Anthony Nelson--NFL

[99topdawg]

I've never heard his pro prospects, but given his size, experience, and athletic ability, I always thought he'd get a shot, but I just saw this in a mock draft for this year and it shocked me seeing his name mentioned like this:

"It's (a guard) obviously not a "WOW" pick, but it's a very solid pick as there are very hungry, talented EDGE players later in this draft who can get after the QB. Perhaps Indy reverses the order, going with a lower-round pick this year, and next year getting a guy like Clelin Ferrell of Clemson, Montez Sweat of Mississippi State, or Anthony Nelson of Iowa."

 

[Northside Hawk]

If nothing else, Indianapolis has a history of drafting Iowa players.

Scott Slutzker
Dallas Clark
Bob Sanders
Pat Angerer

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe they also gave T. Smith a shot. And there may have been others that flew mostly under the radar.

 

[Fryowa]

If nothing else, Indianapolis has a history of drafting Iowa players.

Scott Slutzker
Dallas Clark
Bob Sanders
Pat Angerer

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe they also gave T. Smith a shot. And there may have been others that flew mostly under the radar.

Austin Blythe

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Austin Blythe

Yup I think he was in LA at the end of the year and played in the playoffs. Andrew Donnal is with Rams too I think.

 

[Fryowa]

I've never heard his pro prospects, but given his size, experience, and athletic ability, I always thought he'd get a shot, but I just saw this in a mock draft for this year and it shocked me seeing his name mentioned like this:

"It's (a guard) obviously not a "WOW" pick, but it's a very solid pick as there are very hungry, talented EDGE players later in this draft who can get after the QB. Perhaps Indy reverses the order, going with a lower-round pick this year, and next year getting a guy like Clelin Ferrell of Clemson, Montez Sweat of Mississippi State, or Anthony Nelson of Iowa."

He'll definitely play pro ball. 7.5 sacks (team leader) as a sophomore and 13.5 total through his first two years is crazy. He was second on the team in 2016 as a freshman behind Jaleel Johnson.

Nelson was also 5th in sacks last year in the B1G. As of 2016 the average DE size in the NFL was 6'4", 275 lbs, so he's already there as a sophomore. I'd think Doyle could put 10 lbs on him pretty easily if he felt like he needed to. The NFL is definitely looking for pass rushing-type DEs rather than containment; I see good things in the kid's future.

 

[Fryowa]

Yup I think he was in LA at the end of the year and played in the playoffs. Andrew Donnal is with Rams too I think.

Donnal was with the Rams, he's in Baltimore now.

 

[Northside Hawk]

Austin Blythe

Yes, thank you.

Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome, who didn't have a first round pick in 2004, wanted Bob Sanders bad with his second round pick. As the second round progressed, he called around attempting to trade up. He was literally on the phone with San Francisco, three spots behind Indy, and ready to make the trade when the word came in that the Colts drafted Sanders. Newsome sighed and quitely told San Francisco "They just took my guy."

Would that have been something or what? Ed Reed and Bob Sanders as tandem safeties. Perhaps Big Ben would still be chasing his ring.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Yes, thank you.

Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome, who didn't have a first round pick in 2004, wanted Bob Sanders bad with his second round pick. As the second round progressed, he called around attempting to trade up. He was literally on the phone with San Francisco, three spots behind Indy, and ready to make the trade when the word came in that the Colts drafted Sanders. Newsome sighed and quitely told San Francisco "They just took my guy."

Would that have been something or what? Ed Reed and Bob Sanders as tandem safeties. Perhaps Big Ben would still be chasing his ring.

I hadn't heard that story that's awesome. I love hearing about all the woulda/coulda/almost happened dealings with the draft. And yeah what a secondary and defense overall that woulda been geesh..

 

[Northside Hawk]

I hadn't heard that story that's awesome. I love hearing about all the woulda/coulda/almost happened dealings with the draft. And yeah what a secondary and defense overall that woulda been geesh..

