Tag: Quenton Nelson

Notre Dame’s offensive line is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award

The Irish OL has been dominant this fall

Notre Dame football’s offensive line has had some issues this season with injuries, but that hasn’t stopped them from performing at an extremely high level.

The starting group of Anthonie Knapp, Bill Schrauth, Pat Coogan, Rocco Spindler, Aamil Wagner along with backups Sam Pendleton and Tosh Baker, have all been great when they’ve stepped on the field.

The unit helped the runners average 6 yards-per-carry while allowing just 12 sacks through nine games. That was enough for the Joe Moore Award to name the Notre Dame offensive line as one of its semifinalists for the best group in the country. A good amount of credit is due to the coaching of Joe Rudolph.

While the award is fairly new, it started in 2015, the Irish already have one of its former line take home the honors in 2017. That unit was highlighted by [autotag]Quenton Nelson[/autotag], who was an All-American that year, before getting drafted at No. 6 overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

With a few more impressive performances from the Notre Dame offensive line, there is a very good possibility that a second Joe Moore Award is heading to South Bend.

Notre Dame offensive lineman Aamil Wagner (59) throws wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) into the air after a Greathouse touchdown during a NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Louisville at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in South Bend.

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Steelers-Colts matchups to watch: Cameron Heyward vs. Quenton Nelson

The matchup between Cam Heyward and Quenton Nelson is a battle between two of the very best at their respective positions. Steelers will need Heyward to pull out all the stops in this meeting, as it could determine the outcome of the game.

In Week 4, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ impressive defensive line meets one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. No matchup is more important than the heart of the Steelers’ defensive line—Cameron Heyward—facing one of the league’s most violent guards, Colts’ Quenton Nelson. 

Nelson is one of the best pass-protecting guards in the league: zero sacks, zero quarterback hits, and zero pressures allowed through 87 passing plays in three games. The running lanes for star RB Jonathan Taylor are often created by four-time All-Pro Nelson’s elite run blocking.

Heyward is turning back the clock, still proving he has elite performances left in the tank at 35 years old. Through 66 passing plays, Heyward has recorded 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 10 pressures. His run defense has been outstanding, plugging up run lanes, absorbing double teams, and even securing 2 tackles for loss. Pittsburgh will need this matchup to swing in their favor, or they could fall victim to a potential trap game in Indianapolis.

The Steelers and Colts lock horns this Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m. EST, with the Steelers looking to improve their undefeated record to 4-0. 

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Colts guard Quenton Nelson opted against delivering a dangerous blindside block in the nicest way possible

Imagine what would’ve happened 20 years ago.

Football is a brutal sport. And even as the league looks to take dangerous hits and blocks out of the game, you’re still going to see major contact and injuries. That’s just the nature of such a violent game.

But you just know that the league office is proud of Colts guard Quenton Nelson. He had a chance to de-cleat an opponent, but instead, he found a *legal* way to be effective in his block without putting an opponent’s health at risk.

The play in question happened during Sunday’s Week 2 matchup between the Colts and Packers, and we could see as the Packers’ Kingsley Enagbare spun off pass protection to pursue Anthony Richardson out of the pocket. As he was doing that, he was totally unaware of Nelson.

At the speed Enagbare was pursuing Richardson, Nelson easily could have planted his feet and unleashed a devastating blindside block on Enagbare. Of course, it likely would have been a penalty (and cause a potential injury). So, Nelson took the nicest approach ever. He extended his arm and kindly guided Enagbare away from that pursuit.

And somehow, Enagbare still fell pretty hard. Imagine if that happened 20 years ago — it would be a totally different story for Enagbare.

Fans still found the clip hilarious, though. The game really has changed.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

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Execs, coaches, scouts rank Colts’ Quenton Nelson among top interior OL

Working with execs, coaches, and scouts, ESPN ranked the top 10 interior OL, which included the Colts’ Quenton Nelson near the top.

With the help of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler ranked the top 10 interior offensive linemen ahead of the 2024 season. Featured on the list was the Colts’ left guard Quenton Nelson.

Below is a look at what went into this ranking process:

“Voters give us their best 10 players at a position, then we compile the results and rank candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, nearly 80 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed help us break any ties.”

The 2023 season was a bounce-back year for the Colts’ offensive line as a whole, and a resurgence from Nelson played a key part in that. Collectively, the Colts would finish the year top 10 in both yards per carry and pressure rate.

