What a rush

Three years removed from the University of Florida, where he had 9 1/2 sacks in 35 career games, Warren was hoping to have many such days as that one in Denver.

Now, in his 10th year in the league and on his fourth team — after stops in Cleveland (2001-04), Denver (2005-06), and Oakland (2007-09) — Warren couldn’t be blamed for being unable to recall his first multi-sack game after recording his second last Sunday in the Patriots’ 28-14 loss to the Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium. It had been that long ago.

Talk about your seven-year itch.

“Such a gap,’’ said Warren, who had two sacks of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. “You look forward to those days and you hope to have many more.’’

But, such a gap, indeed.

A two-gap end in the Patriots’ 3-4 scheme, the 6-foot-4-inch, 325-pound Warren was brought aboard to add a veteran presence to a defensive front that had seen the departure of Jarvis Green (signed as a free agent by Denver, then released) and then experienced the loss of Ty Warren (on injured reserve with a hip injury).

Gerard Warren was thrust into an expanded role to help plug the gap left by Ty Warren.

“I just came in and worked hard and tried to make this team,’’ Gerard said. “That was my main goal and focus when I first got here: find a way to contribute. I guess with my size, I figured I could play at one of the end spots.’’

But in a starting role?

“Everybody sees themselves in a starting role,’’ Warren said. “I just wanted to come in and earn my rights.’’

He did that and more, earning the respect of his fellow linemen with the two sacks for 16 yards against the Jets, which was something of a rarity for a two-gapping lineman in Bill Belichick’s defense.

“That’s tough,’’ said nose tackle Vince Wilfork. “That’s pretty tough. Gerard did it and that was pretty exciting, because I remember our numbers from last year were kind of down, from a defensive line standpoint and as a defensive unit, with sacks and pressures. So he can contribute.’’

But it took some adjustment for Warren, who was accustomed to playing in a 4-3 scheme in Oakland.