I can give you some perspective as a Chiefs fan. I think overall it was a good pickup by the Pats, especially considering the cost. But I think the original poster is looking through rose covered glasses when reminiscing about Warfield’s past.
Warfield was many in a long line of safeties drafted and then converted to CB by the Chiefs. He struggled immensely his first few years and was benched by Cunningham as his play was so inconsistent. Later, he was forced into more playing time when Hasty was let go for cap reasons, and he continued to struggle. Warfield has average speed and can play decent man coverage, but struggles in zone coverage. KC Fans booed him because of his play, not his DUIs. And knowing the fans in NE, they would have booed his play as well. The reference to injuries is interesting, as it was never a real issue for Warfield. The last 3 years, he has struggled with chronic back problems, but he plays and missed only 1 game due to injury the last 5 years. The Chiefs were extremely patient with Warfield and he began to develop into a decent CB. Warfield struggles with a lapse of concentration during the game creating inconsistent play. You will watch a play or 2 quarters where Warfield will shut down a top 10 WR and think that he finally has developed, and then watch him blow coverage and give up a 70 yard TD. The big plays given up by the Chiefs last year were on Warfield. For instance, Both TDs against Buffalo were on Warfield, beaten in man coverage on both plays, the first TD should have been intercepted as the ball was underthrown allowing Warfield to catch up to the WR, but Warfield mistimed the jump and the WR came down with the ball. The 70+ yard TD against Miami was against Warfield, with safety help deep and in prevent coverage, he got turned around downfield by the WR and blew the coverage.
Again, Warfield did improve and eventually signed a decent contract for good $$, but nowhere near the money of an elite CB, yet a significant number of fans had a hard time forgetting his poor play in the past. I hope Warfield does well with NE. He has talent and experience. A definite strength IMO, would be his tackling, he is a very solid tackler for a CB, he hits with power and can deliver a shot. Not a real ball hawk, will miss interceptions through his hands, but will play the ball effectively and make some plays/INT's/TDs.
I was surprised the Chiefs cut him because it wasn’t a money issue, they never asked him to restructure, it was a performance issue. IMO, if Battle didn’t suffer the Achilles injury last year in training camp, Warfield would have been cut then.
Off the field, Warfield is a legendary partier, and is only one transgression away from a 1-year long NFL suspension. His problems have been drinking related, I am not aware of any drug issues. Hopefully that is beyond him.
Sorry for the long rant.