Of Nelson’s 1,141 total snaps last season, 686 came in pass protection, with him allowing just one sack and 21 pressures. Among all guards, Nelson was sixth in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric.

“I thought he was stellar — maybe his best season,” an AFC scout told ESPN.

Along with what Nelson brings to the offense with his own individual play, he is a leader and a force-multiplier, making those around him better. His presence, both on the field and off, played an important role in Bernhard Raimann’s growth in Years 2.

“That’s just huge,” said Raiman of playing next to Nelson. “The communication on the field, for me personally it’s huge because I’m right next to him, but his leadership as a whole for the entire offensive line, and just the consistency.

“I know where he’s going to be in pass protection, I know how he’s going to step in the run game. I know how I have to fit in double-teams with him to move the defensive tackle, and that just makes my game that much easier.”

However, although Nelson was ranked third on this list, one AFC executive wasn’t as impressed with his play last season.

“I think Nelson has always been a little overrated,” an AFC executive said to Fowler. “His highs are very high, and he can set a tone and dominate at times. I think he has slipped this past year, though.”

In addition to ranking Nelson among the best at his position group, ESPN also believes the Colts’ offensive line unit as a whole will be among the best as well, with all five starters from last season returning.

While much of the attention this offseason was focused on adding more playmaking around Anthony Richardson–which was needed–as GM Chris Ballard mentioned prior to the draft, success for a young quarterback begins up front with blocking and protecting.

“Like I said, protect,” said GM Chris Ballard before the NFL Draft. “Block and protect. Just look through the league, just look through the playoff teams and they all can block and protect. I think that’s critical. So that’s one.

“I remember Andrew (Luck) used to tell me all the time, ‘Chris, let’s get me protected. Give me guys who can catch it and get to the right spot, and I’ll make the rest work.’ Most of the good ones that’s how they roll. Do you want the superstar out there? Absolutely. But protection, to me, is always first and foremost.”

Along with ranking the top 10 players at guard or center, ESPN also mentioned several Honorable Mentions, and those who received some votes. Among those who received votes was Colts’ center Ryan Kelly.

Quenton Nelson on Colts’ QB Anthony Richardson: ‘He’s a special dude’

On a recent appearance on the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast, Colts’ OL Quenton Nelson spoke about how “special” QB Anthony Richardson is.

Indianapolis Colts’ two-time All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson joined the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast and had some high praise for his quarterback Anthony Richardson.

“He’s an absolute freak,” Nelson said of Richardson. “Like he’s weighing in after practice at like 250 pounds. He’s ginormous.

“He can launch the ball and be accurate with it, too. The plays that he can make, some of the ones you’ve seen, the flashes of it. It’s like, oh my goodness, this guy is special.”

Richardson’s rookie season was cut short after only four games due to a season-ending shoulder injury.

He would finish the year completing 60 percent of his 84 passes at 6.9 yards per attempt with three touchdowns to one interception. Richardson would also rush for 136 yards and four more scores.

Although it was a small sample size, Richardson flashed his big play potential, both on the ground and through the air, and from week-to-week you could see progress being made as he adjusted to the NFL game.

“More polish than he gets credit for,” said Yahoo! Sports NFL analyst Nate Tice. “He’s not just a big freaky athlete, which is he is like. He’s a rare, rare athlete. He’s more of a true quarterback, and this is what he showed a little bit at Florida, and that’s why I was pretty high on him in the draft process.

“But I think he showed that those just those 4 games that he has a lot of calmness in the pocket. Sack mitigation. He doesn’t take a lot of negative plays.”

Rehabbing from his shoulder injury, Richardson was a full participant during OTAs, but would sit out the final minicamp practice for precautionary reasons. He will be a “full-go,” however, for training camp, according to GM Chris Ballard.

Ultimately, just how good the Colts are this season will be determined by Richardson’s level of play. With only 98 career dropbacks, there very well is still a learning curve that has to be navigated, but it’s not as if Richardson has to do it all on his own either.

Richardson will be playing behind a top offensive line unit, sharing the backfield with Jonathan Taylor, and he’ll have Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and AD Mitchell at receiver.

In addition to that, the continuity of being in Shane Steichen’s quarterback-friendly offense for a second season will provide Richardson with a strong foundation and a jumping-off point.

“Also,” added Nelson, “how he goes about his business. He’s not very vocal, I’d say, but he goes about his business in a way that he’s handling it, and he’s ready at all times. Yeah, he’s a special dude.”

