Will Gholston Likes What He Sees From Calijah Kancey
July 27th, 2023
Reviews Bucs rookie.
So yesterday was the first time veteran defensive lineman Will Gholston wore a Bucs helmet for any purpose since the Bucs’ loss to the Cowboys in the January playoffs.
Gholston re-signed with the Bucs on Monday for his 11th NFL season, all with Tampa Bay, which drafted him in the fourth round in 2013.
Gholston lives in Tampa and obviously, he heard of the Bucs’ first-round pick this spring, defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. Yesterday was his first chance to get an up-close look at the Pitt product.
After practice yesterday, Gholston told Joe he had watched film of Kancey and was impressed with his speed. But the tape, Gholston said, didn’t do Kancey justice.
“Kancey, I didn’t know he can rush that well,” Gholston said. “I was just watching film. But to see him in person — yeah!”
So yes, Kancey made a good first impression.
Joe thinks this interior defensive line of the Bucs is damn deep. They have brutes. They have strong guys. They have speed and experience
Bucs coach Todd Bowles, sort of a mad scientist, is probably drooling all night dreaming of all the different ways he can attack offenses.
Given how quick Kancey is, shoot, Joe wouldn’t be surprised if once in a blue moon Kancey sometimes lines up on the edge to try and terrorize quarterbacks, much like Vita Vea has done in past seasons.
Ira Kaufman Talks All Things Day 1 Of Training Camp, Reflects On 7 Years At JoeBucsFan, Dives Deeper On Bucs Defensive Line Moves And Decisions, And Plenty More
July 27th, 2023 at 2:56 am
I will believe Gholstons scouting report over coachspeak Bowles any day.
Go Bucs!
July 27th, 2023 at 3:16 am
I believe Jason Licht has done it again! He’s found not only another star but I believe in my gut that Calijah Kancey will be a “Super Star”! My gut tells me that Licht got a “best of” on offense with Wirfs and now “the best of” on Defense with Kancey.
Hall is too soon to call. He was a second round pick after all, so a little leeway should be given in his case. Probably this is the year that he starts to really shine.
JTS is another case that some leeway (in my opinion) should be given to him (Licht) because of COVID and the lack of even college tape to work with (little to none), BUT this (also in my opinion) is his last year to show up or shove out. Though in this case only, I’m giving Licht a little room to legitimately miss one. However, my gut is also telling me that this IS the year for JTS that just might be the famous line in the movie Dune. This year for JTS could be titled “The Sleeper Has Awakened” and Licht finally hits yet ANOTHER HOME RUN!
I see a small couple of people attacking Licht for bad picks (Absolutely Negating) the FACT that Licht has hit A Kinds of “HOME RUNS” pretty much every year in Multiple Rounds and their argument that Licht is a bad talent picking GM is an Absolute Joke! You Better take another look! He had ONE bad year (starting with an absolutely Crappy Corner pick) of picks and acouple of picks that left a guy scratching his head (Arguayo). Besides that…. Come on! YOU CAN NOT DENY HIS AMAZING DRAFTS! Sorry but you pushing a bolder up a hill that’s Never gonna make it with that argument…. People ARE NOT buying into he’s a lousy drafter. Just quite it…..
GO BUCS, GO LICHT!
July 27th, 2023 at 3:23 am
Or to be fair to your opinion, which GM in our teams history has had a better “over all” drafting record than Licht?
July 27th, 2023 at 4:06 am
I think Licht had done way better post Arians arrival.
It seemed like we had no clear direction before that.
With Bowles came the influx of DBs picked.
You gotta have them. Good ones too.
Winfield was a steal and obviously Vea was the right choice.
When was the last time we spent a 1st round pick on a skill position player?
Thats what bad teams do every year.
I think Licht is top 10 easily, maybe top 5.
Just looking at the last 5 years.
The next 3 years will show if I’m right.
Now we gotta keep the good ones we drafted and that is almost impossible.
Thats why unless you have Homey Boy in KC dynasties are Hard.
The real window for most teams is 3-5 years.
July 27th, 2023 at 6:43 am
I’m hope his speed compensates for his lack of size. He’s listed at only 6’0″ 280 lbs.
July 27th, 2023 at 6:59 am
Kancey tops an entire draft class of speedy, athletic young prospects……I like this drat.
July 27th, 2023 at 7:29 am
What DT runs a 7.00 3-cone drill? Kancey’s lateral quickness is on par with many DBs. He has the quickness to change angles and direction of blockers in a heart beat. He is going to be monster to handle.
July 27th, 2023 at 7:36 am
My one and only concern for Calijah is his arm length. That’s it. His size doesn’t matter because of his speed, strength and explosion are similar to Donald and a little known fact is Donald plays DT at 260-265 not 280 (I’ve heard those words come out of his own mouth). Calijah fits the mold of Aaron Donald and John Randle ( who was 240lbs when he came into the league). He just needs to develop his hand technique to break contact or shed blocks with shorter arms. If that doesn’t stop him he has a chance to be a special player in his own right.
