Pats Pulpit - New England Patriots 2016 roster breakdownPats Pulpit: A New England Patriots Communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51321/pp-fav.png2016-08-17T09:00:05-04:00http://www.patspulpit.com/rss/stream/114998252016-08-17T09:00:05-04:002016-08-17T09:00:05-04:00Patriots roster breakdown: DT Vincent Valentine
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<figcaption>Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Will the rookie see regular playing time on a crowded defensive tackle depth chart?</p> <p id="1YXgKb">The New England Patriots‘ 2016 training camp is underway. Players fight for practice repetitions and playing time to earn one of the 53 spots on the roster. They have until late August, when each team has to start making its roster cuts, to secure a role.</p>
<p id="oklHwe">Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. Today, we’ll continue the series with rookie defensive tackle Vincent Valentine.</p>
<p id="1D4i27"><strong>Name:</strong> Vincent Valentine</p>
<p id="k3lYIZ"><strong>Position:</strong> Defensive tackle</p>
<p id="tqgule"><strong>Jersey number:</strong> 99</p>
<p id="wIvxJh"><strong>Age:</strong> 22</p>
<p id="z5srAs"><strong>Experience:</strong> Rookie</p>
<p id="PHp2I1"><strong>Size:</strong> 6’3, 320 lbs.</p>
<p id="Bg8c3w"><strong>2015 review:</strong> After a very good 2014 sophomore season, expectations for Valentine were high entering his junior campaign with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. However, he failed to live up to them as he was slowed by an ankle injury throughout the season.</p>
<p id="GSKLkW">While he still appeared in 10 games – starting seven –, his statistics were not as good as they were the previous two years. Valentine finished the season with 10 tackles, although four of them were for loss, 3.0 sacks and one quarterback hurry.</p>
<p id="dV8y7R">The injury was one reason for his statistical decline, a coaching change that brought a different defensive philosophy – one that suits Valentine’s style of playing less – was another. Still, despite 2015 not being his best year, Valentine decided to forgo his redshirt senior year and enter the NFL. The Patriots drafted him with their fourth overall selection, near the end of round three (pick #96).</p>
<p id="6RqMiN"><strong>2016 preview:</strong> At 6’3, 320 lbs., Valentine is one of the bigger defensive tackles on the roster – and arguably <a href="http://www.patspulpit.com/2016/5/3/11576046/2016-nfl-draft-rookie-dt-vincent-valentine-might-be-the-strongest">the strongest</a>. Given his frame, the roster lock (due to his draft status), might see most of his playing time as a member of the team’s short yardage and goal line defense as well as on punt and kick blocking teams. However, it might be tough for him to regularly crack the defensive tackle rotation.</p>
<p id="mIcEmx">After all, Malcom Brown is a shoo-in to play a vast majority of early down snaps at one interior spot, with veterans Alan Branch and Terrance Knighton projected to see time at the other. Valentine might substitute in every now and then to keep all four tackles as fresh as possible, but it would not be a surprise to see his defensive playing time limited his rookie year.</p>
<p id="tQPQDM">Still, the 22-year old is a prime candidate to succeed Branch and/or Knighton on the interior in the future as he has the talent to become a contributor; especially considering New England’s controlling style of playing defense. 2016 might not yet be the year he does that on a regular basis, but it is the foundation upon which to build by honing his technique and learning the defensive playbook.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" id="frLzvc">---</p>
<p id="rKgNEQ">While he is a raw defensive tackle, Vincent Valentine is an intriguing athlete whose skill set should translate well to what the Patriots do on defense. While he might be able to show this in flashes his rookie season, he projects to be the number four defensive tackle on the roster and accordingly see only minor playing time – at least in 2016.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2016/8/17/12504238/new-england-patriots-roster-breakdown-99-dt-vincent-valentineBernd Buchmasser2016-08-16T09:00:07-04:002016-08-16T09:00:07-04:00Patriots roster breakdown: DE Trey Flowers
