FOXBORO, Mass. — If nothing else, safety Ross Ventrone is one of the most mentally resilient players in the NFL.
The Patriots released Ventrone on Thursday, and he's gotten used to this. It's the seventh time they've cut him since he originally signed with the team in April 2010.
This was also the 17th time he's been involved in a roster transaction during his year and a half in New England. Eleven of those transactions have happened since Aug. 10.
Ventrone appeared in four games this season, primarily on special teams. He worked on the scout team last week as Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
Ventrone discussed his status in roster limbo last month and said the Patriots have kept an open line of communication with him each time.
"I know how things work here and everything," Ventrone said. "Just around the league, transactions like that happen all the time. I know the numbers issue and everything. I'm prepared for anything anyway. I'm prepared to play every week. Whatever they need me to do, I'm ready for. I don't take anything like a shock now. It's just that I have to be ready at any time is how I look at it. I feel like I'm a part of this team, so I'm hoping every time they do [release me], they feel that they do want me back at some point or however they do. I want to help in whatever way I can. I just look at it as, 'just prepare.' I can't even control any of that anyway, so I don't even try to worry about it."
