Steelers vs Patriots: What to Watch For
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
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Rob Gronkowski
The
New England Patriots begin their Super Bowl title defense tonight at Gillette Stadium against the
Pittsburgh Steelers. Kick off is set for 8:30 p.m and the game can be seen on NBC.
"They're very good in the kicking game, really explosive on offense and solid on defense with a lot of young players that I'm sure they're counting on for big years, and it wouldn't surprise me if they deliver because it's a pretty talented group.They're a good fundamental team, they don't make many mistakes. We know we're going to have to play well, and that's what we expect to do," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in his press conference earlier this week.
Here are five things to watch for in the game.
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Malcolm Butler vs Antonio Brown
Super Bowl hero, Malcolm Butler enters the season as the Patriots number one cornerback, and Patriots fans will know early on if Butler is going to be the guy this season, as his first cover will be Antonio Brown.
Antonio Brown is entering his sixth season in the NFL, all with Pittsburgh, and has racked up 390 catches for 5,259 yards and 28 touchdowns in his career.
In 2014, Brown posted career numbers across the board with 129 catches for 1,698 yards and 13 touchdown catches. Brown also averaged 106 receiving yards per game.
The last time the Patriots saw Antonio Brown was in 2013 at Gillette Stadium, where he hauled in five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Brown will be the main focus of the Steelers offense with running back Le'Veon Bell suspended as well as wide receiver Martavis Bryant.
Butler may get some help over the top from one of the safeties, but for the most part Brown will be his man.
Gronkowski/ Chandler Tight End Combination
It will be exciting to see tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler, on the field together and how they are able to play off of each other.
The catch that Chandler made at the end of the first half of the preseason game against Carolina for a touchdown sparked visions of what this two tight end combination could do.
Chandler could have a big year for the Patriots as Gronkowski will likely be double-teamed by just about everybody, which will leave Chandler with chances to make plays.
Chandler had 47 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns last season as a member of the Buffalo Bills. Expect those numbers to go up this season.
Patriots Offensive Line
The Patriots seem like they enter every season, at least the last couple, with questions on the offensive line, and this season is no different.
Bryan Stork will not play and was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return due to concussion issues, meaning he will be out until at least week six.That means Ryan Wendell will likely see snaps at the center position. Wendell does have experience at center which makes him the top choice.
Two other players to look for are rookies, David Andrews and Tre' Jackson. Both had a good preseason for the Patriots and will add depth to the line.
Containing Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and at 6'5," 240 pounds, is tough to tackle.
"I'd say he's as good as anybody. There are other players that are maybe faster than he is, but he's very hard to tackle, very difficult to get down. On top of that, he's got great vision, very good accuracy down the field. Again, he doesn't have to step into the throw or have a clean pocket. He can make throws with guys hanging all over him, falling down, so he's as good as anybody we play at that," Belichick said.
In his career, Roethlisberger has rushed for 1,162 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Patriots defense will have to balance getting pressure on Roethlisberger but also keeping him in the pocket. Roethlisberger is as dangerous out of the pocket as he is in the pocket.
Running Back Situation
Starting running back, LeGarrette Blount, is suspended for this game, which means there is a great unknown coming into the game. Who is Tom Brady handing the ball off too?
Wouldn't be surprised to see Brandon Bolden get the touches early on in the game just because of his experience, but James White and Dion Lewis will see time.
Both White and Lewis had their moments during the preseason, and both showed they can catch the ball, and the Patriots love to use those quick passes to running backs in the backfield or just over the line of scrimmage.
The Patriots running back situation, at least for this game, might be one of the most interesting things to watch.
Gameday
The 2015 NFL season is here and it all kicks off at Gillette Stadium with the Patriots raising the banner and then hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Related Slideshow: Meet the 2015 New England Patriots
The New England Patriots 2015 roster. The roster will be updated as moves are made throughout the season. Notes of the moves will be listed below.
Notes:
Wide receiver Brandon LaFell, linebacker Dane Fletcher and defensive tackle Chris Jones are all starting the season on the Physically unable to perform list (PUP).