Two Colts players make Pro Football Network’s All-Decade team

Pro Football Network put together its All-Decade team for the 2020s and two current members of the Colts are on it.

Although we may not even be halfway through the current decade, Pro Football Network put together its all-decade team from the 2020s and featured two current members of the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts’ Quenton Nelson was one of the four guards who were selected, along with Zack Martin, Joel Bitonio, and Joe Thuney. DeForest Buckner was one of four defensive tackles to make the list, joining Aaron Donald, Chris Jones, and Cameron Heyward.

Since the 2020 season, Nelson has made all four Pro Bowl teams this decade and was an All-Pro in 2020, the third time in his career he was selected. In three of the four seasons this decade, Nelson ranked top-16 among all guards in pass-blocking efficiency, including two seasons when he was in the top-six.

Nelson would miss some time in 2021 and gave up a career-high in sacks and pressures in 2022, but he looked much closer to his All-Pro form this past year, allowing just one sack, ranking third in PFF’s pass-blocking grade and sixth in pass-blocking efficiency.

“That’s just huge,” said Bernhard Raiman of playing next to Nelson. “The communication on the field, for me personally it’s huge because I’m right next to him, but his leadership as a whole for the entire offensive line, and just the consistency.

“I know where he’s going to be in pass protection, I know how he’s going to step in the run game. I know how I have to fit in double-teams with him to move the defensive tackle, and that just makes my game that much easier.”

Buckner, meanwhile, has been a disruptor since he arrived in Indianapolis for that 2020 season. In his four seasons with the Colts, Buckner has made two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team.

Production-wise, he has averaged almost 54 pressures per year during that span, along with eight sacks. Buckner has finished in the top-14 of all interior defenders in total pressures in each of the four seasons, including twice in the top-10, and he’s been top-12 each year in pass-rush win rate.

“DeForest has been the epitome of what it means to be a Colt the last four years,” GM Chris Ballard said in a statement released by the team following Buckner’s extension. “As one of the premier defensive tackles in the league, he is a destructive force on our defensive line. DeForest is one of the pillars of our locker room. His hard work, consistency, and approach to the game are vital to the success of our team.”

In addition to the high level of play and production that both Nelson and Buckner have brought to the football field, each of them are leaders for this Colts team off of it, as both Raimann and Ballard described.

Buckner’s two-year extension that he signed earlier this offseason will keep him with the Colts through the 2026 season. Nelson, who signed a four-year extension in 2022, will also be under contract through the 2026 season as well.

PFF ranks Colts’ Quenton Nelson among best guards in NFL

PFF put together its ranking of the top guards in the NFL and among the best was the Indianapolis Colts’ Quenton Nelson.

As Pro Football Focus continues on with their positional rankings, they’ve reached the guard position, where the Colts’ Quenton Nelson is among the best.

From Nos. 1-32, PFF put together its list of the top guards in football ahead of the 2024 season. Coming in at No. 11 was Nelson. At the top of the list was Chris Lindstrom, followed by Joe Thuney, Sam Cosmi, Tyler Smith, and Quinn Meinerz, rounding out the top-five.

Here is what PFF had to say about Nelson and his spot on this list:

“Nelson solidified himself as one of the league’s best guards in his first three years. He was a first-team All-Pro three times between 2018 and 2020, but an injury in 2021 affected his play, and he’s been slowly working his way back up to his previous levels. Nelson’s 70.8 PFF overall grade in 2023 ranked 15th, his highest mark since 2020, while his 80.3 pass-blocking grade ranked fourth.”

Nelson played 1,141 snaps last season, 686 of which came in pass protection. He allowed just one sack, according to PFF, and 21 pressures. He ranked sixth among all guards in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric.

In addition to Nelson’s individual performances, he is a force multiplier–making the players around him better. Nelson’s presence, both on and off the field was an important factor in the growth we saw from Bernhard Raimann in his second season.

“That’s just huge,” said Raiman of playing next to Nelson. “The communication on the field, for me personally it’s huge because I’m right next to him, but his leadership as a whole for the entire offensive line, and just the consistency.

“I know where he’s going to be in pass protection, I know how he’s going to step in the run game. I know how I have to fit in double-teams with him to move the defensive tackle, and that just makes my game that much easier.”

