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Patriots kick-off 2016 in 97 days: Profiling No. 97 Alan Branch

By Connor Fulton

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos guard Louis Vasquez (65) blocks New England Patriots defensive lineman Alan Branch (97) in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 20-18 to advance to the Super Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos guard Louis Vasquez (65) blocks New England Patriots defensive lineman Alan Branch (97) in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 20-18 to advance to the Super Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Welcome to another 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 open the season against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 11. Since today marks 97 days until the Sunday Night Football opener, we are profiling No. 97, veteran defensive tackle Alan Branch.

Size: 6-foot-6, 324 pounds

College: Michigan

2015 stats: 35 combined tackles, sack, two fumbles forced, two passes defended

NFL experience: Nine seasons (age 31)

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

The Patriots displayed their confidence in Branch by picking up his $400,000 option in early March. Barring some unforeseen breakdown in training camp, Branch must be viewed as a roster lock entering 2016.

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In two seasons with the Patriots, Branch has been consistently productive on the interior defensive line. The nine-year veteran started 15 of 16 regular season games for the Patriots in 2015, playing lights-out in the AFC Championship Game despite the Pats’ eventual loss.

And don’t forget, Branch was a major part of the Patriots’ championship-winning defense two years ago.

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In addition to his contributions in the heat of battle, Branch served as a mentor and effective sidekick on the defensive line for 2015 first round pick Malcom Brown. After the departure of defensive tackles Akiem Hicks, Dominique Easley and Sealver Siliga over the offseason, Brown’s role will only burgeon and Branch will help him along the way.

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2016 will mark Branch’s third season with the Patriots, the most time he’s spent with one team since he was a member of the Arizona Cardinals from 2007-2010. In the intervening time, Branch played for the Seattle Seahawks (2011-2012) and Buffalo Bills (2013).

Next: 10 Best Names on 90-Man Roster

Tomorrow marks 96 days until the Patriots open 2016 in the Arizona desert. Be sure to stop by Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we profile No. 96, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton.

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