September 9th - Center Bryan Stork placed on injured reserve with designation to return. Patriots sign cornerback Justin Coleman
September 12th - Patriots cut Eric Martin to make room for Blount's return to the lineup
September 15th- Patriots release rookie Chris Harper
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#3
Name: Stephen Gostkowski
Position: Kicker
Year in League: 10th
College: Memphis
Since being drafted in 2006 to replace Adam Vinatieri, Stephen Gostkowski has scored 1,179 points for the Patriots and is the teams all time leading scorer. Gostkowski has 117 playoff points.
In the offseason, the Patriots signed Gostkowski to a 4-year, $17 million contract extension.
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#6
Name: Ryan Allen
Position: Punter
Year in League: 3rd
College: Louisiana Tech
In two seasons with the Patriots, Ryan Allen has averaged 46 yards per punt and of his 142 career punts (coming into 2015), he has only had one of them blocked.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#10
Name: Jimmy Garoppolo
Position: Quarterback
Year in League: 2nd
College: Eastern Illinois
Back up quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was almost going to be the starter for the first few games of this season if Tom Brady's suspension was not overturned.
Garoppolo was the Patriots 2nd round pick in the 2014 draft and in six games played last season he went 19 of 27 for 182 yards and one touchdown pass.
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#11
Name: Julian Edelman
Position: Wide Receiver
Year in League: 7th
College: Kent State
In his career, Julian Edelman has racked up 266 catches for 2,742 yards and 14 touchdowns.
In the 2014 season, Edelman hauled in 92 receptions for 972 yards and four touchdowns. In the playoffs, Edelman pulled in 26 catches, including a touchdown catch in the Super Bowl to give the Patriots the lead for good.
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#12
Name: Tom Brady
Position: Quarterback
Year in League: 16th
College: Michigan
Tom Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, leading the Patriots to four Super Bowl titles and six total Super Bowl appearances in his 15 seasons.
In 2014, Brady got off to a slow start, along with the rest of the team, but turned it around and ended up throwing 373 passes for 4,109 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Brady led the Patriots on an epic fourth quarter Super Bowl comeback and was named MVP of the game.
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#17
Name: Aaron Dobson
Position: Wide Receiver
Year in League: 3rd
College: Marshall
Aaron Dobson only played four games for the Patriots last season, missing nearly the entire year with injury.
In his two years since being drafted by the Patriots, Dobson has 40 receptions on 77 targets for 557 yards and four touchdowns.
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#18
Name: Matthew Slater
Position: Wide Receiver/ Special Teams
Year in League: 8th
College: UCLA
Matthew Slater is known for his special teams play as he was drafted in 2008 by the Patriots. Slater has been the special teams captain in five straight seasons, includng this season.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#21
Name: Malcolm Butler
Position: Cornerback
Year in League: 2nd
College: West Alabama
Malcolm Butler was signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent in 2014 and now has one of the most famous interceptions in New England Patriots history as he picked off Russell Wilson to seal the Patriots 28-24 Super Bowl XLIX victory.
Butler comes into this season as the number one cornerback on the depth chart.
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#22
Name: Justin Coleman
Position: Cornerback
Year in League: Rookie
College: Tennessee
Justin Coleman was signed by the Patriots on September 9th to replace Bryan Stork on the roster.
Coleman originally signed with the Patriots on September 4th, but then was released and signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad before being brought back to New England.
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#23
Name: Patrick Chung
Position: Safety
Year in League: 7th
College: Oregon
Patrick Chung returned to the Patriots last season after spending a year with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Chung had 85 tackles and one interception for the Pats in 2014 where he started at the safety position next to Devin McCourty in nearly every game during the regular season and in every playoff game.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#24
Name: Bradley Fletcher
Position: Cornerback
Year in League: 7th
College: Iowa
Bradley Fletcher signed with the Patriots as a free agent in March of 2015 after playing two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Fletcher started all 15 games he played in with the Eagles last year and racked up 66 tackles, one interception and 26 passes defended.
Fletcher was taken 66th overall by the St. Louis Rams in the 2009 NFL draft.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#25
Name: Tarell Brown
Position: Cornerback
Year in League: 9th
College: Texas
A veteran pick up by the Patriots in the 2015 offseason, Tarell Brown comes over from the Raiders where he started 14 games and had 54 tackles and four passes defended before getting injured and missing the final two games.
Brown will play the cornerback position opposite Malcolm Butler.
