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Patriots kick-off 2016 in 99 days: Profiling No. 99 Vincent Valentine

By Connor Fulton

Nov 7, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive tackle Vincent Valentine (98) celebrates as the clock runs down against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. The Cornhuskers won 39-38. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive tackle Vincent Valentine (98) celebrates as the clock runs down against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. The Cornhuskers won 39-38. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Welcome to the first installment in Musket Fire’s annual jersey number-dictated New England Patriots kick-off countdown series. For the duration of the summer, we will be profiling the player whose jersey number corresponds with the number of days left until the New England Patriots pay a visit to the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 11. Since today marks 99 days until the Sunday Night Football opener, we are profiling No. 99, rookie defensive tackle Vincent Valentine.

Size: 6-foot-3, 329 pounds

College: Nebraska

2015 stats (at Nebraska): seven games, 10 tackles, three sacks

Hometown: Edwardsville, IL

A 5.19-second time in the 40-yard dash at the combine indicates that Valentine carries his weight well for a 329-pound defensive lineman. It’s encouraging to see that figure, as Valentine was often criticized in college, especially as a senior, for apparent lack of effort and a clear drop in production.

Forecasting Vincent Valentine in 2016

The Patriots smartly drafted Valentine in the wake of Akiem Hicks and Dominique Easley leaving the team this offseason. Ever since the 2013 season, when the Patriots’ interior defensive line strength was seriously flagging by the playoffs, Bill Belichick has made it a point to stockpile defensive line depth.

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Rich Hill of Pats Pulpit offered an explanation as to why the Patriots drafted Valentine:

“As more and more teams play nickel defenses, head coach Bill Belichick is of the belief that teams will eventually start running the ball more- because that’s what he’d do. When offensive coordinators see defenses with five defensive backs on the field, they see an opportunity to run the ball against a lighter defense. Belichick could be adding beef in the middle of the field to remove that advantage from opposing offensive coaches.

That reasoning makes sense. A nickel defense is certainly more run-friendly, so it’s paramount that the Patriots have a group of hole-filling defensive tackles to thwart the ground threat when they have five defensive backs on the field.

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Initially, Valentine will compete for a depth spot behind returners Malcom Brown and Alan Branch with newcomers Terrance Knighton, Markus Kuhn and Woodrow Hamilton, as well as holdover Joe Vellano. As Branch (31) and Knighton (soon to be 30) decline, Valentine should come up through the ranks and join Brown as defensive tackles of the future for the Patriots.

Next: 10 Best Names on 90-Man Roster

Tomorrow will mark 98 days until the Patriots open 2016 in the Arizona desert. Be sure to stop by Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we profile No. 98, defensive end Trey Flowers.

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