Hawkeyes' Matt Nelson Expands Game from End to Tackle
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
Kennyfromminne
Well-Known Member
Lack of size and experience really has me worried. Usually we have studs up front, this could be a shaky start for the defense. We have stud linebackers but if they can't get off blocks it won't matter.
ibahawkeye
Well-Known Member
I would expect to see him move inside mostly on passing downs and I'm also thinking this is a good sign that a guy like AJ is ready to play allowing more depth at the DE spot for Matt to make this type of transition.
EstronHawkKing
Well-Known Member
like in 05?!
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Article says Matt Nelson is 270...I thought he played at 285 last year. I'm thinking he's bigger than 270...right?
tksirius
HN's Love Doctor
His U bio says 285. Do they weigh the official weights with full gear on?
I'd rather have a DT rotation of Bazzata, Lattimore and Nelson with Hesse/Reiff sprinkled in on some obvious passing downs than AJ. AJ will make more impact at DE than at DT. Especially this year since he's never played DT before and would be undersized doing it. Maybe if he gets bigger as the years go by throw him in there but we have enough smaller DTs we don't need another one when he can probably dominate right where his comfort zone is now compared to who we have at DE.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Hey...not trying to point out errors...I was expecting him to strap on the feedbag in anticipation of this move...and get to 290. It will be interesting to see him inside. I think he's going to be better there personally. He'll be quicker than most guards and is a big dude...with a long reach. He'll be a tough guy to get a ball past on a slant.
Agree, keep AJ and his quickness on the QBs blind side at DT. Turn him in to the sackmaster. Nothing better than seeing an opposing QB with happy feet. He's a true freshman and needs to concentrate on one position this year.
Joshbrown
Well-Known Member
Keep the tall guys at Defensive End. I like watching them swat down passes. Iowa has other guys who are lower to the ground who can help out in the middle.
And why do people keep saying we don't have experience on the D-line? This is like the 5th time I've seen it posted on this website. 3 of 4 starters return from last year! (smh)
And why do people keep saying we don't have experience on the D-line? This is like the 5th time I've seen it posted on this website. 3 of 4 starters return from last year! (smh)
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
I get what you are saying about tall DE's but I'd rather see our DE's getting around the offensive tackles and punishing opposing QBs. Matt Nelson inside makes perfect sense because if you look for inexperience, it's the DT position. Sure Bazata has played, but Lattimore, Reiff, and others haven't played much...or started a game for Iowa. That's inexperience.
The lack of weight doesn't mean a strength deficit. Late in the game it can wear out the lighter guy, but with a lot of rotation, our DT's will be good. There are really good d tackles in college football who aren't 320 lbs. It matters a lot more to teams who play the 3-4.
hawkeyebob62
Well-Known Member
Plus, it sounds like Matt is being used inside situationally, not as a "permanent" move. It's like Ballard moving inside in order to get Binns on the field at DE in 2009, then Mike Daniels going at DT and moving Ballard back outside in 2010.
deanvogs
Well-Known Member
Yep, totatlly agree here. Clayborn played DE at 280-285. Nelson was playing DE at 285. AJ is just going to be too good at DE to move him inside. He is currently at 270, and will be between 280-290 by his Jr year after which he goes pro.
I guess I'm saying it isn't like Iowa has had small Strong side DE. Plus it is telling that we are moving season vets inside already, making way for AJ at DE.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
I don't think it's just AJ why Matt Nelson is inside. I heard there are a few guys, Simon/Golston, pushing for time at DE. We have a very good situation there.
Joshbrown
Well-Known Member
I just think our fan base has been negatively affected by 18 straight years of being told we rebuild every year . . . which is horse crap. Iowa reloads most years. But KF has been rewarded for lowering expectations. We all know why he does it. Cuz then when you have a 2015 the media; the fans and everyone else think a miracle has happened. Remember when KF said a few years ago: "If we keep winning like this we're going to a good bowl game and get our butts kicked." I don't want a coach who predicts losses in bowl games. KF has bought his own schtick and so has the fan base; gary barta and the gutless sports media. Other teams have far less experience returning and you don't see them using it as an excuse to fail.
RobHowe
Administrator
I agree. We're developing good depth on the edge and are deeper there than DT. That's why Noah Shannon and Tyler Linderbaum were such important gets in the '18 class.
