Walter F’n Nolen

[BritCard]

I would argue it's hand usage and balance.

Honestly, it's all of them. But one thing all great interior rushers have is good lateral movement.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Nothing more disruptive to an offense than pressure up the middle - so far so good with Nolen.

 

[Shane]

He’s the DT version of jj Watt

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[BritCard]

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Clear facemask on that 3rd play

 

[JCSunsfan]

Clear facemask on that 3rd play

Did he get the facemask or the collar, I couldn't tell for sure. A hold at best. When offensive linemen have to resort to that, you know you are having an impact.

 

[jf-08]

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That first play was a great tackle on Tony Dorsett.

 

[jf-08]

Dude is a gang.

 

[GatorAZ]

Feel that? It’s Monti’s seat getting cooler.

 

[Totally_Red]

Feel that? It’s Monti’s seat getting cooler.

2025 draft is looking better every week.

 

[Harry]

Worth repeating what I said about Nolen on April 25th when he was drafted.
“
I used the above description because I think I’ve finally figured Ossenfort out. He really studies things thoroughly and looks down the road before making selections. I had predicted Grant here, but he was surprisingly long gone. I’m happy with Nolen who I and others predicted just before his selection. The reason was simple. DTs have been historically hard to come by and this year featured a bumper crop. This opportunity might not come again for several seasons, especially if the Cards are picking late. Ossenfort read the moment correctly.

I had predicted Grant because being conservative myself, I liked his bulk for anchoring. I thought his penetrating abilities would continue to develop. I know everyone wants to spot the next Donald. That would be a lot like going bird watching and claiming you saw a pterodactyl. No one can predict a Donald outcome from a pick. I will add this. If any DT in this draft approaches Donald’s skill level, it’s Nolen. He’d have a long way to go, but he might just have the skill set.

If the Cards can get the most out of Nolen, a Gannon famous trait, this guy can be awesome. BTW, contrary to some rumors, he only left A&M because Jumbo Fisher was fired and so Nolen’s DL coach left.

Nolen looks small is by today’s standards, but he can anchor. He locks his post leg and firmly plants it in the ground. Whether a single blocker or a double-team, he’s almost impossible to move. Add to that he’s an extremely secure tackler. He has great hands. If he locks them on you, you’re going to go down. He played against some of the top OLs in the game and handled them cleanly.

He is Cool Papa Bell quick. They’d say of Bell he could switch off the lights and be in bed before it got dark. Nolen consistently penetrates gaps while OLs are still trying to set up, this often results holding or early movement calls. In addition to a solid bull rush, he has a nice swim move. Once in a gap he proceeds forward, re-establishes his balance and can totally disrupt plays and pockets. He stacks up TFLs. The NFL will be tougher, but Nolen has the knack. He has exceptional hands, using them to slap, punch and stab. He is superior at using leverage. He plays low often getting under taller linemen and forcing them upright before knocking them aside. In penetrating he’s often in position to simply shove would be blockers aside. He can be pretty nasty and I’d say the Cards could use more of that on their DL. Nolen will need to keep his composure (Campbell influence should help).

He’ll have to be wary of trap blocks, but he has the smarts to adjust. Despite what I see as baseless claims, he has a good motor. While not possessing great speed his agility, quickness and tackling proficiency allows him to make plays in pursuit.

I expect to see the Cards to design several stunts to take advantage of his quickness. They exploited those in college to great impact. Nolen plays with so much intensity the Cards will need to rotate him. Campbell will not only be a great mentor, but he will provide an excellent change of pace. He should be facing linemen Nolen has been beating up. Nolen takes instruction well and almost unbelievably still has likely not reached his ceiling. The Cards have one of the best teaching set of coaches in the league. This should be a terrific pairing.

There’s a great deal to be excited about with this pick. He’ll be at least a rotation player immediately; likely quickly becoming a starter. He can be moved down the line if needed. He’s their most exciting linemen since Eric Swann in my opinion.”

 

[Ronin]

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[BritCard]

My favorite play is actually the 2nd one here where he stacks the Guard, fills the gap and stuffs the run at the LOS. That's big boy D line play you don't normally see from a rookie.

