Defensive end Ty Warren is in his fourth season with the Patriots after being selected by the team in the first round (13th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. The six-foot-five inch, 300-pounder is enjoying the best campaign of his career in 2006 with 74 tackles and 3.5 sacks through the first 11 games. Ty and his wife Kesha are also very active in the community, having established a non-profit foundation called "First and Goal" this past offseason. Among their many projects, the couple has furnished their hometown Boys and Girls Club with game tables and also teamed up with Reebok to design and manufacture jerseys for participants.
Warren sat down with us to answer some questions about his life both on and off the football field.
FAVORITES
What is your favorite movie? I would have to say Paid in Full with Wood Harris. It was a different part for him to play. I'm also a big fan of Training Day with Denzel Washington.
What was your favorite subject in school when you were growing up? Probably Math because it was a strong subject for me.
What is your favorite video game? A boxing game called Fight Night for Playstation 2. Roy Jones Jr. is on the cover. I'm really not a big video game player. I played Fight Night one day in Best Buy and I ended up liking it.
Who is your favorite athlete to watch? I'm a big fan of LeBron James. He can do it all.
What is your favorite meal after a long practice? I don't prefer any specific type of food, but I can eat a horse after practice.
Where is your favorite place to relax? The basement of my house. I have an entertainment area where I watch movies. I also have a pool table and a workout room down there. It is basically my little apartment. I go down there as soon as I get home from the facility.
What is your favorite thing about training camp? I enjoy it because all the guys are here. Some guys do practical jokes and make fun of each other. I like the camaraderie that occurs with the team.
OFF THE FIELD
When you were growing up, who was the player you pretended to be while playing in backyard football games? I liked Reggie White, but you know how every big kid wants to play a skill position.
Who is the best-dressed player in this locker room? That's an easy one. I'll go with myself.
Of the community activities you have been involved with, which one touched you the most? I visited the Shrine Hospital in California while I was taking part in an all-star game coming out of high school. I visited some of the younger kids from low-income homes that couldn't afford hospitalization. It was a touching experience. I have also had the chance to visit kids out here at the Mass General Children's Hospital.
What is one thing that you have never been able to do? Roller coasters. I'm kind of scared of heights. Flying in airplanes is a different deal because you are enclosed. On a coaster you are exposed and your body is going every which way. I'm not a big fan of that. I went to Six Flags and it wasn't my place.
Who is the one player on this football team that can always make you laugh? There are a lot of them. Junior Seau and Mike Vrabel are a pretty fun combination.
What is the toughest thing about you that your wife has to put up with? That's a good one. I would say when I nibble on her cooking before she is done.
ON THE FIELD
Do you remember the recipient of your hardest tackle? In college, I put a few big hits on Lee Suggs of Virginia Tech and Tatum Bell of Oklahoma State. The hardest hit I had in the NFL was on Larry Johnson in 2005.
Which player or coach have you learned the most from in your career? From a life skills aspect, it would be Coach Slocum at Texas A&M. My high school coach Sam Smith was very influential as well.
What is the biggest difference between being a rookie and being a veteran? You know what to expect and you get to spend the entire offseason with the players and coaches. Plus, I am a little more familiar with the plays and playbook. I'm also in a lot better shape because of the offseason conditioning program.
Is there a specific player you watch on film to learn new techniques and moves? Right now, I'm just watching myself. I'm trying to see what I'm doing right and wrong. I really can't compare myself to another person right now because what is comfortable for one person, may not be comfortable for another.
THIS OR THAT
Use the phone or drop an e-mail? I usually drop a text message.
Go to the movie theater or watch the DVD? DVD because I can kick back on the couch. It's the best seat in the house.
Better wrestler: Hulk Hogan or Junkyard Dog? Hulk Hogan. I liked him before he turned bad.
Which game would you rather attend: Celtics or Red Sox? Both. I love the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry. I will go to a Celtics game regardless of who they play because my wife loves basketball.
College Football BCS or playoff format? BCS because everyone gets to play in a game.
Playstation 2 or X-Box? I will go with the PSP.
JUST FOR FUN
If you were playing in a basketball tournament and the game was on the line, which teammate would you least like to take the last shot? Asante Samuel. He can't shoot.
If this team had an arm wrestling tournament, who would walk away with the championship? Probably Vince Wilfork.
If you could only invite three celebrities to a party, who would they be? Jay-Z because I like his music. Sanaa Lathan from the movie Out of Time. Finally, I'll go with Wood Harris.
If you could change one rule in the NFL, what would it be? Roughing the passer. I think they are a little sensitive with that.