Naturally, much of the attention this offseason was on adding to the receiver position, and moving forward, much of it will be on Anthony Richardson’s return. However, as GM Chris Ballard mentioned prior to the draft, having consistent success on offense begins with blocking and protecting.

Moving the ball in the run game creates short down-and-distances, opening up the playbook for Shane Steichen and keeping defenses guessing. Time and space to throw from in the pocket are, of course, vital to regular success in the passing game.

Without those elements, however, offenses will face predictable passing situations, giving the defense the advantage, while as we all know, pressure leads to errant throws and turnovers.

As the old saying goes, if you can control the line of scrimmage, you can control the game, and the Colts are positioned very well to do just that. Along with Nelson, the Colts are returning all five of their starters up front–a unit that, as a whole, bounced back in 2023, ranking top-10 in both pressure rate and yards per carry.

Highlights from Colts OL Quenton Nelson’s offseason media availability

Colts offensive lineman Quenton Nelson met with the media recently. Here are the highlights from his offseason availability.

Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Quenton Nelson met with the media recently while players take part in offseason programs.

Here are the highlights from Nelson’s availability. To watch the full video, click here.

– “It’s great,” said Nelson about the vibes right now. He adds that it’s been a “much sharper” OTAs because of the continuity and experience gained last season for the team.

– Nelson on Anthony Richardson being back: “He’s everything you want in a quarterback.” Nelson adds that Richardson has been working hard, being a leader, on the details, and that “he’s looking good.”

– Nelson’s offseason routine throughout his career is constantly changing. It begins with him evaluating how the previous season went and then focusing on the key areas he needs to improve upon. There were a few focuses this offseason, but taking care of his body is the biggest priority.

– Nelson on Ryan Kelly: “Ryan’s my brother. He gives everything he can for this organization, and especially his guys on the offensive line.” Nelson adds that Kelly has been a leader since he arrived and someone he looked up to.

– “We had a good year as an offensive line. Guys stepped up,” said Nelson. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano does a good job of making sure everyone knows how important they are to that room–even the backups, who could be just one play away from being in the game. “To have the same line coming back, it’s great. We have stuff that we need to get better at, and we look forward to that challenge every day.”

– Nelson on Sparano: “I love Tony.” Having a coach that believes in you and gives 100 percent every day “that’s huge for you as a player because you want to match that and give the same to him.” Every player has their ‘why,’ and Sparano is “a big part of that why.”

– “They’re going to add to our room and fit in really well,” said Nelson about Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves. Nelson adds that he has texted both rookies, along with pointing out that Blake Freeland was relied on heavily as a rookie last season. “They mean a lot to our group and it’s great to have some youth in there.”

Colts’ highlights from 2024 Pro Bowl Games

Check out the Colts’ highlights from the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.

A quartet of Indianapolis Colts players represented the organization at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando over the weekend.

As the league continues to move further away from the traditional All-Star Game format, instead opting for a week of events and mini-games, the Colts were well-represented by some of the biggest leaders in the locker room.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew, left guard Quenton Nelson, center Ryan Kelly and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner all took part in the weekend events.

Minshew and Kelly were the only players to participate in Thursday’s skills showdown. Minshew competed in the Precision Passing event with the other Pro Bowl quarterbacks while Kelly competed in the snap shot event with the other centers.

From being mic’d up to shining in the flag football game to end the weekend, here are the highlights from the Colts players during the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.

2024 Pro Bowl Games: Date, time, how to watch, stream

Information on the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.

The Pro Bowl may not hold the same weight that it used to, but the NFL is still putting together an event for some of the best players around the league.

After the Pro Bowl skills showdown took place Thursday in Orlando, the games will take place Sunday afternoon.

The Colts have four players participating in the Pro Bowl Games. That includes left guard Quenton Nelson, center Ryan Kelly, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and quarterback Gardner Minshew.

How to Watch

Date: Sunday, Feb. 4
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Channel: ESPN/ABC
Streaming: fuboTV (try it free)

Games

  • Madden NFL head-to-head: A 2v2 matchup hosted by EA Sports.
  • Gridiron Gauntlet: A 6v6 obstacle course relay race (Buckner and Nelson participating)
  • Tug-of-War: A 5v5 competition (Buckner and Nelson participating)
  • Move the Chains: Each team of five players consisting only of offensive an defensive line must move 3,000 pounds of weights off a massive wall and be the first team to pull that 2,000-pound wall across the finish line.
  • Flag Football: (Minshew and Kelly participating)

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