FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots released veteran defensive back Ike Charlton today.
Charlton, 27, was signed by the Patriots as a free agent on Feb. 16, 2005. The 5-foot-11-inch, 199-pound defensive back was originally drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech. He is a veteran of four NFL seasons, playing in 53 games with three starts for the Seahawks (2000-01), Jacksonville Jaguars (2002) and New York Giants (2003). He signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent prior to the 2004 season, but was released in the final preseason roster cutdown and spent the 2004 season out of football.
In four NFL seasons, Charlton has recorded 74 tackles (67 solo), two sacks, two interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), seven passes defensed, four forced fumbles and 10 kickoff returns for 236 yards.
