Strip-Sack Star (Again) Anthony Nelson
January 1st, 2023
Crushing blow to Carolina.
When Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett was lost for the season with a blown Achilles, Joe lamented that teams don’t win Super Bowls after losing their best edge rusher midseason and not replacing him.
Joe still believes that to be the case, but Joe also is damn impressed by the big-play surge from Shaq’s replacement, Anthony Nelson.
Nelson’s fourth-quarter strip-sack today deep in Panthers territory made it two weeks in a row that he pulled off that feat to spark a furious Bucs comeback victory.
Tom Brady is the legend of those comeback wins, but where would the Bucs be without Nelson’s heroics? Joe doesn’t want to find out.
With the Bucs leading 24-21, Nelson took Panthers starting left tackle and 2022 No. 6 overall draft pick Ikem Ekwonu to school and blasted the ball from Panthers QB Sam Darnold’s blind side. Darnold had no chance (video below).
Vita Vea recovered on the Panthers’ 6 yard line and the Bucs punched in a desperately needed touchdown to seal the 30-24 win.
Nelson leads Bucs edge rushers with 5 1/2 sacks. He is setting himself up to clean up in free agency. Not bad for a Jason Licht fourth-round pick.
Gene Deckerhoff calls a huge fumble forced by Anthony Nelson, recovered by Vita Vea to make it First and Goal Bucs #GoBucs #CARvsTB pic.twitter.com/5jJExUPeQr
— Bucs Rays Bolts (@BucsRaysBoltsYT) January 1, 2023
January 1st, 2023 at 6:39 pm
Another Bucs player who came to play today with all the marbles on the line, and produced. Great job, Mr. Nelson!
January 1st, 2023 at 6:41 pm
Nelson’s play was great. But please don’t forget about Vea running full speed and managing to dive on that loose ball flopping in every direction. That was a hell of an athletic play by the big guy.
January 1st, 2023 at 6:51 pm
Lol! best moment of the game and Gene Deckerhoff does it justice!
January 1st, 2023 at 6:56 pm
Best part was Vea diving for that ball! You weren’t getting that ball out from under that monster! Haha great seeing him dive for it
January 1st, 2023 at 6:58 pm
So much better than what 9 shows on film.
January 1st, 2023 at 7:18 pm
Nelson keeps showing up and out – awesome! Great game. Fired up!
January 1st, 2023 at 7:30 pm
How did that ball not blow up when Vita fell on it?
January 1st, 2023 at 8:20 pm
Loved Nelson’s play. Loved Vita’s play even more!!!
January 1st, 2023 at 8:41 pm
Man I am going to miss Gene calling these games, already miss him on the Noles broadcasts. Hopefully he will be able to announce one after the Bucs/Dallas playoff game!
January 1st, 2023 at 9:11 pm
I would start him over jts when Barrett is healthy … He has more sacks and has played about half the snaps of jts for the year! He plays the run better too and seems to come up big when you need him the most! That’s what great players do! Jts gets the pressure but not the drops!
January 1st, 2023 at 9:44 pm
huge play!! i was jumping and screaming in my house.. My neighbors surely think im a maniac on sundays from 1 to 4..haha
January 1st, 2023 at 9:46 pm
joe.. btw.. yall are killing me with the side bikini ads.. not fair brother..haha
January 3rd, 2023 at 6:53 am
LFGO GUYS!!!!! KEEP IT UP!!!
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:53 am
Wow been living away from Tampa for many years. I just now relize how much I miss Mean Gene Deckerhoff! Nelson has truly stepped up and taken advantage of the opportunity! Hear that JTS?