Brace Yourself NFL, Here Comes Calijah Kancey
July 2nd, 2024
Racing into 2024.
A guy the vast majority of NFL sophists are overlooking or ignoring when writing 2024 previews is Calijah Kancey.
And it seems an SI.com NFL columnist agrees with Joe.
When looking at the Tampa Bay roster for the next great stud, Matt Verderame sees 2023 first-round pick Kancey as that guy at defensive tackle.
The Buccaneers spent a first-round pick on the University of Pittsburgh defensive tackle in 2023 and watched as he registered four sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits as a rookie.
Historically speaking, even the best defensive tackles don’t see their stats pop until their second seasons. In Kansas City, Chris Jones only had two sacks as a rookie before notching 6.5 his sophomore year. Jeffery Simmons only had five in his first two seasons combined before increasing to 8.5 in his third year.
It takes time, but Kancey flashed all the necessary tools.
Kancey was drafted with a reputation of being a pass rusher only but stats suggest this cannot be further from the truth. From his quarterback hits to his tackles behind the line of scrimmage to his stops against success runs, which is one of the best in the NFL.
And remember, Kancey did all of this in just 14 games after missing virtually all of training camp with a calf injury.
If Kancey gets a full training camp under his belt and stays healthy, he might really become a terror this fall.
July 2nd, 2024 at 12:05 am
Looking forward to it!
July 2nd, 2024 at 12:50 am
Sapp jumped from 3 his rookie year to 9 his second year, first under Dungy.
Licking chops.
July 2nd, 2024 at 1:02 am
Unleash this manimal! Go Bucs!
July 2nd, 2024 at 5:47 am
Love reading this! Sounds like Kancey will be a terror on the field. Breakout season for sure.
The rest of the article was interesting. Love this statement – “Tampa Bay has a case as the NFC South’s best team, even after watching the Falcons acquire Kirk Cousins.”
July 2nd, 2024 at 6:25 am
I am excited for the 2nd year breakouts for both Kancey and Yaya. Then, with those two making OCs on the other team focus on them, maybe a slimmed down VV has a carear year. And if those 3 are kicking but, just imagine what Gregory and JTS will do {sarcasm}.
I am disappointed the Glazers did not push JL to spend money on a FA Edge player. No, I do not put that on JL. And I dont believe the money was not there. If the Glazers thought we had a shot at a SB, they would have had JL resign Wirfs to get our cap down. Look at how they spent money when Brady came. Why? Bc it was Brady and they believed. I can only assume they do not have the same belief in this group.
Very disappointed with the Glazers. Bc I believe my Bucs are one edge rusher away from at least going to the NFC Championship game.
July 2nd, 2024 at 6:32 am
This defense could be special. Can’t wait for training camp.
July 2nd, 2024 at 6:44 am
Wonder how his weekend went at Von Miller’s sack camp? Hope he picked up some good tools for his tool box.
July 2nd, 2024 at 6:58 am
I have a lot of faith in the young talent the team has been acquiring if they can stay healthy and Todd gets them on the field for significant snaps i think this defense could be special.
July 2nd, 2024 at 7:34 am
Hey Joe!
While I appreciate your enthusiasm and would love to buy into it and share it with you, can we at least let the kid make it out of training camp?
14 games in a 13 year Career. He started over 188 games in that career.
This kids already missed almost half of the games warren Sapp missed, and he’s not Even two years in.
Just my two cents, don’t take it personal!
P.S. Lee is an amazing podcast host. You guys all play well each other.
July 2nd, 2024 at 7:45 am
CK is already a beast and I can’t wait to see what he does this season. He and YaYa Diaby are going to be special. Go Bucs
July 2nd, 2024 at 8:00 am
@Hodad, I saw a few pictures of the summit when searching the internet for it. Warren Sapp was there too. Looked like a good time.
July 2nd, 2024 at 8:14 am
Kancey has the JUICE, his get off from the line is CRAZY GOOD. Can’t wait to see him wreck havoc.
July 2nd, 2024 at 9:15 am
Kancey had a ridiculous 14.5 tackles for loss his last year at Pittsburgh. His explosiveness allows him to quickly get his hands in the right position off the snap and gain leverage in the run game. Unless he loses speed, he will always affect the run game.
Anyone thinking he was only going to get sacks for the Bucs were grossly mistaken.
July 2nd, 2024 at 10:59 am
The Bucs have some very nice weapons developing on the D-Line. Kancey is definitely going to be a problem. Teams will want to double him but it will be hard with Vea and Diaby.
July 2nd, 2024 at 1:12 pm
That kid showed a ton of big play potential last year. Can’t wait to see him this year.
July 2nd, 2024 at 2:44 pm
Hoping he has a few nice visits with the Cousins this year.
July 2nd, 2024 at 4:02 pm
I’m hoping for around 8 sacks and 15 tfl. He was legitimately dominant in like 4 or 5 games last year.
July 2nd, 2024 at 5:38 pm
Irishmist – agreed. Doubtful Cousins lasts beyond game 5 without being creamed out.
July 2nd, 2024 at 5:46 pm
I remember the day he was drafted I was adamant that Calijah is going to be a dominant game wrecker, a star. Now national media are starting to take notice. Heads up, It’s not if, it’s a matter of when Calijah Kancey takes off this coming season. This Bucs defense will jump up to one of tops if the league. If
July 2nd, 2024 at 8:46 pm
I can’t wait, I’ve been checking out videos of the rookies and reliving videos from the Bucs last season. I think they are going to be sneaky good. After a few games things will show, adapting to the speed and understanding more of the job through being in it. Let’s Go Bucs!!!! Hahaha!!!
July 3rd, 2024 at 9:20 am
Would love an honest take frm Gholston on Diaby. Gholston usually tells it like it is without really throwing a teammate under the bus.
Go Bucs!
July 4th, 2024 at 3:16 am
I was elated when we picked him. I can’t wait to see what O.C.’s are going to try against Special K. And Vea. I think the defense is going ro be really good this coming season. Whitehead coming back is huge.
July 4th, 2024 at 5:55 am
Would love one more on the inside DL to step up this year with some sacks and TFLs. Hall? One of the New Guys say Culpepper?
Go Bucs!