Calijah Kancey Believes Football Is More Than A Physical Game
August 3rd, 2024
Always learning.
The more and more Joe reads and hears others talk about Calijah Kancey, the more Joe is impressed with how driven the Bucs defensive tackle is.
Kancey is thirsty for knowledge. Most guys who are content don’t pick others’ brains as much as Kancey does.
For example, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, a former 11-year NFL offensive lineman, regularly works out with Kancey. The two live in South Florida and met on the beach by chance. That sparked a friendship and a workout partner.
Kancey has been known to hit up Aaron Donald for football advice. And of course, Kancey went to Von Miller’s “Sack Summit” this summer to learn from the NFL’s best, including former Bucs great Warren Sapp.
And when Gerald McCoy visited training camp last week, Kancey could be seen practicing moves with GMC.
This mental aspect of Kancey also came up yesterday when Bucs left guard Ben Bredeson spoke about facing him in practice.
“We were just talking afterward, it was a great battle today going back and forth,” Bredeson said. “It’s great that we can have that camaraderie. We can talk about, ‘This is what I did on this set, how did you read it?’ And kind of work off each other.”
Bredeson later added that facing Kancey in practice is “a battle every day.”
Joe thinks it is great how Kancey doesn’t ever seem to pass up a chance to learn something about the game, about his position, about moves, etc. That tells Joe that Kancey is highly motivated to be the best he can be.
That’s a win-win for the Bucs.
August 3rd, 2024 at 5:15 am
Kancey giving Barton an eyeful to I’m sure. Not to mention dealing with Vea. Like this guy Bredeson seems to fit right in. As far as D lineman, who else Joe has been standing out? How’s the Cullpepper kid doing?
August 3rd, 2024 at 5:51 am
You knocked it out of the park with this one Jason…he wasnt even on my radar because i was working too much and didnt have much time…we were both going Jack Campbell but he went right before we picked, and that looks like a blessing. Love it!
August 3rd, 2024 at 7:24 am
@MadMax
I was hoping they were gonna take Kancey when all the others were gone. I would’ve taken him. I know at first some were iffy on it but I had a feeling he had the potential to be good.
August 3rd, 2024 at 7:48 am
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17.
August 3rd, 2024 at 8:05 am
The Bucs should call in Dwight Freeney for a tutorial, maybe after his Hall of Fame celebration. The best spin move ever by a defensive end. I can only imagine Kancey adding that to his arsenal, priceless.
August 3rd, 2024 at 8:29 am
Proverbs. Nice @ dls5492!
August 3rd, 2024 at 9:10 am
Seems both Diaby and Kancey are football junkies! You gotta love it!
August 3rd, 2024 at 9:27 am
Camaraderie, hard work, and learning. Sounds great!
August 3rd, 2024 at 9:40 am
With CK’s desire to improve, I can’t wait to see what he looks like in 2-3 years. Hopefully this year we see great strides. It already sounds like he should be a better than average DL this year. The name Calijah means lightning or power to breakthrough, as if his parents knew he’d be in this spot in life some 20 years later. Let’s go Lightning! 😉
Go Bucs ! ! !
August 3rd, 2024 at 9:58 am
Kancey is right. The number of NFL players who wash out because of lack of cognition are legion, on both sides of the ball. In particular are the quarterbacks. Every year highly athletic quarterbacks are drafted who then wash out, in my opinion for lacking in the “upstairs” game. Hell, just look at the list of Super Bowl winners – almost all are non-athletic types who grasp the intricacies of NFL offenses.
August 3rd, 2024 at 10:56 am
Lt. Dan what about Ezekiel 23:20
August 3rd, 2024 at 11:05 am
Check that 90% mental & 30% physical for Kancey 😂
August 4th, 2024 at 6:02 pm
Love hearing this.
Hope we get to see him and Diaby destroying opposing o-lineman for the next decade!