Ninkovich emerged as one of the Patriots' best playmakers on defense this year. In our 'What's Next?' series, we explore his potential.
New England linebacker Rob Ninkovich recovers a Denver fumble in the second quarter of the Patriots' win Sunday in Denver. 
A 10-part series looking at what's to come for the New England Patriots
When Rob Ninkovich was brought into training camp two years ago most figured that he'd be seeking another suitor by the time the season started.
When he managed to stick throughout the 2009 season, most figured that his days were numbered after the team drafted Jermaine Cunningham that spring.
But Ninkovich, 28, again proved the doubters wrong, earning a prominent role in the defense, staring more games than linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, who was the team's leading pass rusher at the time.
This year, when the the New England Patriots switched to a 4-3 alignment on defense, most assumed that he didn't have a natural fit.
Ninkovich steadily progressed into one of New England's premiere playmakers throughout the year and is now one of the most important players in the defense.
He finished the year with 74 tackles, 6.5 sacks – five in the last seven weeks, plus two more in the playoffs – and two interceptions.
His play was so strong that some have went so far as to compare Ninkovich with another underappreciated late bloomer, former Patriot great Mike Vrabel.
Ninkovich was uncomfortable with those comparisons when they were brought up to him, but weren't without basis.
Ninkovich possess the ability to drop back in coverage and act as a traditional linebacker, but he also took on a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end role, much like the one that Vrabel starred in at the beginning of the decade.
Ninkovich was featured prominently in this role against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs, which allowed the Patriots to maximize the amount of speed on the field while also standing strong against the run.
Assigned with containing the Broncos option offense, Ninkovich showed his value on the first drive of the game when he made a judgment call and broke through Denver's offensive line and strip sacked quarterback Tim Tebow, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Being used in that role throughout much of the season, many of Ninkovich's improvements showed up against the run, but he also made major strides against the pass.
Ninkovich recorded only two interceptions – or as many as defensive tackle Vince Wilfork – but ended up grading out as the Patriots' second best linebacker in coverage behind Jerod Mayo, according to industry-leading statistics website, ProFootballFocus.com.
Ninkovich credits his growth in this area to having to cover tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez each day in practice.
"I'd say those are the best tight ends in the league right now," Ninkovich said. "With me as a defensive player going against those guys, it only makes me better. They give me the best look I could possibly get."
His flexibility and intelligence has endeared him to coach Bill Belichick and was a big reason that he played nearly 84 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps this season.
Now Ninkovich has to find a way to keep building on that trust.
He knows that he has plenty of work to do before he can make good on the Vrabel comparisons, but the fact that people are even drawing those parallels speaks volumes about his growth and perceived potential.
The foundation is at least there, and right now that's good enough.
All Ninkovich ever needed was a chance. Now we just have to see how far he can take it.