Tarell Brown was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft where he played until 2013.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#26
Name: Logan Ryan
Position: Cornerback
Year in League: 3rd
College: Rutgers
Logan Ryan was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
In 2014, Ryan had 42 tackles and two interceptions to go with six passes defensed.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#27
Name: Tavon Wilson
Position: Defensive Back
Year in League: 4th
College: Illinois
Tavon Wilson was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. In his career, Wilson has five interceptions for 161 yards along with 48 tackles.
In 2014, Wilson was in and out of the lineup, registering 20 tackles on the season.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#28
Name: James White
Position: Running Back
Year in League: 2nd
College: Wisconsin
James White was drafted by the Patriots in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season, White had 9 carries for 38 yards and 5 receptions for 23 yards.
With the loss of Shane Vereen in the offseason, White will look to fill that role this season for the Patriots.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#29
Name: LeGarrette Blount
Position: Running Back
Year in League: 6th
College: Oregon
LeGarrette Blount came back to the Patriots after being released by the Steelers in November of 2014. Blount ran for 547 yards on 127 carries, reaching pay dirt five times last season.
Blount helped carry the Patriots through the playoffs and in the Super Bowl, carried the ball 14 times for 40 yards.
Blount is the Patriots all time post season rushing leader with seven touchdowns and and 30 rushes for 148 yards.
Blount will be suspended for the Patriots first game against Pittsburgh.
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#30
Name: Duran Harmon
Position: Defensive Back
Year in League: 3rd
College: Rutgers
Duran Harmon was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
In the 2014 season, Harmon had 12 tackles and one interception in 16 games played, none of which he started.
For his career, Harmon has 43 tackles and five interceptions and this season will likely split time with Patrick Chung at the safety position.
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#32
Name: Devin McCourty
Position: Defensive Back
Year in League: 6th
College: Rutgers
Drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Devin McCourty started his career as a cornerback before making the move to safety. McCourty has been named a defensive captain for the fifth season.
In 2014, McCourty had 68 tackles, 51 of which were solo, hauled in two interceptions and forced a fumble.
McCourty has 17 career interceptions and 388 tackles.
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#33
Name: Dion Lewis
Position: Running Back
Year in League: 4th
College: Pittsburgh
Dion Lewis comes to the Patriots after two seasons where he did not play. In 2013, Lewis went to Cleveland in a trade but injured his leg in a preseason game and was placed on season ending injured reserve.
In 2014, Lewis was cut by Cleveland and signed with the Colts. Lewis spent one week on the active roster before being released in September.
The last significant action Dion Lewis saw was in 2012 when he had 13 carries for 69 yards with the Eagles where he was a reserve running back. He played in 9 games.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#37
Name: Jordan Richards
Position: Defensive Back
Year in League: Rookie
College: Stanford
Jordan Richards was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
At Stanford, Richards tallied 247 tackles, one sack, nine interceptions and forced five fumbles.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#38
Name: Brandon Bolden
Position: Running Back
Year in League: 4th
College: Mississippi
The Patriots signed Bolden as a rookie free agent in May of 2012 and since then he has racked up 634 rushing yards on 139 attempts and six touchdowns.
In 2014, Bolden rushed for 89 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown. He also saw time on special teams.
Bolden's best year with the Patriots so far was in 2013 when he rushed for 271 yards on 55 carries and scored three touchdowns. Bolden also caught 21 passes for 152 yards.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#39
Name: Travaris Cadet
Position: Running Back
Year in League: 4th
College: Appalachian State
Travaris Cadet signed with the Patriots in March of 2015 after spending his first three seasons in the league with the New Orleans Saints.
In 2014, Cadet carried the ball 10 times for 38 yards but hauled in 38 catches for 296 yards and a touchdown.
Cadet originally signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#43
Name: Nate Ebner
Position: Defensive Back
Year in League: 4th
College: Ohio State
Nate Ebner was drafted by the Patriots in the 6th round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Throughout his career Ebner has played mostly on special teams and has a total of 34 tackles. 22 of them solo.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#47
Name: Michael Hoomanawanui
Position: Tight End
Year in League: 6th
College: Illinois
Michael Hoomanawanui was signed by New England in April of 2013 after being drafted in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams.
For his career, Hoomanawanui has 40 catches for 518 yards and four touchdowns.
In 2014 with New England, Hoomanawanui had three receptions for 44 yards and was mostly used for blocking purposes.
