Kalen DeLoach Getting A Shot
August 4th, 2024
Opportunity knocks.
Joe knows there is interest in undrafted free agent linebacker Kalen DeLoach. Much of that comes from where he went to school.
The Bucs have a history of using speedy linebackers from Florida State. Derrick Brooks is the obvious choice. There was also Geno Hayes and Dekoda Watson.
(Hey, laugh about Watson all you want. For a seventh-round pick to squeeze out 10 years in the NFL, that’s pretty amazing.)
So when the Bucs signed DeLoach, there was buzz among fans.
Up until Tuesday’s night practice , DeLoach was invisible other than logging snaps with the third team. Tuesday night he made a couple of plays. He followed that up with more plays when the Bucs returned to the practice fields of One Buc Palace on Thursday.
The past couple of practices, DeLoach has been logging snaps with the first-team defense.
Teams won’t waste time with guys taking away valuable snaps with the first team unless coaches are seeing something to warrant such a promotion, or there are injuries.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles seems to be taking the patient approach with the rookie.
“He picked up the basics,” Bowles said. “He has still got to pick up the small integral things to get going.
“Obviously, it goes faster when you’re in there with the first unit – there’s a lot more adjustments and a lot more things to do. But he’s coming along, he’s coming along.”
The good thing for DeLoach is that inside linebacker for the Bucs is thinner than paper. And second-year reserve inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis, just like last year, is dinged up.
So for a rookie undrafted free agent, DeLoach has an excellent opportunity here.
Always remember and never forget, your best ability is your availability.
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August 4th, 2024 at 12:25 am
Was a solid LB at FSU. Speed and a sure tackler.
August 4th, 2024 at 1:53 am
..and durability. Wishing him luck. GO BUCS
August 4th, 2024 at 2:22 am
I love a speedy underdog. Dennis is kind of worrying me, though.
August 4th, 2024 at 7:25 am
I like Kalen DeLoach. He got real speed for a LB (4.47), but he has a safety’s body (6.0″ and 210lbs). Not sure how well or long he going to hold up at that weight.
August 4th, 2024 at 7:27 am
This is the year Dennis should be making that jump. So far his jump has been back in the tub, and floppy hat duty. If Dennis has shown anything it’s we need to draft Davids replacement next year. If the Bucs were hoping Dennis would show this year that he could be that guy, it ain’t happening. If he’s still out after these days off I give up on him.
August 4th, 2024 at 8:52 am
3 years to evaluate a draft pick, needing to see something from a guy year 2 is like expecting Trey Palmer to make a pro bowl this season. 3rd, likely our 4th best option at a position if he’s in the game we are in deep doo doo.
August 4th, 2024 at 10:26 am
SVD played in the Colts game last year and made no plays, missing some easy tackles too. I like Kalen but he’s too small for me – maybe a great special teams guy. The Bucs don’t have LVD’s successor on the roster so draft, trade, or find a FA.
August 4th, 2024 at 10:34 am
DeLoach was a playmaker at FSU. Bucs got a steal.
August 4th, 2024 at 10:37 am
He looks like he would be a good fit with us with his speed and Devan gone, Britt and Lavonte are different in that way. Even if he is not an every down player
August 4th, 2024 at 4:25 pm
Redshirt season.
Put him on the practice squad. He will put on 15 pounds and be ready for next season.
Dennis has very heavy feet. Slow feet. Go watch his tape. He jogs slow.
He needs to get much faster to have any chance to be an NFL LB.
August 5th, 2024 at 8:31 am
Not an FSU fan but if he’s a good player we got to keep him