By: Tom Rowe

Since 2003, DE Ty Warren has been one of the Patriots great contributors during the Belichick era. Now after surprising acquisitions by the Team of the Decade, Warren is now looking for a new home; or is he? Warren along with veterans Alge Crumpler, Nick Kazcur, and Tully Banta-Cain were cut this morning by the Organizations with very little explanation other than making a new turn to win the Super Bowl. According to reports, Warren had failed his physical this season keeping him from officially joining the roster. TY had just recently recovered from a liberal tear in his hip that forced him to miss the entire 2010 season. Without Warren the Patriots went 14-2 and were the number 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs, but suffered on both passing and running defense ranking in the bottom half of the league.
Warren’s contract may have something to do with his release or that he simply wasn’t in Belichick’s plans for the season. We’ve seen Bill cut guys unexpectedly before a season just because he didn’t feel that player would help the team (prime example: Lawyer Milloy in 2003). But that is hard to justify when Warren, though does not live up to the $7+ million per year contract he was cut from, has been a part of one of the most feared defensive lines in the late 2000’s and has the third highest sack total on the Patriots from 2004 on (20.5 for his Pats’ career).
Though players like Kazcur and Banta-Cain will not return to the Patriots, but it has to be thought that Ty Warren’s services will be back before the season starts. His contributions cannot go unrecognized, but this could be a way of restructuring his contract or this simply is showing fans and players that the defense will be relying on newly acquired DT Albert Haynesworth more than originally thought. Warren has a lot to say about his new, yet troubled, teammate yesterday. But when asked about the reasons he believes what caused Bill to pull the plug on number 94 he stated “I have nothing but respect for bill and Mr. Kraft, but I feel I’m not and never was in their plans for this season and I look forward to doing bigger and better things”. Haynesworth just went from being cornered by the organization to holding all the leverage he needs to gain his “comfortably”. Whatever the reason, I have always appreciated Warren’s service as a player and a New England Patriot. He fit the role as a True Patriot and showed great leadership, determination, and respect for all he played for and against. Let’s hope we can say the same for Big Albert Haynesworth after his service is over.

The Patriots traveled to Atlanta to face Matt Ryan and the Falcons.  The Falcons are coming off a year in which they missed the playoffs and had many injuries.  The Falcons have many weapons on offense and would put some pressure on the young Patriots defense.  As I mentioned in the last post, the Pats have showed some swagger and look like they have something to prove with each snap.

Game two welcomed backed Wes Welker to the offense and Tom Brady threw to him right away.  Welker finished with 2 catches for 20 yards.  It was a dropped pass that made him feel like he was back; he took a hard hit as he was going down.  As many players say, it’s that first big hit that makes you feel back in the game.  Brady continued to impress, 10/12, 84 yards, and a TD.  He did take a big hit in which he fumbled but the Pats recovered.  Second year backup Brian Hoyer looked good as well, 8/15, 94 yards and a TD as well.

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