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#49
Name: Joe Cardona
Position: Long Snapper
Year in League: Rookie
College: Navy
Joe Cardona was drafted in the 5th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Patriots and "is considered one of the top long snappers in the country coming out of college," according to Patriots.com
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#50
Name: Rob Ninkovich
Position: Defensive End
Year in League: 10th
College: Purdue
Rob Ninkovich was originally drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft and signed with the Patriots as a free agent in August of 2009.
Ninkovich is a versatile player and one of the leaders on the defense with the ability to play defensive end and linebacker as well if needed.
In 2014, Ninkovich totaled 62 tackles, eight sacks and one interception for New England.
In his career, Ninkovich has 35.5 sacks and 376 tackles.
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#51
Name: Jerod Mayo
Position: Linebacker
Year in League: 8th
College: Tennessee
After a contract restructure in the offseason, Jerod Mayo enters 2015 looking to bounce back from back to back seasons plagued and ended by injuries. Mayo has only played six games in each of the last two seasons.
In his last full season with New England (2012), Mayo totaled 147 tackles, three sacks, an interception and four forced fumbles.
Jerod Mayo was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft by New England and was once again elected a captain this season.
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#54
Name: Dont'a Hightower
Position: Linebacker
Year in League: 4th
College: Alabama
The Patriots drafted Dont'a Hightower in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft and since then he has emerged as one of te most important players on the defense.
In 2014, Hightower recorded 89 tackles and six sacks, starting all 12 of the games that he played in.
Over the last two seasons, Hightower was forced to take on a bigger role due to the injuries to Jerod Mayo and it has helped him grow as a player.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#55
Name: Jonathan Freeny
Position: Linebacker
Year in League: 4th
College: Rutgers
Jonathan Freeny has spent the last three seasons with the Miami Dolphins and signed with the Patriots this offseason as a free agent.
In 2014, Freeny played in 12 games for the Dolphins and recorded 15 tackles and one sack.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#60
Name: David Andrews
Position: Center
Year in League: Rookie
College: Georgia
David Andrews was signed by the Patriots as a rookie free agent after playing three seasons at Georgia.
With a banged up offensive line Andrews could see big minutes especially early in the season.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#61
Name: Marcus Cannon
Position: Offensive Line
Year in League: 5th
College: Texas Christian
Marcus Cannon was drafted by the Patriots in the 5th round of the 2011 draft.
Cannon is a versatile player who in 2014 saw action at left tackle, right tackle and left guard.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#62
Name: Ryan Wendell
Position: Offensive line
Year in League: 7th
College: Fresno State
Ryan Wendell went from the Patriots practice squad to the 53 man roster in 2009 after signing with New England as a free agent in 2008.
Wendell has experience at both the right guard and center positions.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#63
Name: Tre' Jackson
Position: Guard
Year in League: Rookie
College: Florida State
Tre' Jackson was drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft after being a three-year starter at Florida State.
Like fellow rookie David Andrews, Jackson will provide good depth to the offensive line.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#67
Name: Josh Kline
Position: Offensvie Line
Year in League: 3rd
College: Kent State
Josh Kline went from the practice squad to the 53 man roster in 2013 and he has stayed thier ever since.
Kline saw action as both right guard and left guard in 2014.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#69
Name: Shaq Mason
Position: Offensive Line
Year in League: Rookie
College: Georgia Tech
Shaq Mason was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Mason was a two year starter at Georgia Tech.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#70
Name: Rufus Johnson
Position: Linebacker
Year in League: 1st
College: Tarleton State
Rufus Johnson was drafted by the Saints in the 6th round of the 2013 NFL Draft but has yet to play an NFL game.
Johnson spent 2013 on the Saints practice squad and was released prior to the 2014 season.
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#74
Name: Khyri Thornton
Position: Defensive Tackle
Year in League: 2nd
College: Southern Mississippi
Khyri Thornton was drafted in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. However, he got injured in the final preseason game and was placed on season ending injured reserve.
Green Bay released him on September 5th, 2015.
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#76
Name: Sebastian Vollmer
Position: Tackle
Year in League: 7th
College: Houston
Sebastian Vollmer was drafted by he Patriots in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Vollmer has spent most of his play time lining up at the right tackle position throughout his career.
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#77
Name: Nate Solder
Position: Tackle
Year in League: 5th
College: Colorado
Nate Solder was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
In his career, Solder has played some right tackle but it has been mostly left tackle and almost exclusively left tackle over the last two seasons.