It's from "Next Man Up" by John Feinstein. He covered the Ravens that season and got to see first hand one of the most under-reported stories in sports-coaching staff dissension. It played a big factor in dragging the Ravens, who had Super Bowl aspirations, down to 9-7 and a playoff no show. There were a lot of petulant coaches on that staff and a lot of inner turmoil. Billick had his hands full. Yet, you never hear stories like that. It's always the players. While dated, I recommend the book.

Kirk Ferentz gets a couple mentions in that book. He was Baltimore's offensive line coach when they abondoned Cleveland in 1996. Newsome wanted to draft Jonathon Ogden with the fifth overall pick, but had two good offensive tackles. Newsome asked Kirk if Ogden could play guard for a year or two. Ferentz said absolutely. The fans and media wanted Lawrence Phillips. Newsome, partially influenced by Kirk's comment, took Ogden, who is one of the two best players in Ravens history. It may help explain why Ozzie, and Kirk, are still employed over twenty years later.

Another team that had coaching staff dissention was the 2005 Wisconsin Badgers when Barry publicly announced that Bret Bielema would replace him. Well, some assistants knew they wouldn't be coming back and made a big stink about it. Some made their feelings clear to their position players. It got so bad that, at the team's end of the year awards dinner, the wives of the coaches who didn't think they would be retained wouldn't sit at the same table of the wives and coaches who would. Ugly scene all around and perhaps a reason why you should wait until the end of the season to publicly handpick a successor.

That is from Barry's book "Don't Flinch" which is as good a sports biography as there is. Barry tells unbelievable stories, has great insight, and leaves plenty of room for Hawkeye love. And I still haven't forgiven him for knocking off Dubuque Hempstead for the state championship in 1978

 

[Hawkfnntn]

It's from "Next Man Up" by John Feinstein. He covered the Ravens that season and got to see first hand one of the most under-reported stories in sports-coaching staff dissension. It played a big factor in dragging the Ravens, who had Super Bowl aspirations, down to 9-7 and a playoff no show. There were a lot of petulant coaches on that staff and a lot of inner turmoil. Billick had his hands full. Yet, you never hear stories like that. It's always the players. While dated, I recommend the book.

Kirk Ferentz gets a couple mentions in that book. He was Baltimore's offensive line coach when they abondoned Cleveland in 1996. Newsome wanted to draft Jonathon Ogden with the fifth overall pick, but had two good offensive tackles. Newsome asked Kirk if Ogden could play guard for a year or two. Ferentz said absolutely. The fans and media wanted Lawrence Phillips. Newsome, partially influenced by Kirk's comment, took Ogden, who is one of the two best players in Ravens history. It may help explain why Ozzie, and Kirk, are still employed over twenty years later.

Another team that had coaching staff dissention was the 2005 Wisconsin Badgers when Barry publicly announced that Bret Bielema would replace him. Well, some assistants knew they wouldn't be coming back and made a big stink about it. Some made their feelings clear to their position players. It got so bad that, at the team's end of the year awards dinner, the wives of the coaches who didn't think they would be retained wouldn't sit at the same table of the wives and coaches who would. Ugly scene all around and perhaps a reason why you should wait until the end of the season to publicly handpick a successor.

That is from Barry's book "Don't Flinch" which is as good a sports biography as there is. Barry tells unbelievable stories, has great insight, and leaves plenty of room for Hawkeye love. And I still haven't forgiven him for knocking off Dubuque Hempstead for the state championship in 1978

That's a lot of good stuff. It is nuts how at the time Phillips was so so highly thought of. The hindsight of things like that amazes me and I love hearing all the opinions of the folks involved on it.

That Wisconsin story is crazy but pretty darn believable. Timing is everything with that business. Assistants have to have their heads on a swivel just about. Most aren't as fortunate as those that have been at Iowa for a long time.

 

[Northside Hawk]

That's a lot of good stuff. It is nuts how at the time Phillips was so so highly thought of. The hindsight of things like that amazes me and I love hearing all the opinions of the folks involved on it.

