Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at Rob Ninkovich
Today marks 50 days until the New England Patriots open 2016, so we’re taking a closer look at the owner of the No. 50 jersey, defensive end Rob Ninkovich.
Size: 6-foot-2, 260 pounds
College: Purdue
2015 stats: 52 tackles, 6.5 sacks, forced fumble, recovered fumble, seven passes defended
NFL experience: 10 seasons
The most durable and dependable player on the Patriots’ roster is entering his 11th season in NFL since being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round back in 2006. Astoundingly, Ninkovich has not missed a game this decade; he’s only missed one game since joining the Patriots, and that was during the 2009 season.
8 most essential players on Patriots’ roster
During his seven years with the Patriots, Ninkovich has made his mark by posting a total of 42 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries, five interceptions and 21 passes defended. He has started 90 of 111 regular season games with the Patriots, as well as 13 of 14 postseason showdowns.
Recent installments in Patriots kick-off countdown profile series:
52 days – No. 52 Elandon Roberts
54 days – No. 54 Dont’a Hightower
Entering training camp this summer, Ninkovich joins Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long as the top dogs on the Patriots’ defensive end depth chart, ahead of the likes of Geneo Grissom, Trey Flowers and Frank Kearse. Look for Ninkovich to start all 16 regular season games for the Patriots for the sixth consecutive year (though he will likely be part of a three-man rotation at defensive end with Sheard and Long).
Ranking the Patriots’ interior defensive linemen
At age 32, Ninkovich is on the downswing of his NFL career. That being said, he still has plenty of good, energetic football left in the tank; we expect to see something in the range of six to nine sacks in 2016. This past offseason, the Patriots have even toyed with putting Ninkovich at linebacker and having him rush the passer from a standing up position, so keep an eye on that going forward.
Next: 10 Most Exciting Sophomore Pros on Pats Roster
Be sure to stop by Musket Fire on tomorrow morning as we count down 49 days until kickoff by profiling the owner of the No. 49, long snapper Joe Cardona.