It Took Nine Years

Coach Belichick has an incredible knowledge of the players in the league. It was a small story back on April 10th when they signed free-agent DL Demione Lewis. He was the 12th selection in the first round of the 2001 draft. He spent 2001-2005 with the St Louis Rams before moving on to the Carolina Panthers for 2006-2009. He was released by the Panthers at the end of last season.

Yesterday, the team announced the signing of free-agent DL Gerrard Warren who spent the last three seasons with the Oakland Raiders before being released. He was the number three overall pick in the 2001 draft when he was selected by the Cleveland Browns. He spent four seasons with them before being traded to the Denver Broncos for the 2005 & 2006 seasons. Another trade put him with the Oakland Raiders for the last three years.

Both Lewis and Warren have been dependable starters for their respective teams throughout their careers. Coach Belichick shed some light on why he signed both players. They were part of the group of defensive linemen in the 2001 draft that included Richard Seymour. Belichick had coveted all three players before settling on Seymour. All three have lasted nine years in the league. Seymour was traded to Oakland, but Coach Belichick was able to sign two players he considered nine years ago.

They appear to have a lot of gas left in the tank and should provide considerable depth on the roster.