year old DT/DE Gerard Warren was cut today by the Patriots, who had a lot of depth at his position. He's an experienced 3-4 lineman, and seems to be the perfect experienced backup the Packers could use with a lot of question marks on the line beyond B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett. I feel this is our team's greatest weakness, and I think he could be a good stopgap until we feel confident that Neal will stay healthy for a season. If I found out we dropped a tight end in order to pick him up, I'd be pleased. Thoughts?

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I would like that...

But knowing TT, it is a very big stretch. I also am not as worried about our D line depth as some on this site.

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by Chief Oshkosh on Sep 7, 2011 1:09 PM CDT reply actions

Well, we did pickup Howard Green for similar reasons mid-season last year

so I don’t see it as outside the realm of possibility.

by Archibaldcrane on Sep 7, 2011 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions

True... but we NEEDED DL help at that point. More so than now.

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by Chief Oshkosh on Sep 7, 2011 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm skeptical

It’s not that we need bodies along our defensive line, but rather that we are looking for a certain type of production out of defensive line. Really it’s trying to find replacement for Cullen Jenkins and I doubt that this guy is it.

The main thing that Jenkins brought to the table was an inside pass rush. We need to find away to replace about 7 sacks and countless pressures. The main thing that the Pats have been lookinig for on defense is some kind of consistent pass rush. If they thought this guy could do what we would need him to do they probably wouldn’t of gotten rid of him.

by PackApologist on Sep 7, 2011 1:15 PM CDT reply actions

He did have 3.5 sacks in 10 starts last season.

He’s not a consistent pass-rusher, but then again he was a nose tackle I believe for most of his career.

by Archibaldcrane on Sep 7, 2011 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Also I think a big reason the Pats cut him

is they see him as a 3-4 only player, and the Pats will be running a lot more 4-3 this season.

by Archibaldcrane on Sep 7, 2011 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Possibly.

He’s a big body at DE who could help in situations. DL depth is a must, especially with our horrific luck with injuries.

I could see TT making the move, but not right away.

Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog
"Don't mention execution around Paul Johnson. People will die." -Chris Pendley, on EDSBS

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 7, 2011 1:34 PM CDT reply actions

agreed..

I’m sure they keep an eye on him, and maybe have even contacted his agent. I doubt they pick him up right away.

Off topic- did you see the 49ers picked up Tolzien?

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Sep 7, 2011 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Who do we cut?

Rodgers?

Michael Jordan - 6 rings

Kobe Bryant - 5 rings

The planet Saturn - 7 rings

Lebron James - a headband

I love Donald Driver.

by arodgb on Sep 7, 2011 2:38 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah that's what I was thinking

…wut?

by Archibaldcrane on Sep 7, 2011 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Nah, that Woodson guy f'ing sucks.

Cut him.

by mike_o on Sep 7, 2011 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

We could cut Driver or Grant....

/ducks

In Every Climb and Place....

I am an ass hat.

by PhoenicianPakFan on Sep 7, 2011 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions

For some reason, I can't post this here but...

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/352uwy/

by mike_o on Sep 7, 2011 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'm honored to be in a meme!

In Every Climb and Place....

I am an ass hat.

by PhoenicianPakFan on Sep 7, 2011 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions

We've got to get rid of that Clay Matthews guy

his career is too similar to Shawne Merriman’s. It’s only a matter of time before he begins to fall off.

Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog
"Don't mention execution around Paul Johnson. People will die." -Chris Pendley, on EDSBS

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 7, 2011 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Plus, didn't you hear that he does steroids?

/unsubstantiated rumor likely started by a certain Viqueen mod

by mike_o on Sep 7, 2011 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions

LOLZ

You know who we could also let go without suffering too badly? That worthless Desmond Bishop

character. What has he done for us in the playoffs?

Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog
"Don't mention execution around Paul Johnson. People will die." -Chris Pendley, on EDSBS

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 7, 2011 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions

I said in another thread - Igor Olshansky

Cut by the Cowboys because they signed a free agent and didn’t want to pay Olshansky the 3.3 million he was due.

Not a pass-rusher at all (which probably makes the odds we go after him even slimmer), but very good against the run, and 4 years younger than Warren.

Obviously, he’d need to take a MAJOR pay cut from his old contract. But since no one’s signed him yet, looks like no one is looking at him as a starter any more, which will drop down his price.

Angelo: Right….so anyways Jay, I’m sure you understand that we needed to make this move and I wanna wish you the best of luck.

Cutler: (Swoops bangs out of eyes by throwing his head back) Whatever, I don’t need this team or you.
/Leaves in a huff
//Writes bad poetry on his blog

Grossman: What the fuck is Wilford Brimley’s problem?

by Packers3485 on Sep 7, 2011 3:58 PM CDT reply actions

I'd prefer Igor to Warren too

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by Chief Oshkosh on Sep 7, 2011 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Warren

IMO we don’t need another NT type of DL. We need the 34 DE kinda guys. We already have Raji and Pickett who can both play NT. I don’t see the Packers looking at Warren. If we could get him for the vets minimum, he would be a better option/player than Green tho. So in that situation he might get a look. In the end, I think there are too many 34 teams that need a NT, so he will get picked up on waivers. If not, sign for the vets minimum and release Green. Warren is a better player…

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by Strohman on Sep 7, 2011 4:15 PM CDT reply actions

He's been playing DE for the Patriots in the 3-4

who have Wilfork as their NT. But I know what you mean, he’s a size guy over a speed guy (like we hope Mike Neal is).

by Archibaldcrane on Sep 7, 2011 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Thats right...

