Former Cleveland Browns DL Gerard Warren Released by Patriots

It may come as a surprise to some, but former Cleveland Browns draft pick Gerard Warren is entering his 11th year in the NFL. The third overall pick in 2001 by the Browns, Warren never truly lived up to his lofty expectations – the “Big Money” nickname didn’t help matters – but he has managed to carve out a decent career in the league, hopping around from the Browns to the Denver Broncos to the Oakland Raiders and, most recently, to the New England Patriots.

However, the Patriots released Warren on Wednesday, which came as a surprise to many people. After all, he was part of the team’s rotation on the defensive line and had a solid camp. There is a chance, though, that Warren could find himself back on the Patriots’ roster sometime this season. The 33-year-old veteran’s salary would have been guaranteed if he was on the roster for the first week of the season.

Warren signed with New England as a free agent in 2010, playing in all 16 games and starting ten. He made 28 tackles and had 3 1/2 sacks.