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[BritCard]

It's nice to see other fans lamenting missing out on our draft pick for a change

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[Russ Smith]

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Shows all the good plays but the sack is the one they give you multiple angles. Calais draws a double so you see 93 in the middle with a guy on each arm, shows you just how incredibly big CC actually is. Then you can see the entire move Nolen makes on Tyler Smith, just incredible for a rookie. He starts inside going left, gets Smith moving that way off balance and then just on a dime shifts going right while at the same time using the hands to get Smith going even further the wrong direction. Just changes direction accelerates to his right and closes on Dak.

The combination of footwork and strength and remember Tyler Smith is the highest paid G in the NFL.

 

[BritCard]

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Shows all the good plays but the sack is the one they give you multiple angles. Calais draws a double so you see 93 in the middle with a guy on each arm, shows you just how incredibly big CC actually is. Then you can see the entire move Nolen makes on Tyler Smith, just incredible for a rookie. He starts inside going left, gets Smith moving that way off balance and then just on a dime shifts going right while at the same time using the hands to get Smith going even further the wrong direction. Just changes direction accelerates to his right and closes on Dak.

The combination of footwork and strength and remember Tyler Smith is the highest paid G in the NFL.

Really exciting stuff. Not because of the results so much as what you see in his technique. There's so many small nuances that go into all positions but especially D line and you can see that Walter has a deep understanding of them. Great to see.

 

[Ronin]

Good debut, keep it up.

 

[MadCardDisease]

It's still early but man Nolen looked good out there. If Nolen can continue to develop, that will make everyone else up front even better. Which in turn will help the Defensive Backfield. I love the fact that Nolen and Sweat will be on this team for several years together. When you have two studs up front on the DL it makes double teaming difficult. I'm very excited about these two new additions. Then you pair them with the other young promising Defensive players that the Cardinals have and the future looks bright for the Cardinals D.

Nolen, Sweat, Wilson, Williams, Johnson, Melton, DTD is a nice young core to build your starting defense around. All of these guys are young or in their prime. Then you have young rotational guys on Defense like Stills, Collins, STV and Browning. Finally you have some young developmental guys who have showed promise in Burke, Simon, Burch and Crawford.

The one big question mark being Robinson who has been super disappointing so far.

 

[Russ Smith]

Really exciting stuff. Not because of the results so much as what you see in his technique. There's so many small nuances that go into all positions but especially D line and you can see that Walter has a deep understanding of them. Great to see.

the NFL guys with wrestling backgrounds have always been really good because they understand balance. I have no idea Walter has a wrestling background but someone has clearly taught him the value of balance. He gets Smith thinking he's going inside so he starts that way and then bam he uses his hands to push him that way as Walter goes the other way. All the balance and momentum from Smith is now going the wrong way and it's amazing how quickly Nolen is completely free to go get Dak.

They talk about RB's that make guys miss in a phone booth that's what Nolen did to Smith

 

[phillycard]

Didn't see any of his college games but when word leaked that Howie Roseman was trying to trade up for him I figured it might be a good pick.

Oh my God. Him AND Carter????

 

[Denny Green Fan]

Feel that? It’s Monti’s seat getting cooler.

Colder than a six pack of beer at my house after work…Monti deserves another year based on this jewel alone….

 

[Denny Green Fan]

the NFL guys with wrestling backgrounds have always been really good because they understand balance. I have no idea Walter has a wrestling background but someone has clearly taught him the value of balance. He gets Smith thinking he's going inside so he starts that way and then bam he uses his hands to push him that way as Walter goes the other way. All the balance and momentum from Smith is now going the wrong way and it's amazing how quickly Nolen is completely free to go get Dak.

They talk about RB's that make guys miss in a phone booth that's what Nolen did to Smith

lol I thought of Mr Miyagi when you said balance…and I seen a video of Walter calling the equipment kid “sir” and “yes sir “ ….very polite as well great kid as well

 

[Zeem_Freeze]

Seahawks interior Oline is pretty weak right? Excited to watch 97 this weekend. He'll be getting the bulk of my attention on defense.

 

[Russ Smith]

lol I thought of Mr Miyagi when you said balance…and I seen a video of Walter calling the equipment kid “sir” and “yes sir “ ….very polite as well great kid as well

Yes Martial arts is the same thing use their momentum against them.

One game but that was the such a promising debut that kid went up against an elite guard in Smith and held his own, he flat whipped their first round pick when they were matched up.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Colder than a six pack of beer at my house after work…Monti deserves another year based on this jewel alone….

monti actually had no choice - there was no other choice - somebody took our offensive guard leaving us with the bell of the ball - i thought nolen was gonna be long gone

 

[BritCard]

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