That Wisconsin story is crazy but pretty darn believable. Timing is everything with that business. Assistants have to have their heads on a swivel just about. Most aren't as fortunate as those that have been at Iowa for a long time.

Just look at Peyton Manning/Ryan Leaf. Most teams had them rated dead even coming out of college. One turned out to be arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. The other turned out to be perhaps the biggest head case to ever play the game. Perhaps thats why the combine has these Wunderlich type tests, especially for quarterbacks. Legend has it that Indianapolis asked Manning and Leaf the same question:. What would you do if taken #1 overall? Manning answered that he would start studying the team playbook immediately. Leaf said he would go party in Las Vegas.

Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who the Colts would pick.

I wonder if San Diego asked them the same question. It took them six more years to solidify their QB situation. Wonder if they regret not trading that pick down?

Hayden deserves a lot of credit for keeping that staff together. He had ego, but many head coaches would have let ego get in the way, felt threatened by hiring that much talent underneath them, and gotten rid of anyone deemed a threat to their position. But that's not how Hayden did things.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Just look at Peyton Manning/Ryan Leaf. Most teams had them rated dead even coming out of college. One turned out to be arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. The other turned out to be perhaps the biggest head case to ever play the game. Perhaps thats why the combine has these Wunderlich type tests, especially for quarterbacks. Legend has it that Indianapolis asked Manning and Leaf the same question:. What would you do if taken #1 overall? Manning answered that he would start studying the team playbook immediately. Leaf said he would go party in Las Vegas.

Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who the Colts would pick.

I wonder if San Diego asked them the same question. It took them six more years to solidify their QB situation. Wonder if they regret not trading that pick down?

Hayden deserves a lot of credit for keeping that staff together. He had ego, but many head coaches would have let ego get in the way, felt threatened by hiring that much talent underneath them, and gotten rid of anyone deemed a threat to their position. But that's not how Hayden did things.

The more time that's gone by the more appreciation I hope we all have for what he did. There's no way any modern day coach could put a staff like that together and hold on to them for any period of time. The respect all those coaches had for him and still do is off the charts. He had that chip on his shoulder from when he was in TX not being able to climb the ladder. Yet he knew he was a good coach and had a vision of how he wanted to run a program. All he needed was the opportunity. We are all the beneficiaries of Iowa hiring him.

 

[Northside Hawk]

The more time that's gone by the more appreciation I hope we all have for what he did. There's no way any modern day coach could put a staff like that together and hold on to them for any period of time. The respect all those coaches had for him and still do is off the charts. He had that chip on his shoulder from when he was in TX not being able to climb the ladder. Yet he knew he was a good coach and had a vision of how he wanted to run a program. All he needed was the opportunity. We are all the beneficiaries of Iowa hiring him.

Not to mention the resistance in Texas to recruiting African American athletes. He said screw it and signed Jerry Levias. No one would blink today but 1968 in Texas was a different time.

That was probably his greatest coaching accomplishment.

Go back to one of last month's threads and read my post on what happened when Hunter Rawlings tried to butt heads with him. May have been a basketball thread discussing Ray Thompson. Or get his book "High Porch Picnic"

EDIT: Further evidence that Hayden was a man of his (ethical) word. He refused to break the rules when he was head coach at SMU. He kept the "boosters" etc. at bay and kept the dirt and slime out of the program. He was fired at the end of the 1972 season for reasons that we're never clearly explained to him. Over time, those reasons were explained clearly enough. SMU became the cesspool of college football, received the death penalty, and has never completely recovered. Was featured in an excellent 30 for 30.

Wasn't Mark Shapiro the executive producer of those 30 for 30 episodes? Iowa alum. Had him in a couple classes in the Becker building. He created the ESPN classic channel.

 

[Lumberman]

Perhaps the most under-appreciated guy in all of Iowa sports is the guy that hired Hayden, Lute, Gable, Mr. Davis and C. Vivian Stringer.

Bump Elliott had an incredible eye for talent.