I got Warren mixed up w/ Wilfork. In that case, if we can get him for the vets min, I would be for it… Don’t know how he’s done the past couple years, but he was always a productive player in NE. If he is still playing at a high level, he might be able to help.

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by Strohman on Sep 7, 2011 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions

He might be a great situational guy to rotate in on rushing downs though. I don’t know might not be bad to kick the tires on him and see what he has left!

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by TrevorR on Sep 7, 2011 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions

No thanks

Stroh beat me to it here, but Warren is not a suitable replacement for Jenkins or even Neal for that matter. We have 3 NT type of guys on our roster in Raji, Pickett, and Green. So we don’t need a 4th. We need someone a little lighter and around the 300 lb range. These guys are generally quicker and can attack the edge better.

If there’s any free agent I’d be willing to take a chance on, it’s Everett Brown. He’s a former DE 1st Round Pick from Carolina. The writing was on the wall for him to be a bust there as he was undersized as a 4-3 DE. However, he has good size to be a 3-4 OLB and has a quick first step. He may be a good project for Kevin Greene and Dom Capers. He’s about the only guy I’d consider bringing in at this point unless one of our linemen go on IR, then we can talk about Warren again. Even with that said, getting Brown is highly unlikely …

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by Jabooty on Sep 7, 2011 4:43 PM CDT reply actions

Everett Brown?

DO NOT WANT.

He was a 2nd round pick, and the only thing that can be said for his career is that he has more sacks than Vernon Gholston and Aaron Maybin combined.

Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog
"Don't mention execution around Paul Johnson. People will die." -Chris Pendley, on EDSBS

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 7, 2011 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Might be worth a min salary pickup

I called for him to flop in Carolina largely because he is undersized as a 4-3 DE. However, he is at an ideal size for a 3-4 OLB and would play standing up and free from the LT, which would help him better utilize his speed. He does have a very quick first step. I’m just saying I wouldn’t mind signing him for a low salary contract and give him a chance to succeed in a system that better fits his skill set.

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by Jabooty on Sep 8, 2011 6:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Brown

Pretty sure Brown played OLB in the Carolina 43 D, not DE. And playing standing up usually makes the first step slower, especially for guys that played college DE in a 3 point stance. That said, he might be worth bringing in to put thru a workout to see how natural he looks playing standing up and in space. I don’t know that I would want to pick him up and give him a roster spot, unless he looked very good, which is unlikely, as a 34 OLB. Pick him up in the offseason, let him work thru OTA’s, minicamps and the entire offseason as a 34 OLB before giving him a roster spot.

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by Strohman on Sep 8, 2011 6:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Everette Brown

Brown played RE in Carolina. The point of him being able to stand up is it keeps him free from the OT. In other words he has a chance to keep the LT’s hands from locking into his pads. It’s kind of like Clay Matthews. No, I’m not trying to make a comparison that says Brown can ever play like him, but I highly doubt Clay would be nearly as successful as a 4-3 DE. Heck, maybe he wouldn’t be successful at all. I would very much be ok giving up Brad Jones for Brown if the price is right.

Having already received his college degree, Brown decided to forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the 2009 NFL Draft. Brown was considered "a perfect fit as a rush-linebacker in a 3-4 scheme" by ESPN′s Todd McShay

If one is really interested in pre-draft combine numbers, here’s a comparison between Brown and Matthews:

10 yard split
Brown- 1.59 sec
Matthews- 1.58 sec

20 yard split
Brown- 2.68 sec
Matthews- 2.68 sec

40 yard dash
Brown- 4.65 sec
Matthews- 4.62 sec

In no way will I ever say Brown’s performance would match Matthew’s on the field like they did at the combine. However, I am pretty confident in my words that Brown was a misfit in the 4-3. We have a chance right now to get him for nothing. It may be a great opportunity for both sides, and just think about saving the draft pick in the future…

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by Jabooty on Sep 8, 2011 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Heck, I’ll give almost anyone a shot for the vets minimum! Would like it more if he had the preseason to get used to the change though. Hard to believe he’d have much of an impact in his first year if he is switching to OLB.

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by TrevorR on Sep 8, 2011 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Browns athletic ability was well known

DIdn’t know it was the equal of Matthews, but not too surprised. I didn’t think he could play DE in the NFL either. Just too small. He’s one of the many FSU DE that was never successful in the NFL or whatever reason.

The point of him being able to stand up is it keeps him free from the OT. In other words he has a chance to keep the LT’s hands from locking into his pads.

That kinda works both ways as it gives the OT more of a chance to get to his spot to cut off the OLB. Hand play is an extremely important aspect of pass rushing. WHichever player is able gain the advantage w/ his hands is gonna win the battle. Thats why arm length is such a consideration for OT and pass rushers.

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by Strohman on Sep 8, 2011 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Warren and Brown and NO

DL and OLB are two positions where we are not particularly weak. Warren may, or may not, be a slight upgrade over Green. TT isn’t going to cut Wilson or Wynn to make room for him. It just isn’t worth it to bring in someone who doesn’t really add much, if anything, to the team.

Brown would be an interesting developmental possibility to pick up at the beginning of OTAs next year and see what he can do. But for now, who do you cut at LB to make room for someone who could make it on a bad team? I’d guess that he isn’t practice squad eligible, so he’d be dead weight to carry during the season. Meanwhile, we’d lose one of our LBs that can actually contribute now.

by MikeDB on Sep 9, 2011 11:14 AM CDT reply actions

Absolutely need O- and D-line help...

but Warren doesn’t have a lot of gas left in the tank. Not sure he would be an upgrade over what we currently have. If Belicheck dumped him, he is not a contributor. Next to TT, Belicheck knows football talent.

by DrCheese on Sep 10, 2011 9:21 PM CDT reply actions