The Patriots reportedly have started the process of cutting their roster to 75 players, as they have released safeties Josh Barrett and Ross Ventrone.
Barrett, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound defensive back out of Arizona State, played one full season with the Patriots, suiting up in five games last season (with four starts) and coming away with 17 tackles (14 total). The 27-year-old has played three seasons in the NFL, two with the Broncos and one with New England. As for Ventrone, the 25-year-old defensive back gained a small measure of fame last season because he was released and brought back on several occasions. The 5-foot-8, 195-pounder out of Villanova -- who still has practice squad eligibility -- played in eight games last season and came away with two tackles.
The news was first reported by Shalise Manza-Young of The Boston Globe. The Patriots, who currently have 83 players on their roster, need to be at 75 before the Monday afternoon deadline.
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