Spring Football: Rony Nelson, Defensive End Report

**bosco** · 04-07-2011, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by The_Architect

I'm speaking purely from a pass rushing perspective. He wasn't in the backfield much after the game @Texas. I won't disagree with your tackle numbers.

Hard to be in the backfield when you have a 300lbs burnt orange spider monkey clinging to you like a life preserver.

**4Cyclones** · 04-07-2011, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by bosco

Hard to be in the backfield when you have a 300lbs burnt orange spider monkey clinging to you like a life preserver.

Couldn't have said it better. Oh wait, I think I mentioned it above. Now that is some good ****!

**UNIGuy4Cy** · 04-07-2011, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by The_Architect

I'm speaking purely from a pass rushing perspective. He wasn't in the backfield much after the game @Texas. I won't disagree with your tackle numbers.

I will agree, he had issues getting off the double team after the Texas game. That will change this year as he has knows how to handle a double team. One thing to note at DE, you dont need your name called to make an impact. Just cause he didnt get the sack numbers doesnt mean he was not in the backfield.

**CylentButDeadly** · 04-07-2011, 11:35 AM

Lattimer was a surprise, but he really had two solid games (Texas game and the Nebraska game), but he was a non factor too often. Stats don't always tell the tale in football, and I was impressed by the way Maggitt finished the year. He was created pressure and was consistently filling his gap in run support, allowing Knott & Klein to make tackles at or near the line. I don't have a stat for it, but it seemed like to me teams ran better to Lattimer's side of the field.

**Yes13** · 04-07-2011, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by CylentButDeadly

Lattimer was a surprise, but he really had two solid games (Texas game and the Nebraska game), but he was a non factor too often. Stats don't always tell the tale in football, and I was impressed by the way Maggitt finished the year. He was created pressure and was consistently filling his gap in run support, allowing Knott & Klein to make tackles at or near the line. I don't have a stat for it, but it seemed like to me teams ran better to Lattimer's side of the field.

This was the best part. Maggit never got a sack, but he was the most consistent pass rusher. He was also the best against the run. Against the run is where Maggitt and Lattimer made the biggest impact after the Texas game. They aren't the biggest and can't "stuff" the run the old fashioned way, but they are quick enough to get around the O-tackle and fill their gap. Maggitt was great at this, Lattimer was pretty good at it, Neal and Parker didn't/couldn't do it. A lot of people blame our DTs for our bad rush defense. I think Parker and Neal were by far our weakest link.

**Tre4ISU** · 04-07-2011, 11:45 AM

Lattimer isn't going to be a guy that is in on every play. He just isn't that type. He is going to be the guy teams sometimes try to take advantage of because of his aggressiveness but at the same time he will make big plays. I'll take that on one end.

**CylentButDeadly** · 04-07-2011, 11:54 AM

I think we all can agree that they compliment each other. Lattimer as the rush end and Maggitt as the strongside run support end. I just thought it was egregious to suggest that the rest of the defense played better solely because of Lattimer. That's an absurd suggestion to make.

**StLouisClone** · 04-07-2011, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Yes13

A lot of people blame our DTs for our bad rush defense. I think Parker and Neal were by far our weakest link.

I respect all Cyclones just for choosing ISU, but Parker should have never been a 5-year starter (yes 5 years - he was the starter on opening day during his redshirt year). Maybe he was the best we had during his time at ISU. If so, that's unfortunate too. We didn't go to a bowl game during any of the four years he stayed healthy.

**BigLame** · 04-07-2011, 12:31 PM

As long as Rony is effective in whatever role he is counted on to play, then we will be a better team.
I agree with the sentiment that our D's improvement was not due solely to Lattimer's rise.
However, emotion & passion are a big part of playing football, and Lattimer's style of play can be contagious, & I think it was and needs to be this coming season - particularly for our defense.
Obviously, this energy has to be under control - on the field (avoid stupid penalities) and off the field (legal issues)

**Clone9** · 04-07-2011, 01:13 PM

1st and 10 - Maggitt & Lattimer
3rd and 5 - Maggitt & Lattimer
2nd and <5 - Maggitt & Neal
3rd and 10+ - Nelson and Lattimer

**RustShack** · 04-07-2011, 01:47 PM

Parker was pretty good and on the rise until he got smacked by that Iowa Lineman. He was never the same since.

As for Nelson, hopefully he can get his size back up before the season starts.

Nelson and Lattimer might be our best combo on passing downs, and Maggitt and Neal on passing downs. I think a lot of the time it will be a mix, and it should be Maggitt and Lattimer as soon as he gets back. Hopefully Nelson can live up to last years hype and unseat one of them.

**ChrisMWilliams** · 04-07-2011, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by CylentButDeadly

I think we all can agree that they compliment each other. Lattimer as the rush end and Maggitt as the strongside run support end. I just thought it was egregious to suggest that the rest of the defense played better solely because of Lattimer. That's an absurd suggestion to make.

My point was that when Lattimer emerged as a legitimate Big 12 DE, the other guys took less snaps, which made their productivity go up.

Go watch the video at Cyclones.com. Curtis Bray said it. I didn't pull this out of nowhere.