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The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the process of preparing for the Indianapolis Colts for a must-win game this Sunday. One of the stars they’ve likely been paying extra attention to is guard Quenton Nelson, who is one of the best players in the league. With that being the case, Jags coach Doug Marrone (a former offensive line coach himself) was asked about the second-year player and praised him by mentioning with two of his former offensive lineman in Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks.
“Probably. I’ve been fortunate, I’ve been around. When I was in New Orleans, I felt like I had the two best guards in the league with Jahri [Evans] and Carl Nicks,” said Marrone. “Very fortune to coach those guys. I think Quenton’s one of the best guards that I’ve seen throughout my whole time in the NFL. He’s an excellent football player.”
Afterward, Marrone went into the specifics of what makes Nelson elite, adding that he’s truly a student of the guard position.
“Strength, speed. Just finish-ability. Leverage, technique,” Marrone said about the traits in which make Nelson good. “I think if someone’s going to go draft a guard, and you’re a coach, and you want to go into management, you say, ’Hey, get me a guy like [Quenton].’ He’s an excellent, excellent, football player and he’s been an excellent football player from high school on up. From high school, went to Notre Dame, Harry [Hiestand] coached him at Notre Dame, he’s an NFL [offensive] line coach, he’s back in the NFL now. So technically, from that start, he’s been technically sound and he’s a master at what he does.”
Nelson has absolutely been a force of nature since entering the league and even during his time in Notre Dame. Some fans questioned Colts general manager Chris Ballard for taking him with the No. 6 selection of last year’s draft, however, he’s proven it was a smart move by earning Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro honors as a rookie. He also earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.3 last year and has drastically improved as a player this year by upping his grade to a current figure of 89.4.
On film, Nelson is the all-around type of lineman the Jags could use in the interior. He’s nasty as a run blocker and is technically sound as a pass protector. With Sunday’s game being one in which will be won in the trenches, the Jags’ defensive line could have their work cut out for them against the young ascending talent.