By Mary Paoletti
CSNNE.com Staff ReporterFollow @mary_paoletti
The Patriots don't need the roster cut to 53 until Saturday, but they got a head start on the process by releasing eight players Friday.
Wide receiver Buddy Farnham, center Jonathan Compas, running back Richard Medlin, linebacker Ricky Brown, defensive tackle Darryl Richard, tight end Carson Butler, and offensive linemen Mike Berry and Corey Woods were let go. The Pats still need to release 19 more players by Saturday's 4 p.m. deadline.
Both Farnham and Medlin have practice squad eligibility and could return in that capacity. Farnham played several snaps this preseason and on both sides of the ball. A middling receiver (six catches, 48 yards), Farnham is most memorable this year for recording a Week 1 interception at safety. He's been signed and released by the Patriots twice before.
Medlin was signed as a rookie free agent on August 3. He had 20 carries for 66 yards.
Compas got work in all four preseason games on the offensive line.
Richard was selected by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. As a rookie he was relegated to the practice squad. Last season a foot injury kept him on injured reserve.
New England Patriots
Mary Paoletti can be reached at mpaoletti@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Mary on Twitter at http:twitter.comMary_Paoletti