BY DAVID HEIM
Less than two weeks ahead of the start of free agency, the player movement has begun.
The New England Patriots are set to release veteran safety Steve Gregory Friday, according to his agent, David Canter.
His release opens up just under $3 million in cap space for the team, which could lead to a possible T.J. Ward-type signing in the coming weeks. In-house options for his starting job include veteran Adrian Wilson and second-year defensive back Duron Harmon.
Gregory, who signed a three-year deal worth $7.05 million back in March 2012, accumulated 116 tackles for the Pats in the past two seasons.
Patriots fans will remember Gregory largely for his role in the infamous “buttfumble” play against the New York Jet Jets back on Thanksgiving 2012 when he returned a Mark Sanchez gaffe for a touchdown.
Regardless of what New England decides to do at the position, the cap space Gregory took up was deemed more valuable than the player himself.
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