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<img alt="NFL: Preseason-New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZNxquNifK7BelcwlfLAjKWz-jaA=/571x222:3381x2095/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50405243/usa-today-9450223.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>If Flowers can translate his preseason success to the regular season, he will be fun to watch.</p> <p id="1YXgKb">The New England Patriots‘ 2016 training camp is underway. Players fight for practice repetitions and playing time to earn one of the 53 spots on the roster. They have until late August, when each team has to start making its roster cuts, to secure a role.</p>
<p id="oklHwe">Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. Today, we’ll continue the series with defensive end Trey Flowers.</p>
<p id="1D4i27"><strong>Name:</strong> Trey Flowers</p>
<p id="k3lYIZ"><strong>Position:</strong> Defensive end</p>
<p id="tqgule"><strong>Jersey number:</strong> 98</p>
<p id="wIvxJh"><strong>Age:</strong> 23</p>
<p id="z5srAs"><strong>Experience:</strong> 1</p>
<p id="PHp2I1"><strong>Size:</strong> 6’2, 265 lbs.</p>
<p id="Bg8c3w"><strong>2015 review:</strong> The Patriots selected Flowers with the 101st pick of the 2015 NFL draft. With the team deep on the defensive edge, the Arkansas product saw only minimal playing time in his first season in New England as his rookie year was essentially a redshirt campaign. He was active for one game and played a mere four snaps (all on defense). Flowers did not register any stats and was placed on injured reserve on December 1st.</p>
<p id="ZQAew4">The fourth-round rookie did see a lot of playing time during the preseason, though, when he was New England's most active defensive end. He registered 11 tackles (three of which for loss), one sack, three quarterback hits and one defensed pass. In short: despite being hampered by a shoulder injury he suffered in the first preseason game, Flowers was able to flash his potential.</p>
<p id="6RqMiN"><strong>2016 preview:</strong> Flowers currently – particularly with Rob Ninkovich having to deal with a triceps injury – projects to be a vital member of New England’s rotation on the defensive edge. He has played this role in the Patriots’ first preseason game, when he was the first defensive end off the bench, and was a standout performer. The 23-year old finished with five tackles, two quarterback hits and a touchdown on a strip sack and return.</p>
<p id="WuMIvu">Against second- and third-stringers, Flowers has been productive in both pass and run defense. However, he will have to do it against better players in the future to consistently see playing time and have an impact this season. If he is able to do that and can build upon his first game since October 2015, New England has found itself another depth option on the defensive edge. This, in turn, would allow the team to play it safe with Ninkovich while simultaneously being able to lessen the workload of Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" id="frLzvc">---</p>
<p id="Vkh6bV">Trey Flowers has been able to flash his potential in the 2015 preseason. He also has been able to flash his potential in the 2016 preseason. Hopefully for the Patriots, the 23-year old can continue his growth – unlike last season – and further strengthens his claim for a spot on New England’s defensive end rotation.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2016/8/16/12499100/new-england-patriots-roster-breakdown-98-de-trey-flowersBernd Buchmasser2016-08-15T09:00:03-04:002016-08-15T09:00:03-04:00Patriots roster breakdown: DT Alan Branch
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<img alt="Divisional Playoffs - Baltimore Ravens v New England Patriots" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B7v8Tjm7QSQeUfRA_u5rxauvQMw=/0x40:1848x1272/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50324545/461285242.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>After another good year, Branch will return as a core member of the interior defensive line.</p> <p id="1YXgKb">The New England Patriots‘ 2016 training camp is underway. Players fight for practice repetitions and playing time to earn one of the 53 spots on the roster. They have until late August, when each team has to start making its roster cuts, to secure a role.</p>
<p id="oklHwe">Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. Today, we’ll continue the series with defensive tackle Alan Branch.</p>
<p id="1D4i27"><strong>Name:</strong> Alan Branch</p>
<p id="k3lYIZ"><strong>Position:</strong> Defensive tackle</p>
<p id="tqgule"><strong>Jersey number:</strong> 97</p>
