Stephen Neal vs. Brock Lesnar 1999 NCAA Championships

[Wildo7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peFg4GJyILs

Not sure if this has been posted before but I think it's pretty sweet. Brock Lesnar has since had a successful WWE career and has just signed with the UFC. Lesnar won his first MMA fight via ground and pound in K-1's HEROES against Min Soo Kim. If Neal wasn't with the Pats I wonder if he'd be in the UFC.

 

[STFarmy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peFg4GJyILs

Not sure if this has been posted before but I think it's pretty sweet. Brock Lesnar has since had a successful WWE career and has just signed with the UFC. Lesnar won his first MMA fight via ground and pound in K-1's HEROES against Min Soo Kim. If Neal wasn't with the Pats I wonder if he'd be in the UFC

Isn't Belichick a genius? He drafts a guy, Neal, who I believe had never played a snap a football, but was a champion wrestler. And really, what does the job of the O-line come down to? Controlling another guy's body.

Lesnar, by the way, is a monster. It's doubly impressive that Neal beat him. I train in and follow MMA, but I didn't see Lesnar's fight. Was it good?

 

[Wildo7]

Isn't Belichick a genius? He drafts a guy, Neal, who I believe had never played a snap a football, but was a champion wrestler. And really, what does the job of the O-line come down to? Controlling another guy's body.

Lesnar, by the way, is a monster. It's doubly impressive that Neal beat him. I train in and follow MMA, but I didn't see Lesnar's fight. Was it good?

I didn't see it cuz I think that that K-1 was a PPV and no K-1 event is worth PPV money IMO. Lesnar beat the hell out of him apparently in just over a minute. Do you train BJJ? Where you train at?

I agree completely with you though BB, is a genius. Collegiate wrestlers are so versatile I'm surprised more of them aren't successful NFL linemen, but I guess Neal is one of a kind. They're also successful in the UFC (i.e. Koscheck, Couture, Matt Hughes etc.)

EDIT: Here it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWQ1AyGUFsQ&feature=related

 

[patsfan209]

Isn't Belichick a genius? He drafts a guy, Neal, who I believe had never played a snap a football, but was a champion wrestler.

I read in a past article a few years ago (likely no longer available online now) that Neal did play football in high school, but when he went to Cal-State Bakersfield for college their program for some reason wouldn't allow him to do both football and wrestling and he must choose one, so he ended up choosing wrestling.

But definitely he never played college football specifically.

 

[gfecte01]

Lesnar attempted a career in the NFL, as well. He was cut by the Vikings after a few preseason games in '04.

 

[primetime]

Isn't Belichick a genius? He drafts a guy, Neal, who I believe had never played a snap a football, but was a champion wrestler. And really, what does the job of the O-line come down to? Controlling another guy's body.

Actually, the Eagles, I believe, signed him as a UDFA. Belichick signed Neal off their practice squad, then stashed him on IR for two years. It took a long time for Neal to get where he is today, but he's definitely one of the more athletic linemen in the league, even if overall he's just a smidge above average.

 

[Fixit]

Screw Lesnar. He stole my money a few years ago by mailing in his performance during WrestleMania.

 

[cartmen]

Actually, the Eagles, I believe, signed him as a UDFA. Belichick signed Neal off their practice squad, then stashed him on IR for two years. It took a long time for Neal to get where he is today, but he's definitely one of the more athletic linemen in the league, even if overall he's just a smidge above average.

Actually he has a reputation by many including Daunte Scarnechia of being one of the most underrated and most consistent centers in the league. he rarely makes mistakes in blocking assignments and never gets bull rushed. If the probowl wasnt about popularity he would have at least one by now

 

[primetime]

Actually he has a reputation by many including Daunte Scarnechia of being one of the most underrated and most consistent centers in the league. he rarely makes mistakes in blocking assignments and never gets bull rushed. If the probowl wasnt about popularity he would have at least one by now

I don't agree with that. He's a good blocker in general but against talented interior linemen can be bull rushed, and he misses occasional assignments in the running game. You could see it last Sunday, when the pocket consistently collapsed, not allowed Brady to step up. Mankins is a far superior run blocker, as well. The Patriots shifted to the zone blocking scheme to take advantage of Neal's strengths; it's been an up-and-down season for that.