July 27th, 2023 at 7:59 am
A Bucs Fan
“ He just needs to develop his hand technique to break contact or shed blocks with shorter arms.”
He already has. He’s a technician!!
July 27th, 2023 at 8:54 am
3 and 5 gap penetrator – as much as we can keep Vea and Gaines on the field with Kancey will just enhance his ability to penetrate and chase
My concern is the Kancey, Senat, Hall rotation that gets bullied down the field in the run game –
We have 2 true DT and a bunch of smaller guys – Senat is not good
Hall has a lot to prove outside of the gym
Love WillG but he is a 5 also – not cut out for a and b gap run stopping
July 27th, 2023 at 9:28 am
Truly a player to get excited about!
Youngsters here barely remember Hank Williams Jr. much less his far more talented father. When I was very young I remember disliking him as a “Hillbilly” singer. As I matured I gained respect. One of his hits only bears mentioning because of Calijah’s first name. It’s actually about an Indian named Kawlijah but I listened and remembered Sr.’s talent. This song was #1 on the Country charts for 14 weeks longer than the other more famous side “Your Cheatin Heart”.
July 27th, 2023 at 9:34 am
Maaaaaan forget the rookies, Gholston said my boy Patty-O looks like Bruce Banner w/a beard 😂😂 2 blocked punts and a scope -n- score this season, calling it now and don’t rain on my parade either chumps.
July 27th, 2023 at 9:50 am
Now how much can it cost to resign a still sharp looking vet like Nassib. Defense and depth win championships.
July 27th, 2023 at 9:50 am
@BillyBucco,
I agree that Licht got far better at being a GM after Arians arrival.. I would say that Licht was slightly better than middle of the road in the years before. BUT.. But he did have his own vision and gut instincts before Arians.
The draft that sticks out to me in regards to his instincts is his very first. EVERYWHERE you looked, the world figured he was taking a QB as Joe can attest to. The little fellow of a qb had Lots of moxie. He was great at getting guys to follow him and it was assumed (arse u me), to be the obvious choice.
As history shows, Licht chose a FAR wiser path and chose to go with his gut with what I’m Sure was massive push down stream. Instead he chose to fight the current and the typical “no brainer” choice and made the Hard and Much WISER decision to pick the guy who Made that particular qb the headliner that he was.
Licht saw through the bushes and trees and instead chose the TOTAL STUNNER and went with our now LEGENDARY wide receiver Mr. Michael Evans!
My point being that from the very get go, Licht has had pretty darn good Vision and Instinct BEFORE others came along. But I’ve hands down agree with BillyBucco that “The Sleeper was Awakened” for Licht in a big way after Arians came along.
July 27th, 2023 at 10:24 am
VG used to rave about Noah Spence
July 27th, 2023 at 10:39 am
Like the comment from WG.
Kancey, I didn’t know he can rush that well,” Gholston said. “I was just watching film. But to see him in person — yeah!”
But really, the coaches likely already know if Kancey is going to be a big-time player or not.
Hopefully this is one of those guys.
But as fans we cannot expect 10 sacks in the kids first season. So, if he ends up with 6-8 sacks from that DT position, that is a pretty great season.
July 27th, 2023 at 10:47 am
You can’t teach speed. Good luck to the OL who draws his number
July 27th, 2023 at 11:58 am
It sure is a great report coming from “oldman” Gholston. Hope Gholston hits all his goals this season.
I would also like to say I really do hope when Head Coach Bowles is here next season because of his teams record, we loses all those fans who daily berate and shat on him. Get over yourselves, our HC was a good Safety, in College and the NFL, He has also been a very good defensive coach, DC. His Head coaching results are not that good, today. I am ready for a strong 4-5 seasons as our HC.
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
July 27th, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Resigning Gholston is huge. It would’ve been monumentally stupid to not sign him this year.
July 27th, 2023 at 1:03 pm
Shaq Barrett, Vita Vea, Will Gholston, & Kancey on the other edge all coming after the QB on 3rd down seems pretty fierce… & Gholston and Vita can still squeeze the interior runs in that situation, man that seems like a strong/ capable foursome if/when we deploy that lineup
July 27th, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Let’s see him in pads.
July 27th, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Will Gholston talked up Logan Hall this time last year and he was good for nothing? I like Kancy and I like what I see on tape but Will’s rara talk means nothing. That said, it will be interesting to watch, hope Vea does not go down early.
July 28th, 2023 at 12:35 am
If Bowles goes to the 4-3 full time…Kancey has a shot to the Sapp of this team…But still not sold on him being successful in YR1.
Frankly, his T-Rex arms scare the hell out of me irrespective of how quick he is…He’s not running against soon-to-be never-was kind of guys, like he faced in the ACC on a weekly basis. He’s going to be asked to line up & try to whip MEN that have already earned a pay check in the NFL. Not any easy task…