<p id="wIvxJh"><strong>Age:</strong> 31</p>
<p id="z5srAs"><strong>Experience:</strong> 9</p>
<p id="PHp2I1"><strong>Size:</strong> 6’6, 350 lbs.</p>
<p id="ZQAew4"><strong>2015 review:</strong> Following their Super Bowl XLIX victory and two days into free agency, the Patriots re-signed Alan Branch to a 2-year, $6.6 million contract. The veteran went on to become New England’s number two defensive tackle in terms of playing time – playing 505 of a possible 1,249 snaps (40.4%) – and arguably number one in terms of consistent performance.</p>
<p id="dcgu0u">Branch appeared in all 18 of the Patriots’ 2015 games as the starter alongside first-round rookie Malcom Brown. The behemoth defensive tackle finished the year with 41 tackles, nine of which run stuffs. He did not only play well against the run, but was also a good pass defender. Branch registered 2.0 sacks, two quarterback hits and three pressures, while adding two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.</p>
<p id="3nkWb3">In short: the veteran was once again a valuable member of New England’s defense. Therefore, it was no surprise to see the team pick up the second-year option of his contract to ensure that Branch would stay in Foxboro for another year.</p>
<p id="6RqMiN"><strong>2016 preview:</strong> Picking up the contract option does not guarantee that Branch will be on the Patriots’ 2016 roster. However, he is as close to a lock to join Malcom Brown and Vincent Valentine – plus probably Terrance Knighton – as the team’s defensive tackles as there is. After all, he has the athletic abilities and the familiarity with New England’s scheme to highly likely beat out any possible contestants for his roster spot.</p>
<p id="GtxPJO">Therefore, Branch is projected to return as the team’s starter alongside Brown, and one of its most heavily used defensive tackles. While the acquisitions of Knighton and Valentine might ultimately decrease his overall snap numbers, he is still projected to play around 35% of the team’s defensive snaps as a player whose skill-set allows him to be successful on three downs.</p>
<p id="rujrdv">Even though Branch skipped voluntary offseason workouts (just like last year) and started training camp on the Non-Football Injury list (just like last year), he will likely play a key role on New England’s defensive line in 2016. Just like last year.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" id="frLzvc">---</p>
<p id="KAPeCk">Alan Branch has quietly been a really good acquisition since he joined the Patriots as a free agent in October 2014. The 31-year old has developed into a steady and productive member of New England’s defense and is expected to continue serving in this capacity in 2016 as well.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2016/8/15/12403750/new-england-patriots-roster-breakdown-97-dt-alan-branchBernd Buchmasser2016-08-14T09:00:03-04:002016-08-14T09:00:03-04:00Patriots roster breakdown: DT Terrance Knighton
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<img alt="NFL: St. Louis Rams at Washington Redskins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WJvhNlKXNzUHRiFzQGrVMnLBFQ4=/0x239:1775x1422/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50323807/usa-today-8858416.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Will the big veteran have a big impact in his first year in Foxboro?</p> <p id="1YXgKb">The New England Patriots‘ 2016 training camp is underway. Players fight for practice repetitions and playing time to earn one of the 53 spots on the roster. They have until late August, when each team has to start making its roster cuts, to secure a role.</p>
<p id="oklHwe">Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. Today, we’ll continue the series with defensive tackle Terrance Knighton.</p>
<p id="1D4i27"><strong>Name:</strong> Terrance Knighton</p>
<p id="r7JIf5"><strong>Position:</strong> Defensive tackle</p>
<p id="tqgule"><strong>Jersey number:</strong> 96</p>
<p id="wIvxJh"><strong>Age:</strong> 30</p>
<p id="z5srAs"><strong>Experience:</strong> 7</p>
<p id="PHp2I1"><strong>Size:</strong> 6’3, 355 lbs.</p>
<p id="ZQAew4"><strong>2015 review:</strong> Knighton signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins in March 2015. Over the course of the offseason, he became a fixture on the team’s defensive line as the nose tackle in Washington’s 3-4 defense. As such, Knighton was active for 16 of the team’s 17 games, missing one because of a migraine.</p>