 

[homes]

Perhaps the most under-appreciated guy in all of Iowa sports is the guy that hired Hayden, Lute, Gable, Mr. Davis and C. Vivian Stringer.

Bump Elliott had an incredible eye for talent.

Agree. A lot was riding on the Hayden hire for Bump, as he had struck out with Lauterbur and Commings. If it hadn't worked out, he was probably gone as the AD, even though he had hired Lute and Gable by then. A testament to his eye for talent in hiring Hayden, and the importance of football in the landscape of Iowa athletics.

What that has to do with Anthony Nelson in the NFL, I'm not sure, but the Anthony Nelson discussion didn't even make it to the first response.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Agree. A lot was riding on the Hayden hire for Bump, as he had struck out with Lauterbur and Commings. If it hadn't worked out, he was probably gone as the AD, even though he had hired Lute and Gable by then. A testament to his eye for talent in hiring Hayden, and the importance of football in the landscape of Iowa athletics.

What that has to do with Anthony Nelson in the NFL, I'm not sure, but the Anthony Nelson discussion didn't even make it to the first response.

Ah yes Anthony Nelson thread. haha. It is crazy how far off the tracks some of these go but it's fun.

 

[Fryowa]

Agree. A lot was riding on the Hayden hire for Bump, as he had struck out with Lauterbur and Commings. If it hadn't worked out, he was probably gone as the AD, even though he had hired Lute and Gable by then. A testament to his eye for talent in hiring Hayden, and the importance of football in the landscape of Iowa athletics.

What that has to do with Anthony Nelson in the NFL, I'm not sure, but the Anthony Nelson discussion didn't even make it to the first response.

I tried to bring it back on #5.

 

[Denverhawk1]

Perhaps the most under-appreciated guy in all of Iowa sports is the guy that hired Hayden, Lute, Gable, Mr. Davis and C. Vivian Stringer.

Bump Elliott had an incredible eye for talent.

This is a great statement.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

It's from "Next Man Up" by John Feinstein. He covered the Ravens that season and got to see first hand one of the most under-reported stories in sports-coaching staff dissension. It played a big factor in dragging the Ravens, who had Super Bowl aspirations, down to 9-7 and a playoff no show. There were a lot of petulant coaches on that staff and a lot of inner turmoil. Billick had his hands full. Yet, you never hear stories like that. It's always the players. While dated, I recommend the book.

Kirk Ferentz gets a couple mentions in that book. He was Baltimore's offensive line coach when they abondoned Cleveland in 1996. Newsome wanted to draft Jonathon Ogden with the fifth overall pick, but had two good offensive tackles. Newsome asked Kirk if Ogden could play guard for a year or two. Ferentz said absolutely. The fans and media wanted Lawrence Phillips. Newsome, partially influenced by Kirk's comment, took Ogden, who is one of the two best players in Ravens history. It may help explain why Ozzie, and Kirk, are still employed over twenty years later.

Another team that had coaching staff dissention was the 2005 Wisconsin Badgers when Barry publicly announced that Bret Bielema would replace him. Well, some assistants knew they wouldn't be coming back and made a big stink about it. Some made their feelings clear to their position players. It got so bad that, at the team's end of the year awards dinner, the wives of the coaches who didn't think they would be retained wouldn't sit at the same table of the wives and coaches who would. Ugly scene all around and perhaps a reason why you should wait until the end of the season to publicly handpick a successor.

That is from Barry's book "Don't Flinch" which is as good a sports biography as there is. Barry tells unbelievable stories, has great insight, and leaves plenty of room for Hawkeye love. And I still haven't forgiven him for knocking off Dubuque Hempstead for the state championship in 1978

Wasn't Tim Carlsen on that Hempstead team?

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Perhaps the most under-appreciated guy in all of Iowa sports is the guy that hired Hayden, Lute, Gable, Mr. Davis and C. Vivian Stringer.

Bump Elliott had an incredible eye for talent.

As Bump said in Lamb and McGrane's book, "It took a few tries..." Bump also hired Lauterbur and Commings.