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Patriots kick-off 2016 in 92 days: Profiling No. 92 Geneo Grissom

By Connor Fulton

Oct 29, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) under pressure by New England Patriots outside linebacker Geneo Grissom (92) in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) under pressure by New England Patriots outside linebacker Geneo Grissom (92) in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-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 92 days until the Sunday Night Football opener, we are profiling No. 92, veteran defensive end Geneo Grissom.

Size: 6-foot-3, 264 pounds

College: Oklahoma

2015 stats: Five combined tackles, sack

NFL experience: One season (age 24)

Hometown: Hutchinson, KS

The No. 97 overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, Grissom was active for all but one regular season game for the Patriots last season. That being said, he didn’t touch the field very much. According to Pro Football Reference, Grissom played 130 snaps on settled defense, or just under 12 percent of total defensive snaps.

However, it should be noted that Grissom appeared in 142 special teams snaps, or about 29 percent of total special teams hikes of the ball.

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Now, we can’t talk about Grissom without mentioning his biggest gaffe of his rookie season. You may remember that a week after having their perfect record ruined by the Denver Broncos, the Pats fell flat on their fact against the Philadelphia Eagles. Special teams miscues characterized the loss, and Grissom was the main culprit behind a punt-protection breakdown that led to an Eagles punt block and touchdown return.

Grissom ended his season on a strong note, though, when he recorded his first pro sack by bringing down Ryan Tannehill in the Patriots’ Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

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Looking toward 2016, Grissom can be penciled-in as the No. 4 defensive end behind veterans Jabaal Sheard, Rob Ninkovich and Chris Long and ahead of fellow 2015 draft pick Trey Flowers.

Next: 10 Best Names on 90-Man Roster

Tomorrow marks 91 days until the Patriots open 2016 in the Arizona desert. Be sure to stop by Musket Fire tomorrow morning as we profile No. 91, defensive end Jamie Collins.

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