<p id="0gL0fs">Overall, the veteran was on the field 35.5% of the time, playing 402 of Washington’s 1,133 defensive snaps. Knighton saw the vast majority of his playing time on first and second down, working primarily as a run stuffer with only limited pass rushing responsibilities. However, the veteran defensive lineman was still able to register 1.5 sacks to go along with his 30 tackles.</p>
<p id="6RqMiN"><strong>2016 preview:</strong> Washington did not extend Knighton before the end of his contract, so he became an unrestricted free agent in March. By the end of the month, Knighton and the Patriots agreed to a 1-year, $1.75 million contract. Given that "only" $250,000 of the deal are guaranteed and the New England could therefore let go of the veteran without too big of a cap hit, Knighton is no surefire lock to make the team.</p>
<p id="GcV0EH">However, his chances of earning a spot on the 53-man roster are very good. After all, Knighton is one of the most talented and experienced defensive linemen on the Patriots and has the skill-set to be used as both a 3-4 nose tackle and a 4-3 defensive tackle. If he performs well enough during training camp and is able to adapt to New England’s two-gap system, he is projected to become an important member of New England’s rotation at the position – particularly on early downs.</p>
<p id="mTgzWD">As such, Knighton’s snap numbers will probably not look much different than last season’s. However, considering his size and the physicality of the position he plays, limiting his playing time to keep him fresh throughout the season seems like a good thing to do – for his sake and for the sake of the defensive tackle rotation.</p>
<p id="TUwfdm" style="text-align: center;">---</p>
<p id="9RfjMK">Terrance Knighton has the tools to be a very good player within New England’s defense as a space-eater on first and second down. While he likely will not stand out with terrific statistics, he might help others do that – and as such become an important cog in the machine that is the Patriots’ defense.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2016/8/14/12403716/new-england-patriots-roster-breakdown-96-dt-terrance-knightonBernd Buchmasser2016-08-13T09:00:02-04:002016-08-13T09:00:02-04:00Patriots roster breakdown: DE Chris Long
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<img alt="NFL: New England Patriots-Training Camp" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/m41XHBzWVP57gMyoEIIjajfbHFo=/110x101:2311x1568/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50322287/usa-today-9408197.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The veteran offseason acquisition projects to be a member of the team’s defensive edge rotation.</p> <p id="1YXgKb">The New England Patriots‘ 2016 training camp is underway. Players fight for practice repetitions and playing time to earn one of the 53 spots on the roster. They have until late August, when each team has to start making its roster cuts, to secure a role.</p>
<p id="oklHwe">Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. Today, we’ll continue the series with defensive end Chris Long.</p>
<p id="1D4i27"><strong>Name:</strong> Chris Long</p>
<p id="r7JIf5"><strong>Position:</strong> Defensive end</p>
<p id="tqgule"><strong>Jersey number:</strong> 95</p>
<p id="wIvxJh"><strong>Age:</strong> 31</p>
<p id="z5srAs"><strong>Experience:</strong> 8</p>
<p id="PHp2I1"><strong>Size:</strong> 6’3, 270 lbs.</p>
<p id="ZQAew4"><strong>2015 review:</strong> After playing only six games in 2014 because of injury, Chris Long’s 2015 campaign was only marginally better when it comes to his health. Overall, the veteran appeared in 12 of the then-St. Louis Rams’ 16 games last year as a rotational player on the team’s defensive edge. Long was forced to sit out weeks 7 to 10 because of a knee injury, while also dealing with ankle issue throughout the year.</p>
<p id="7qVmHw">When he was on the field, Long had one of the least productive seasons of his eight-year career. The former second overall draft pick finished with 19 tackles, 3.0 sacks and one forced fumbles while playing 41.8% of the Rams’ defensive snaps (482 of 1,157). The Rams parted ways with Long in February to create cap space. The veteran left the franchise without ever having experienced a winning season or reaching the playoffs.</p>
