Another Chance For Anthony Nelson
September 25th, 2021
Likely starter
Bucco Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles made it very clear this week that Anthony Nelson is playing very well this season.
Of course, those comments came during discussions of rookie outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
If Joe had to wager, Joe would bet it’s Nelson that starts tomorrow for injured outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul. The 2019 fourth-round pick got his shot to start for Shaq Barrett in Week 17 last year and didn’t do much with it.
Joe remembers being a little disappointed and, frankly, that performance could have have been a small factor in the Bucs drafting Tryon-Shoyinka this year.
Regardless, Nelson, 24, is stout against the run — always top priority at One Buc Palace — and with a short passing game expected from the Rams, he’s a great dude to bat down passes. Nelson, at 6-7, is two inches taller than Tryon-Shoyinka and has slightly longer arms.
The Bucs batted down three passes last week and Arians emphasized that this week when speaking about teams not running the ball against the Bucs.
Yes, Joe expects to see a lot of the rookie on Sunday, but also a lot more of Nelson than many fans might think. He’s a third-year guy with a Super Bowl ring; it’s time to step up.
September 25th, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Nice Joe! Great report.
September 25th, 2021 at 4:55 pm
I really dont wanna see Tryon in the game in the redzone based on last weeks performance. Winfield takes all the heat for missing that tackle. For sure he deserves some blame but Tryon took himself right out of that play and could have prevented that.
Overall our redzone D took a huge step backwards last week. Big area of concern for me tomorrow.
September 25th, 2021 at 5:01 pm
I’m with you Joe; expect to see a lot of Nelson, plus some more of JTS. Also given how vital Todd Bowles feels it is to stop the run, wouldn’t be surprised to see Will Gholston out there some. Rams seem to like running outside quite a bit (4 times against Bears & 7 times against Colts).
September 25th, 2021 at 5:39 pm
Let’s hope they both ball out tomorrow. Why does it have to be one or the other?
September 25th, 2021 at 8:13 pm
Don’t forget K Davis
September 25th, 2021 at 8:31 pm
It will probably be Nelson early on, with JTS coming in on passing downs.
September 25th, 2021 at 8:38 pm
K Davis is a DL vs a LB.
September 25th, 2021 at 11:17 pm
If we can’t get tons of pressure on Stafford, our defense is going to get smoked. Our outside linebackers have not been good this year and it’s looking like this game is going to be a shootout. Bucs 42 Rams 38
September 25th, 2021 at 11:28 pm
Agree, I think Nelson will start but we’ll see both of them a lot. They need to get in the passing lanes with arms up while Shaq goes relentlessly around the edge and Ves and Suh push the middle.
They’ll run but for the most part it’s going to be a lot of short to medium passes. The DBs need to step up and play tight.
This whole game is going to be one in the trenches on both sides of the ball
September 25th, 2021 at 11:34 pm
Nelson is super solid and Jpp hasn’t been lifting weights for a reason and now you know…….. Jpp is a stud and ultra talented , I hv watched his game after the weights claim and he is great side to side ( actually better) but , dude he doesn’t even belong rushing , so so weak !! Listen here folks it may be 50 percent strength and 50 percent techniques, I have watched JPP very closely after his absurd I don’t lift weights comment and I gotta tell ya he can’t rush a lick !! He is now Kieth McCants with a (heart )protecting a 10 yr NFL Shoulder !!! Thanks Jpp for all you hv DONE !!
September 26th, 2021 at 9:37 am
Incidentally, all of last week’s batted balls resulted in picks, two TDs.
September 26th, 2021 at 1:44 pm
Batting down passes was one of his strengths in college.