BEREA -- Gerard Warren has sworn off chasing women for chasing quarterbacks.

After two disappointing and party-filled seasons in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns' jovial defensive tackle says he has cut down his carousing, trimmed his waistline and changed his lifestyle.

Warren is out to prove that he's worthy of being a top draft pick.

''I know what's expected of me, drafted with the third pick,'' said the former Florida star, taken No. 3 overall by the Browns in 2001. ''And I will say this: I haven't live up to what people expect out of me being the third pick.

''But … it's time. All I can say is, it's time.''

Fresh off the Browns' practice field during minicamp Wednesday, a sweat-soaked Warren spoke openly for more than 30 minutes about his first two seasons in Cleveland.

He was candid in describing his ways. As it turns out, ''Big Money'' was his lifestyle and his nickname.

''My first two years, I just liked to party,'' Warren said. ''All the time.''

During his rookie season, Warren pleaded guilty to a gun charge after being arrested while attending a party in Pittsburgh thrown by Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

But despite the legal problems, Warren said he barely slowed down during the off-season. He enjoyed the nightlife and some of the perks that come with being a high-paid professional athlete.

Asked where he hung out, Warren said, ''Where didn't I go?''

Along with some close friends in Florida, Warren said he went on tours of Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville and the beaches of St. Petersburg looking for fun in the sun.

''I wanted to go party and hang out with the ladies,'' he said. ''I had my good times.''

But last season, it all caught up with Warren.

His statistics dropped noticeably. He had just two sacks, recorded 24 fewer tackles than in 2001 and didn't make nearly as many big plays as he had during his first season.

''Man, I was feeling like I was 40 years old,'' Warren said. ''I was only 23 years old. I was doing things that had to change. I don't think I was as productive as I should have been and my coaches felt the same way.

''I never really found it. I couldn't find my groove.''

Warren knew exactly why. The late nights at the clubs were sapping him of energy and drive. He was overweight and frustrated.

He was acting like a boy while trying to live in a man's world.

The alarms had been sounding in his head for months, especially when the likable 6-foot-4, 320-pounder missed some off-season workouts because he was too tired.

''In the mornings we're supposed to be here at 7:30,'' he said while pretending to turn off an alarm clock. ''Snooze. Snooze. We're grown men here. It's our decision to work out or not during the offseason. That was me not disciplining myself.''

Warren claims he has changed.

''I've digressed. I cut back on the partying. I'll hang out every now and again, not three or four times a week. We'll chalk that up as a learning experience,'' he said with a laugh. ''Call that my redshirt year last season.''

In addition to being self-motivated, Warren has found other things to push him to get better.

Inside his locker, next to a photograph of his smiling goddaughter, Warren has taped up a newspaper column with the headline: ''Warren needs discipline; will Davis allow it.''

''That kind of irked me, put me in a bad place, like being molested,'' Warren said, his voice hardening as he looked at the paper. ''I'm a grown man. Coach Davis don't need to discipline me. That's to remind me every day that some people don't think you're the man you're supposed to be.

''That's what that's up there for, to remind me. That there are people up there that don't believe that I'm really that man. I'm Big Money. The man.''

Warren is excited about the upcoming season. Like him, Cleveland's defense has undergone a radical makeover. The Browns will have three new starters at linebacker.

Warren said new defensive coordinator Dave Campo has designed some schemes that will help free him up to make more plays.

After minicamp ends Thursday, Warren said he'll spend the next month before training camp starts at his mom and dad's house in Raiford, Fla.

There, he will be away from temptation and far from trouble.

''Running, lifting weights or fishing,'' he said when asked what he'll do for fun. ''That's it.''