<p id="6RqMiN"><strong>2016 preview:</strong> On March 18, three days after the team traded Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals, the Patriots signed Chris Long to a 1-year, $2.0 million contract. While Long is not expected to replace Jones one-for-one, he is projected to become a vital member of New England’s rotation on the defensive edge – a role that might suit the 31-year old well given his recent injury issues and the fact that he is getting up in age.</p>
<p id="And5JG">Long brings a lot of experience and smarts to the table and should be able to quickly adapt to the Patriots’ defensive scheme. While the Rams play a more aggressive style of defense, New England places more focus on controlling the line of scrimmage and setting the edge against the run. The latter is something Long needs to work on. While he has been a successful pass rusher – especially when healthy –, Long has not been as consistent in the running game.</p>
<p id="x7k64b">Overall, though, he brings a lot of talent to the table and is currently projected to be the team’s number three at defensive end – and could also be an option as defensive tackle. Given this versatility and the experience that goes along with it, Long could not only help the Patriots this year but also beyond: as a potential tutor for young edge defenders Trey Flowers and Geneo Grissom.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" id="TUwfdm">---</p>
<p id="UBJaN8">Chris Long is no Chandler Jones. However, the Patriots do not need him to be in order for Long to become a successful free agency acquisition. He simply needs to provide leadership, help take some pressure off both projected starters Jabaal Sheard and Rob Ninkovich, who is projected to miss the next few weeks due to a triceps injury, as well as young guys Flowers and Grissom and make the best out of the limited snaps he is about to see.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2016/8/13/12403692/new-england-patriots-roster-breakdown-95-de-chris-longBernd Buchmasser2016-08-12T09:00:05-04:002016-08-12T09:00:05-04:00Patriots roster breakdown: DT Markus Kuhn
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<img alt="New York Giants v Tennessee Titans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/j509ipsAG7mrDAWhr93SBh2nG7o=/0x0:4500x3000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50321323/460106948.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>He has seen a lot of first-team practice reps but will the veteran be able to earn a roster spot?</p> <p id="1YXgKb">The New England Patriots‘ 2016 training camp is underway. Players fight for practice repetitions and playing time to earn one of the 53 spots on the roster. They have until late August, when each team has to start making its roster cuts, to secure a role.</p>
<p id="oklHwe">Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. Today, we’ll continue the series with defensive tackle Markus Kuhn.</p>
<p id="1D4i27"><strong>Name:</strong> Markus Kuhn</p>
<p id="r7JIf5"><strong>Position:</strong> Defensive tackle</p>
<p id="tqgule"><strong>Jersey number:</strong> 94</p>
<p id="wIvxJh"><strong>Age:</strong> 30</p>
<p id="z5srAs"><strong>Experience:</strong> 4</p>
<p id="PHp2I1"><strong>Size:</strong> 6’4, 315 lbs.</p>
<p id="ZQAew4"><strong>2015 review:</strong> Kuhn entered the season as a depth player at defensive tackle with the New York Giants – a role he has held throughout his entire three-year career up to that point. 2015 was no different, as he was the Giants’ number four player at the position and finished with a playing time percentage of 27.0% (312 of 1,157) on defense, while he also played 68 snaps on special teams (of 498; 13.7%).</p>
<p id="GkbPi4">Kuhn appeared in 10 games as a rotational player last year and finished with 20 tackles and 0.5 sacks. However, his season ended early when he was placed on injured reserve following a knee injury he suffered in week 14. The Giants did not re-sign Kuhn after the season, so the Patriots were free to sign him to a 1-year, $1.08 million contract in early April.</p>
<p id="6RqMiN"><strong>2016 preview:</strong> The Patriots have a deep depth chart at defensive tackle with four players already (near-)locks to make the final roster. However, that does not mean that Kuhn does not have a chance to make the team. After all, he has seen a lot of repetitions with the projected top defensive line this training camp and currently seems to be the fifth option at the position.</p>