Quoting a Patriots coach about his own player, who he taught how to play, isn't really going to get you far.

 

[SoCalPatsfan90]

My best friend is actually a highschool friend of Neal. He's also a wrestling fan, and let me in on that secret many years ago that Neal beat Lesner. Neal is one of a few reason that since becoming a fan of the NFL (never really liked it, but is a huge College fan; Nebraska) that he's became a pats fan.

 

[Lampshade]

I've no clue what's going on in those vids, but interesting to see nonetheless. Thanks for posting them.

 

[cartmen]

I don't agree with that. He's a good blocker in general but against talented interior linemen can be bull rushed, and he misses occasional assignments in the running game. You could see it last Sunday, when the pocket consistently collapsed, not allowed Brady to step up. Mankins is a far superior run blocker, as well. The Patriots shifted to the zone blocking scheme to take advantage of Neal's strengths; it's been an up-and-down season for that.

Quoting a Patriots coach about his own player, who he taught how to play, isn't really going to get you far.

Daunte Scarnechia don't pull punches. The man has been around for ever and usually calls it how he sees it when people ask him about his players. You pick one game and say Neal is having an up and down season. I look at the whole body of work. Just because you dont see him pancaking people (this goes for Light too) some people think they can't play. I agree Mankins is a beast but the guy was also an all american guard in college. For a guy who never played a college snap he has turned into a very competent gaurd. If he wasn't worth keeping they never would have resigned him. The only lineman I think that is having down year are Kazur

 

[primetime]

For a guy who never played a college snap he has turned into a very competent gaurd. If he wasn't worth keeping they never would have resigned him. The only lineman I think that is having down year are Kazur

You're taking the argument too far. I never said he was anything less than a competent guard. I said he was a slightly above average guard with plus athleticism. That's all. I think he's an important part of the Patriots line. I think Kaczur has actually been a stud this year; until the last game, he looked better than Light.

 

[cartmen]

Point noted I just think he has done a good job didnt mean to jump all over like that too much Mountain Dew

 

[Pats726]

Belichick signed Neal off their practice squad, then stashed him on IR for two years.

He wasn't really stashed..he had a very severe shoulder problem...injured in 02...and then on PUP in 03 and IRed. because it wasn't healed...
I believe the school did NOT have a football program..so he could only wrestle...he is an incredible athlete...but the fact that Lesnar and others can not do it..just shows how hard it is...and how much dedication is needed to really make it and do that.

 

[JustWinBrady]

nice find.....Neal was a champion in blue back then also.

 

[Caspir]

Screw Lesnar. He stole my money a few years ago by mailing in his performance during WrestleMania.

I'll let you in on a secret, but don't tell anybody. Lesnar didn't "mail" anything in. He was following the script. See, professional wrestling is not real.

 

[Fixit]

I'll let you in on a secret, but don't tell anybody. Lesnar didn't "mail" anything in. He was following the script. See, professional wrestling is not real.

Oh, really, ya think?

If you saw the match, you'd know what I mean. The outcomes are scripted, but most of a match is ad-libbed. Lesnar stole a check that day.

Ass.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Isn't Belichick a genius? He drafts a guy, Neal, who I believe had never played a snap a football, but was a champion wrestler. And really, what does the job of the O-line come down to? Controlling another guy's body.

Lesnar, by the way, is a monster. It's doubly impressive that Neal beat him. I train in and follow MMA, but I didn't see Lesnar's fight. Was it good?

He wasn't drafted. He was a free agent.

 

[kriskanos]

Screw Lesnar. He stole my money a few years ago by mailing in his performance during WrestleMania.

Um...You do know that wrestlings f.....oh d%#*!@t I wont ruin it for you. Dont forget to leave cookies for Santa!