Anthony Nelson Opens Up
May 9th, 2019
Your 4th round pick
Hands, hands, hands.
The Buccaneers’ rookie fourth-round pick is working on his hands and more. He opened up to Alex Marvez and Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian this week on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Anthony Nelson, the athletic 6-7, 271-pound defensive end out of Iowa, who has said he can lose 10 pounds or gain 10 for the NFL, if asked, is very likely a left defensive end in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense, Polian speculated.
“The 4-3, 3-4 stuff is really inside football. It’s about technique, how you play the run, gap entry and that kind of thing,” Polian said. “That length is really an advantage in rushing [the QB], because if you’re stymied. If the tackle you’re playing against is stronger than you and can stymie you, the bottom line is you stick those hands up boy, it’s awfully hard to throw over them.
“And the same is true in a drop, although a longer guy has a much more difficult time adjusting to zone drops because it just takes him longer to move that body into position. … Typically the left linebacker, those guys don’t drop as much.”
Of course, Jason Pierre-Paul played nearly every snap at right defensive end last with Carl Nassib on the opposite side. Joe wonders if the Bucs would dare move Nassib from the left side after his breakthrough 2018 season on that side of the field.
Nelson said his best pass rush move is the “inside stab” or “long arm” and he’s been extremely busy working on hand placement. That was his weakness entering last season. Nelson added NFL players have talked to him about developing “violent hands” that are “more precise.”
It seems he tapped NFL coaches after interviews this winter and walked away with that same advice.
“You know, when you go to the Combine and stuff like that, they’re interviewing you, but you get opportunity at the end to ask them things you can improve and things to work on, just putting that all together and consistently working on [my hands],” Nelson said.
Smart dude to squeeze what he could out of NFL coaches in those interviews.
Nelson said he was a bit surprised to be drafted by the Bucs since he wasn’t in touch with them for several weeks. Nelson wouldn’t biet on questions about the opportunity the JPP injury might provide him. One day at a time, he said.
May 9th, 2019 at 12:05 am
Hopefully this dude is the “steal” a lot of pundits say he is.
I have a feeling the Bucs are going to need him.
Perhaps he can be even better than the “JAG” as someone likes to call Nassib who played his a** off last year.
#itsabucslife
May 9th, 2019 at 12:17 am
The kid is working on exactly what he should be. From the tape I watched Nelson has great feet and wide enough set of moves to get around tackles and into the Qb’s lap. Had a great 3 cone drill and the tape backs up that quickness and agility. Worth mentioning that he can set the edge and hold is own in run defense, something that JPP excelled at and will be sorely missed.
But the one thing Anthony Nelson lacks that would take his game to the next level is a violent punch in his hands. If he can add the ability o shock tackles with an precise and explosive punch, that increases his chances of getting to the Qb exponentially.
May 9th, 2019 at 1:09 am
Always hoping for the best. Next man up. I am guessing additional moves will be made after cuts.
I am also feeling a better than even chance GMC will be playing for us this year. This has all been a negotiation. JPP injury just gave GMC a big chip in the game.
After all the bitching about him, I have yet to see anyone provide an equal or better replacement. And now you also have to replace JPP. Getting rid of McCoy would a bold/terrible move.
I’ll give it ‘Shill Joe’. Dee Ford would be looking pretty good on our roster right now… That’s over, who else?
May 9th, 2019 at 3:40 am
William Gholston 2.0
May 9th, 2019 at 4:53 am
I like this kid think he will be a steal …
May 9th, 2019 at 6:55 am
He may end up being a steal as the third team all Big 10 DE, but the safer bet was Charles Omenihu, 1st team all Big 12 and conference defensive player of the year.Omenihu was was available when the Bucs picked. Maybe the Bucs brain trust sees something special (and I hope they do), but past history suggests that they pass on players who are better performers at the next level because they fall in love and ignore the board.
May 9th, 2019 at 7:08 am
Gholston benefits more then anyone with JPP going down. Nelson was drafted to push Will out of here, now we need him.
May 9th, 2019 at 8:43 am
Tbb… no. Nelson is already a much, much better pass rusher than Will Gholston is now. Comparing the twos college production tells you that easily. Gholston averaged 3 sacks a season in College where Nelson averaged nearly 8 per season.
May 9th, 2019 at 9:26 am
we’re going to need him to produce right away…
GO BUCS!!!!
May 9th, 2019 at 11:53 am
I said right after the draft that next to White the best pick the Bucs made was Nelson. I think Gholston is on the outside looking in. Could use the cap space.