<p id="JRenOQ">Realistically, to make the team, the 30-year old will either have to beat out Terrance Knighton or Alan Branch or hope that New England opts to carry five defensive tackles on its roster. While both could happen, especially if Kuhn can make the best out of his practice reps, it is more likely that neither will take place and the veteran’s tenure in Foxboro ends after only one summer.</p>
<p id="TUwfdm" style="text-align: center;">---</p>
<p id="DlKv4j">Markus Kuhn does neither offer a lot of upside nor a lot versatility. Therefore, it would be a surprise to see him make the team over some younger and higher-ceiling options at other positions. Of course, there is still a long way to go until roster cuts, so Kuhn might still be able to improve his roster prospects.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2016/8/12/12402542/new-england-patriots-roster-breakdown-94-dt-markus-kuhnBernd Buchmasser2016-08-11T09:00:05-04:002016-08-11T09:00:05-04:00Patriots roster breakdown: DE Jabaal Sheard
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<img alt="NFL: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WSO-3VELYF5ai4RqjiE-e2-h7zE=/0x176:2187x1634/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50320009/usa-today-9045510.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With Chandler Jones in Arizona, Jabaal Sheard will see increased snaps on the defensive edge.</p> <p id="1YXgKb">The New England Patriots‘ 2016 training camp is underway. Players fight for practice repetitions and playing time to earn one of the 53 spots on the roster. They have until late August, when each team has to start making its roster cuts, to secure a role.</p>
<p id="oklHwe">Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. Today, we’ll continue the series with defensive end Jabaal Sheard.</p>
<p id="1D4i27"><strong>Name:</strong> Jabaal Sheard</p>
<p id="r7JIf5"><strong>Position:</strong> Defensive end</p>
<p id="tqgule"><strong>Jersey number:</strong> 93</p>
<p id="wIvxJh"><strong>Age:</strong> 27</p>
<p id="z5srAs"><strong>Experience:</strong> 5</p>
<p id="PHp2I1"><strong>Size:</strong> 6’3, 265 lbs.</p>
<p id="ZQAew4"><strong>2015 review:</strong> After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Cleveland Browns, Sheard joined the Patriots as an unrestricted free agent last offseason. The former second-round draft pick signed a 2-year, $11.0 million contract with New England and joined Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich as a top rotational edge defender. As such, Sheard played 15 of the Patriots’ 18 games – missing three because of an ankle injury – and 668 of a possible 1,249 defensive snaps (53.5%); the third-most of the three defensive ends.</p>
<p id="pSBF3P">Sheard finished the season with 47 tackles as he was arguably the Patriots’ most consistent edge defender against both the run and the pass. He added 8.0 sacks, eight quarterback hits and 16 pressures while drawing a team-high 16 penalties. Furthermore, the first-year Patriot forced four fumbles and broke up one pass. He also had 11 run stuffs, most on the team.</p>
<p id="6RqMiN"><strong>2016 preview:</strong> When the Patriots traded Chandler Jones, their most productive pass rusher of the last four years, to the Arizona Cardinals, Sheard was thrust into a starting role on the defensive edge opposite Rob Ninkovich. Consequently, his workload might increase a little, but New England will still employ a rotation on the defensive edges – with veteran free agent acquisition Chris Long and second-year players Trey Flowers and Geneo Grissom a part of it – to keep its rushers as fresh as possible.</p>
<p id="w67cDr">Still, Sheard is projected play around 85% of the Patriots’ snaps as a three-down defender; both on the edge and as a part-time defensive tackle in the team’s pass rushing packages. Being prominently featured on the defensive edge is nothing new to the 27-year old: he has been used in this capacity in Cleveland and in Foxboro as well. After all, Sheard has played the second most defensive end snaps during New England’s playoff run behind only Ninkovich.</p>
<p id="cCjlYs">If Sheard is able to build upon his playoff performance and an overall very promising first year in New England, the Patriots’ defensive success will not change despite Jones now playing in the NFC West. After all, Sheard has the tools to be a very good edge defender for the team.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;" id="TUwfdm">---</p>