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#80
Name: Danny Amendola
Position: Wide Receiver
Year in League: 7th
College: Texas Tech
Danny Amendola came over from St. Louis in March of 2013.
Last season in New England, Amendola had 27 catches for 200 yards and came up big in the Super Bowl posting five catches for 48 yards and touchdown to pull the Patriots to within three points.
The biggest thing that Amendola did last season was stay healthy, playing all 16 regular season games for the first time in four years.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#85
Name: Michael Williams
Position: Tight End
Year in League: 3rd
College: Alabama
Michael Williams was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season, Williams suffered an injury in the preseason and was put on injured reserve and out for the season.
Last season, Williams played as an offensive tackle on the Detroit Lions practice squad.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#87
Name: Rob Gronkowski
Position: Tight End
Year in League: 6th
College: Arizona
Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in the league right now and when it is all said and done, may go down as one of the best, if not the best, tight end to ever play.
In 2014, Gronkowski had 82 receptions for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns.
In his career, Gronkowski has pulled in 308 receptions for 4,379 yards and 54 touchdowns.
Gronkowski was a second round draft pick by the Patriots in 2010
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#88
Name: Scott Chandler
Position: Tight End
Year in League: 8th
College: Iowa
Originally drafted by San Diego in 2007, Scott Chandler has played the last four seasons with the Buffalo Bills before coming to New England as a free agent this past off-season.
Last season with Buffalo, Chandler had 47 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns.
With Rob Gronkowski lining up next to him, expect those numbers to go up. When teams go to double team Gronkowski, Chandler will have openings.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#90
Name: Malcolm Brown
Position: Defensive Lineman
Year in League: Rookie
College: Texas
Malcolm Brown was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.
In his career at Texas, Brown had 165 tackles and 8 1/2 sacks.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#91
Name: Jamie Collins
Position: Linebacker
Year in League: 3rd
College: Southern Mississippi
The Patriots drafted Jamie Collins in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft and in two years Collins has totaled 159 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions.
Collins is a versatile player that can hold his own out in coverage if he gets the right matchup.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#92
Name: Geneo Grissom
Position: Defensive Lineman
Year in League: Rookie
College: Oklahoma
The Patriots drafted Grissom in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
At Oklahoma, Grissom recorded 88 tackles in 39 games played along with eight sacks and two interceptions.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#93
Name: Jabaal Sheard
Position: Defensive Lineman
Year in League: 5th
College: Pittsburgh
Jabaal Sheard was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft and signed with the Patriots on March 12, 2015 as a free agent.
In 2014, Sheard had 44 tackles and two sacks in 16 games played, five of which he started.
Sheard has 190 tackles and 23 sacks in his career.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#95
Name: Chandler Jones
Position: Defensive End
Year in League: 4th
College: Syracuse
Chandler Jones was the Patriots first round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
During the 2014 season, Jones posted 43 tackles, six sacks and and two forced fumbles.
In his career, Jones has 167 tackles and 23.5 sacks as well as six forced fumbles.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#96
Name: Sealver Siliga
Position: Defensive Lineman
Year in League: 4th
College: Utah
Sealver Siliga started on the Patriots practice squad in 2013 before being moved to the 53 man roster. In 2014, Siliga solidified a starting job and was effective for the Patriots.
In 2014, Siliga had 32 tackles and 2.5 sacks in seven games played after returning from injury. Siliga had four tackles in the Super Bowl victory.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#97
Name: Alan Branch
Position: Defensive Lineman
Year in League: 9th
College: Michigan
Alan Branch was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft and signed with the patriots as a free agent in October of 2014.
In his first season with the Patriots, Branch had 13 tackles in eight games played and recorded three tackles in the Super Bowl.
Photo courtesy of Patriots.com
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#98
Name: Trey Flowers
Position: Defensive Lineman
Year in League: Rookie
College: Arkansas
Trey Fowers went to the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
In college, Flowers registered 190 tackles and 18 sacks in 49 games played.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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#99
Name: Dominique Easley
Position: Defensive Lineman
Year in League: 2nd
College: Florida
The Patriots drafted Easley in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Easley only played 11 games for New England last season before being placed on injured reserve.
Easley recorded 10 tackles and 1 sack in those 11 games.
Photo courtesy of patriots.com
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