DL Warren released; Carter to the Patriots?

On Sunday night, less than 24 hours prior to when the league’s mandatory 75-man roster goes into effect, the Patriots announce the release of 3 players:  DL Gerard Warren, S Josh Barrett, and DB Ross Ventrone.

While Barrett and Ventrone come as little surprise (Don’t worry - Ventrone will be re-signed and released another 13 times), the release of veteran DL Gerard Warren is a cause for confusion.

Sure, the defense has been a bright spot this training camp – with veterans growing into form and younger guys learning very quickly – but depth has been crucial to the Belichick era. With the release of Warren, the Patriots lose a bit of that defensive depth they've touted this offseason.

Gerard Warren has been a veteran of the Patriots defense for the past few years, providing guidance and tutelage to the many faces that have graced this roster throughout his tenure here. As the defense cultivates its image this season, it seems only necessary to keep Warren on board for the changing-of-the-guard. His leadership would’ve been crucial in keeping this young group of guys in check throughout this season. Maturity and accountability were two points that highlighted the defenses’ woes in 2009, and proved to be chronic in the following years.

There are a few directions we can take this: The Patriots released Warren as a formality to make room for another player, with the hopes of resigning him later. On the other hand, we can make the case that the departure of Warren signals a rekindling of the Patriots on-again, off-again interest in DE Andre Carter. Carter, who suffered a season-ending knee injury vs. Washington in 2011, remains one of the top defensive free agents on the market. Despite this, he has not courted much interest during the offseason and camp. Carter proved to be a staple in an otherwise lackluster 2011 defense, compiling 10 sacks in 14 games. The main issue seems to lie within his rehabilitation and whether or not he can return to form at his age. At 33, Carter is over the hill of his NFL career, and loses the leverage he once held at the negotiating table.

Despite the loss of Warren, the Patriots have many options on the roster and in free agency, and are far from going into damage control on the defensive side of the ball.