<p id="0Vxkdf">The Patriots have had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season and both Sheard and Jones were integral parts of it. With Jones gone, Sheard has to rise to the challenge of consistently being the number one option at the position. Judging by last year, he should be able to do that.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2016/8/11/12401498/new-england-patriots-roster-breakdown-93-de-jabaal-sheardBernd Buchmasser2016-08-10T09:00:05-04:002016-08-10T09:00:05-04:00Patriots roster breakdown: DE Geneo Grissom
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<img alt="NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tWjZJ50xocwMNA6x-i1zk1gAT08=/431x529:4556x3279/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50318977/usa-today-8829317.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>James Lang-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In order to make the team and play meaningful snaps, Grissom has to make a second-year jump.</p> <p id="1YXgKb">The New England Patriots‘ 2016 training camp is underway. Players fight for practice repetitions and playing time to earn one of the 53 spots on the roster. They have until late August, when each team has to start making its roster cuts, to secure a role.</p>
<p id="oklHwe">Until then, players have to secure their spots on the team; they need to do their jobs (well) or someone else will. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will take a look at the men fighting for those spots on the 2016 New England Patriots. Today, we’ll continue the series with defensive end Geneo Grissom.</p>
<p id="1D4i27"><strong>Name:</strong> Geneo Grissom</p>
<p id="r7JIf5"><strong>Position:</strong> Defensive end</p>
<p id="tqgule"><strong>Jersey number:</strong> 92</p>
<p id="wIvxJh"><strong>Age:</strong> 24</p>
<p id="z5srAs"><strong>Experience:</strong> 1</p>
<p id="PHp2I1"><strong>Size:</strong> 6’4, 265 lbs.</p>
<p id="ZQAew4"><strong>2015 review:</strong> The Patriots invested a third-round selection (pick #97) in Grissom during the 2015 NFL draft. The Oklahoma product did not play a major role on defense during his rookie year, though, and was mainly used as a depth option behind Chandler Jones, Jabaal Sheard and Rob Ninkovich.</p>
<p id="tWWvfc">Overall, Grissom was active for 14 of New England’s 18 games, being a healthy stretch the other four weeks (among them both playoff games), and played a mere 10.4% of the team’s defensive snaps: 130 of 1,249. He finished his rookie campaign with six tackles and one sack, while adding three quarterback hits, one pressure and a pass breakup.</p>
<p id="ghaop8">Grissom’s major contributions came on special teams: he played 12 more snaps in the kicking game than on defense. The rookie was serviceable in the third phase of the game but also had one noticeable lapse in week 13, when he missed his assignment and allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to block a punt.</p>
<p id="6RqMiN"><strong>2016 preview:</strong> Despite being drafted in the third round last year, Grissom is no lock to make the Patriots’ roster, especially considering that linebacker Shea McClellin has experience on the defensive edge as well. His chances are solid, though, given his versatility and special teams experience.</p>
<p id="DAcslM">Currently, Grissom is the Patriots’ number five option on the defensive end depth chart. His major competition for defensive playing time are fellow 2015 draft pick Trey Flowers and offseason acquisition Chris Long; both of whom has had solid training camps so far. Grissom’s, for comparison has been quiet, although he has been used as a core player on the kickoff coverage teams.</p>
<p id="1xLcPY">While he was buried on the depth chart his rookie campaign, Grissom has the tools to make a second-year jump and solidify his standing on the roster – and maybe even become a valuable rotational player on the edge. But even if he fails to crack the defensive rotation, his special teams work might be enough to earn him a spot on the team.</p>
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<p id="mUgZrk">When he was drafted, Geneo Grissom was considered a developmental option. So far, his development has mostly happened behind the scenes but that does not mean that the 24-year old cannot become a contributor on a deep 2016 Patriots roster. After all, he offers versatility and upside on both defense and special teams.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2016/8/10/12401312/new-england-patriots-roster-breakdown-92-de-geneo-grissomBernd Buchmasser