FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots claimed and were awarded LB A.J. Edds off waivers from the Miami Dolphins and signed TE Dan Gronkowski. In addition, the Patriots released CB Darius Butler and DL Gerard Warren.
Edds, 6-4, 246 pounds, was originally drafted by Miami in the fourth round (199th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Iowa. He spent his rookie season on injured reserve with a knee injury. Edds was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter at Iowa.
Gronkowski, 6-5, 255 pounds, is a veteran of two NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions (2009) and the Denver Broncos (2010). Gronkowski originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick (255th overall) of Detroit in 2009 out of Maryland. He was traded by Detroit to Denver on Sept. 4, 2010. He was released by Denver on Sept. 3, 2011. He has played in 14 NFL games with four starts and has nine receptions for 65 yards. Last season with Denver, he played in 12 games with four starts and caught eight passes for 65 yards.
Butler, 5-10, 190 pounds, was drafted by the Patriots in the second round (41st overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Connecticut. During his two seasons with New England, Butler played in 29 games with eight starts and finished with 61 total tackles and three interceptions, including one that was returned 91 yards for a touchdown in the 2009 season-finale at Houston (1/3/10).
Warren, 6-4, 325 pounds, originally joined the Patriots as a free agent on April 24, 2010. Warren entered the NFL as a first-round draft choice (3rd overall) of the Cleveland Browns in the 2001 NFL Draft out of Florida. Warren has also played for the Browns (2001-04), Denver Broncos (2005-06) and the Oakland Raiders (2007-09). During his 10 NFL seasons, he has played in 151 games with 137 starts and has registered 303 total tackles, 35.5 sacks, 18 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Last season with the Patriots, Warren played in 16 games with 10 starts and finished with 36 total tackles and 3.5 sacks.
