Anthony Nelson Vs. Joe Tryon
July 29th, 2021
Position battle?
When you bring back 22+1 starters, there are not many roster battles. Joe’s gone there already. It’s a pleasant issue for a defending Super Bowl champion.
However, lurking below the surface is a camp battle, types Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. He thinks there is a fight for the No. 3 edge rusher between Anthony Nelson and first-round draft pick Joe Tryon.
Under the radar: OLB3, Anthony Nelson vs. Joe Tryon
… … We know Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette will duke it out in camp, but the starting roles are pretty much figured out for the Week 1 Cowboys game. Let’s take a look at the third OLB spot behind Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul. First-round pick Tryon will compete with third-year backer Nelson for that spot in camp. Tryon has the lateral quickness that make it obvious why he’s a first-rounder. Nelson played 30% of the defensive snaps last season and logged one sack and seven pressures. Tryon’s obviously the future at the position, but Nelson isn’t going to just hand it over to the 32nd overall pick.
Jones is onto something and this may be a fluid issue. As Jones points out, Nelson played a lot of snaps for a backup, but the results could have been better. He certainly improved from his rookie year, and even before the draft, Joe would have said Nelson will have his best year yet in 2021.
Tryon, while very quick, is a work in progress. Hopefully he can shake off the rust quickly from not playing football since December 2019. Through four days of underwear football Tryon has shown his speed and made lesser offensive players eat dirt.
But again, this is underwear football. It’s irresponsible to say an outside linebacker rushes the quarterback well when the blocking is limited and the hitting is forbidden. The pads possibly will come on this Sunday for the first time.
Joe guesses Nelson is the No. 3 OLB to start the season (unless Tryon blows up) with the Bucs hoping Tryon unseats Nelson before the postseason.
July 29th, 2021 at 6:40 am
Watching the videos of the Bucs defensive line on social media platforms check out Anthony Nelson footwork. Below level athlete but has size. This guys days are numbered. He doesn’t bring much to the table and hasn’t produced much since he has been here.
July 29th, 2021 at 6:48 am
Nelson shouldn’t stand a chance against the 1st round pick. Nelson will be looking up at Tryon, he better watch out for the guy below him.
July 29th, 2021 at 7:11 am
If the Bucs thought Anthony Nelson was the next replacement of JPP then the Bucs would have not draft Tryon as their first pick.
Nelson is a descent backup with skills to get to the QB but he does not have the speed or power to be elite.
July 29th, 2021 at 7:32 am
More like Nelson Vs Cam Gill for the #4 spot.
July 29th, 2021 at 7:37 am
This is a good spot for the Bucs to be in. There is no question that one, or both, will be thrust into action at one point or another.
With the age of our DL this is not a bad problem to have.
July 29th, 2021 at 7:59 am
Nelson is a solid depth piece for sure, but I dont think anyone is confusing him for an above-average-to-good pass rusher. He is what he is, and that’s completely fine.
July 29th, 2021 at 8:06 am
But Major Anthony Nelson has a genie.
Just saying.
July 29th, 2021 at 8:29 am
Nelson came in regularly and did an effective job….reminds me of a Gholston type player. Effective but not flashy on the stat sheet, great in the rotation. Probably stays in that role for his career but i like him as a Buc.
July 29th, 2021 at 8:41 am
I like both Nelson and Gill but Tryon is going to get a lot of snaps in the rotation and will be a beast before the year is out.
July 29th, 2021 at 8:57 am
Nelson is a lunch pail guy that doesn’t have the sizzle the rookie currently possesses. I agree with Bobby that he reminds me of a Gholston type player at this point. And though Gholston is no star there is certainly value to be had there. Should be an interesting battle. Tryon still likely needs to add some NFL strength to go with his speed. But speed means a lot in the NFL…
July 29th, 2021 at 9:40 am
I agree Tryon is going to overtake Nelson. I think before the start of the season. But where everyone says Gholston isn’t a star, I disagree. I think he’s a constant solid starter that shouldn’t be overlooked. I know he’s mixed in with Vea and Suh, but didn’t he lead those guys with pressures last year?
July 29th, 2021 at 10:02 am
I agree PassingThru.
Anthony Nelson is solid against the run, but does not have much upside as a pass rusher. Gill has fantastic speed on the edge, but is not nearly as good as Nelson against the run. I am sure both will be on the roster, but Tryon will obviously be the third guy in the rotation.
July 29th, 2021 at 10:39 am
To me Nelson is very similar to O’Conner but all around better player. Nelson vs Tryon. Wait till the pads come on.
July 29th, 2021 at 10:45 am
This is a great battle because it makes Nelson have to up his game. He has already proven to be a solid player for us. Thats the bar, so if we are gonna see Tryon start getting those snaps we are probably gonna see something good with it.
Lets hope Tryon is up to the battle and can force himself some playing time. I like Joes prediction that we see Tryon emerge somtime towards the 2nd half of season.
July 29th, 2021 at 11:59 am
Is Cam Gill out all together?
Bummer. He looked good when he played last season.
July 29th, 2021 at 12:11 pm
Yep I agree Tryon can’t be anointed the number three spot until he at least proved it in preseason while staying healthy
July 29th, 2021 at 1:31 pm
May the best man win, but if Nelson hasn’t improved since last year and Tryon can’t beat him out, I’d be a little worried about Tryon doing much this year. Then again, Chase Young (NE media at its finest) set the bar so low last year for rookie defensive ends, that all Joe needs is a couple of tackles and maybe a single pressure in order to have a decent season by the new standard.
July 29th, 2021 at 3:34 pm
Tryon is already penciled in as the primary rotational edge rusher this year. Barring injury or unexpected complications of course….
It will be Nelson vs Gill for the 4th and final OLBer spot. And Nelson is no lock to make the final 53 I bet…..
July 29th, 2021 at 7:10 pm
Ocala
“Anthony Nelson is solid against the run, but does not have much upside as a pass rusher.”
True. Nelson did have a solid year against the run. He wasn’t bad that’s for sure. I pray for Tryon to be JPP Jr but he hasn’t put on pads in over a year. I was so excited about Adrian Clayborn, also. And everyone is right when talking about Gill.
WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY G.D. GOOD PLAYERS!!!
July 30th, 2021 at 12:27 am
@teflon don
Nelson and smart, hustles, and makes plays when he has chances.
He is a nice building block for our defense.
William Gholston has improved every year.
I expect the same from Anthony Nelson.