Patriots: Defensive Re-enforcements Arrive

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

John Rooke, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

For all of the talk about the Patriots’ offense over the past couple of years, it looks as if the defense is finally ready to take the stage.

Or at least, grab a big share of the spotlight.

The makeover of the New England defensive unit continues with the addition of a new face, a familiar face, and a one-time-not-so-friendly face. The Patriots officially announced the signing of defensive end Andre Carter, a 10-year NFL veteran who played with the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins. The 6-4, 255 pounder out of California had his best season with the 49ers in 2002 with 12.5 sacks, and after signing as a free agent with the Redskins, had 11 more in 2009.

Good start. But wait – there’s more.

The Patriots also made the Shaun Ellis signing official on Monday, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with the Patriots after spending his 11 previous NFL seasons with the New York Jets. The two-time Pro Bowler will reportedly earn a $4 million salary for this season, and could earn another $1 million in incentives, should he reach them during the year, according to ESPN’s John Clayton.

But to go from the Jets, to the Patriots? One rival to another? Even his former coach Rex Ryan couldn’t wish him well in remarks made on Sunday. “The fact that he chose them, and all that, I think I said before, there's no way I'm going to wish him well,” Ryan said. “There's no chance of that. “I wish him to be healthy, but I don't want him to play that well.”

“It’s good. You know, it feels like home,” Ellis said Monday. “It feels like a place that’s all about winning, like they have been. I’m just happy to be a part of it. It’s just the same – I’m just on the other side now. (There were) definitely a lot of battles over the years and I’m a Patriot now and I’m happy to be a Patriot and I’m just ready to get started.”

The familiar face added to the mix on the suddenly revamped defensive line was with the team last season. Gerard Warren was officially re-signed on Monday, as a veteran free agent. Warren moved into a starting role on the line last season at left end after Ty Warren was lost for the year with a hip injury. “It’s something we planned on for awhile. We delayed it here for a few days because we wanted to really – we felt it was the right timing.” Bill Belichick said prior to Monday’s practice. “He did a lot of good things for us last year. A veteran player that I thought handled himself very well on the team. So we’ll add him to the group.”

In case you’ve lost count…and it has been a struggle to keep up with all of the moves…this brings the tote board to 21 defensive linemen currently in training camp, while the overall roster is now at the NFL-mandated 90 man limit. The Patriots waived safety Brendan McGowan in order to get back to the limit, after signing Warren. You’re right if you think the competition could be good – it already is. And it’s something that Belichick expects. “Like I said with Gerard, this really has been something we had agreed to do earlier, today just happened to be the day for it,” the coach explained. “I think Shaun (Ellis) and Andre (Carter) are both good players. We’re trying to always add as many good players are we can to the team. The best ones will play and the ones that don’t play as well will play a little bit less. That’s just competition. We’re always looking for competition at every position and I think we have good competition on this team.”

That might be the understatement of training camp. Competition on the defensive front, a position in which the Patriots sorely lacked an effective pass rush a season ago, might become a distant memory if the competition as it currently stands pans out. Defensive end looked like a thin spot just a few days ago. Add to the mix the acquisition of Mark Anderson over the weekend, plus Eric Moore and Jermaine Cunningham who began camp as the de facto starters, and the move to bring in Albert Haynesworth at tackle?

Let’s just say for now, at the very least, the defense might need a bigger spotlight.

Training Camp Notes

Andre Carter has apparently been schooled in the “Patriot Way” of saying things, because he started out with the right ones. “It’s all about the opportunity,” Carter said. “It’s all about one team and one goal and that’s to go out there and grind day by day. The journey is never easy but you just have to find a way to get it done. One thing Coach Belichick knew is how hard I worked, bringing me here, they’re going to try to take advantage of how hard I work…I’m just going to put my hand in the dirt and go.”

Shaun Ellis admitted to feeling, at least, a little weird about heading north. “I’ve just been fortunate enough to play 11 years with the Jets,” Ellis said. “I had a great time, a great experience. It’s just one of those things when it’s time to move on, you have to move on. I’ve found a new home here and guys have welcomed me in. I was kind of a little hesitant at first, a little weird feelings, but once I got in here they made me feel like a weapon. Is it easy? Yeah it is.” And what did he once think about the Patriots – when he was wearing the Jets’ green and white? “After 11 years, it’s a team that was always the top of the division, still is today. Me playing against them for 11 years, of course you built up a little kind of hatred toward the Patriots over the 11 years. I understand what it takes to be champion and they’ve been doing it and I have been wanting to feel that feeling for however long so hopefully the time has come.”

Monday’s practice was interrupted by a significant downpour, but the majority of fans remained hearty and stayed to watch through the final drop. Naturally, it didn’t affect the players on the field at all…prior to the rain, which came about an hour into the 2 ½ hour session, was the “hit of the day.” Courtesy of defensive tackle Kyle Love, Love smacked rookie running back Stevan Ridley at the line of scrimmage during an 11-on-11 session that wasn’t necessarily designed for full contact. It was anything but “sweet nothings” in Ridley’s ear…the “catch of the day” came from tight end Aaron Hernandez, who continues to provide impressive moments at almost every practice session. Monday, in another 11-on-11 drill, Hernandez made a spectacular one-handed grab of a Tom Brady pass, over his shoulder, beating a defenseless Gary Guyton on the play. It rated a “wow” from several observers…

Albert Haynesworth was not on the practice field again on Monday, which could be considered a cause for concern. But it isn’t, at least not with the team. Haynesworth was in good enough shape to pass his physical and his conditioning test when he arrived, and it’s more likely his absence on the field is due to maintaining overall health for the long haul…as reported here over the weekend, the injury toll is beginning to mount. 12 players were counted on the sidelines during Monday’s practice, in shorts and t-shirts, including Shaun Ellis. He is not, however, considered one of the injured…Mike Wright, Brandon Spikes, Ron Brace and Brandon Deaderick were among the “shirt and shorts” brigade…and tight end Rob Gronkowski, along with linemen Dan Connolly and Chris Morris, were banged up during practice…

Training Camp Schedule
Tuesday
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Patriots Experience open to the public
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm Training camp open to the public

Wednesday
10:00 am – 11:15 am Practice inside Gillette Stadium (open to the public)
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Patriots Experience

Thursday
7:30 pm Kickoff vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Ellis photo courtesy: NYJets.com