Kacy Rodgers Left Bucs In Good Shape
January 29th, 2025
Props from Todd Bowles.
Joe knows every Bucs fan and their brother is still fixated on the Liam Coen saga and who the Bucs will choose to replace him.
But Joe thinks not enough words have been focused on the departure of the lone Bucs defensive assistant who got quality results from his linemen. That would be Kacy Rodgers.
The Bucs are in good shape up front with two first-round tackles in Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey. Both had really strong years.
And as Bucs coach Todd Bowles said in his final presser for the 2024 season, don’t forget about Logan Hall.
“They played well all year, and Logan [Hall] is included in that,” Bowles said about his starting down linemen. “I thought Logan had a heck of a year, as well. I thought the interior three did a heck of a job pushing the pocket all year long.”
The past two years the Bucs have trained Hall to basically be the new Will Gholston. It’s been successful, Joe believes.
Now Joe understands some fans may howl that a team should want more from the No. 33 overall pick than to be the next Gholston. Joe gets it. But for what Hall has been groomed to do, he had a solid season. Not a star, not flashy, but solid.
Would Joe have loved to see Hall turned into to a quality edge rusher? Hell, yes. But it’s obvious that’s not a high priority. So Joe will embrace a guy doing what he’s been asked to do by his coaches.
January 29th, 2025 at 7:08 am
Im glad he took took the leap, good for him
We gotta give Bowles more credit, our defense was paper thin (due to cap) and full of super young guys and he did enough to win. Im sure next year will be alot better.
BTW lets not forget Big Will, he’s been a rock for us for a long time, love that dude
January 29th, 2025 at 7:11 am
All that being said, I HATE zone coverage and hope we get some lock down man corners this offseason, IMO should be our main priority
January 29th, 2025 at 7:25 am
Don’t hold your breath. Bowles is a zone coverage guy and that’s never going to change. Dean and Davis were man to man guys and Bowles tried to change them to zone coverage guys and it didn’t work. Right now our best cover corner is Ya Ya lol
January 29th, 2025 at 7:27 am
Not Hall’s fault he’s more suited as a 4-3 defensive end rather then a 3-4 defensive tackle. Bowles like edge rushers who are light in the pants so they can drop back in coverage rather then rush the passer. That’s why our OLBs get man handled by massive NFL offensive tackles. I hear some clamouring for Marshall edge rusher Green. The dude is 248 pounds. Good luck getting around OT’s like Wirfs who go around 350 lbs. Draft him, we’ll have another JTS. Hey, but he fits Todd’s profile of not getting sacks from the edge.
January 29th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Let’s just do the seamless OC transition….Grizzard.
January 29th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Yawn. Sadly, Hall will always be a backup. And Kancey will always get hurt.
January 29th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Don’t care about Coen at all. Really excited about the search for an OC.
January 29th, 2025 at 8:12 am
If Bowles has another season of soft zone coverage with zero pass rush and vita vea dropping into coverage, then permanently ban him from the NFL
January 29th, 2025 at 8:27 am
Oh look folks, more Coen nonsense. Joe just can’t help himself.
News flash, it’s over, he’s gone. Move on already!
But Bowels is still here and the Swiss cheese 29th ranked pass defense will be in full effect again next season.
It’s asinine that the real problem isn’t being addressed.
28-27
Fire Bowels now!!!!
January 29th, 2025 at 8:43 am
I could give two sh####ts about Coen and I don’t have a brother.
January 29th, 2025 at 9:01 am
Kacy Rodgers: Elite Defensive Line Coach, Backed by Facts
Kacy Rodgers was one of the best defensive line coaches in the business—his results speak for themselves. The media’s narrative about his performance being subpar was wildly overstated by those with an agenda. The facts don’t lie.
Kacy Rodgers did a phenomenal job as our defensive line coach
Case In Point:
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game (2019-2024):
* 2019: 1st – 73.8 YPG
* 2020: 1st – 82.7 YPG
* 2021: 3rd – 91.6 YPG
* 2022: 15th – 121.1 YPG (injuries & roster turnover hit hard)
* 2023: 4th – 93.5 YPG
* 2024: 3rd – 96.9 YPG
📌 Six-Year Average:
✔ 4.5 average ranking (Top 5 in 5 of 6 seasons)
✔ 93.27 YPG allowed (Consistently under 100 yards per game)
Pass Rush Impact: 2nd Most Sacks in the NFL (2019-2024)
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 292 sacks
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 281 sacks<-
3. Philadelphia Eagles: 275 sacks
4. Baltimore Ravens: 272 sacks
5. Los Angeles Rams: 270 sacks
📌 Elite Production: The Bucs were a top-tier pass-rushing unit under Rodgers, consistently among the league's best.
Bottom Line:
Kacy Rodgers’ impact on the defensive front was undeniable. His units were dominant against the run and relentless in generating sacks. Any attempt to downplay his success is nothing but revisionist history.
✔ Elite run defense
✔ Consistent pass-rush dominance
✔ Proven development of defensive talent
January 29th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Happy for Kacy! He also left honorably.
LUVMYBUCS -Thank you for the facts and bottom line info.
January 29th, 2025 at 9:11 am
Are fans still going on about coen? Thought all moved on after the venting was done. Go bucs!
January 29th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Potential Replacement Karl Dunbar?
Karl Dunbar: Proven Track Record
The only defensive line that outperformed Tampa in sacks from 2019-2024 was the Pittsburgh Steelers, led by defensive line guru Karl Dunbar. His coaching pedigree and ability to develop top-tier talent speak for themselves.
Top 5 Sack Leaders (2019-2024)
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 292 sacks <—
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 281 sacks
3. Philadelphia Eagles: 275 sacks
4. Baltimore Ravens: 272 sacks
5. Los Angeles Rams: 270 sacks
Dunbar’s Coaching Background
🔹 NFL Experience:
✔ Chicago Bears (2004) – Developed Pro Bowl talent early in his career.
✔ Minnesota Vikings (2006-2011) – Built the “Williams Wall” with Kevin and Pat Williams.
✔ New York Jets (2012-2014) – Coached All-Pro Sheldon Richardson & Muhammad Wilkerson.
✔ Buffalo Bills (2015) – Worked with Marcell Dareus.
✔ Pittsburgh Steelers (2018-present) – Developed T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cameron Heyward.
🔹 College Success:
✔ Alabama (2016-2017) – Helped Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, and Dalvin Tomlinson dominate en route to a National Championship.
Notable Players Coached
💪 Dominant Pass Rushers & Linemen
* T.J. Watt (PIT) – DPOY, sack leader
* Cameron Heyward (PIT) – All-Pro
* Stephon Tuitt (PIT) – Key interior rusher
* Alex Highsmith (PIT) – Rising pass-rush force
* Jared Allen (MIN) – Hall of Fame-caliber career
* Sheldon Richardson (NYJ) – Defensive Rookie of the Year (2013)
* Muhammad Wilkerson (NYJ) – Second-Team All-Pro (2014)
* Jonathan Allen (ALA) – Nagurski & Bednarik Award winner
* Da’Ron Payne (ALA) – Elite run-stopper
📌 Fun Fact: Dunbar also developed Tommie Harris, who became a Pro Bowler in just his second season with Chicago.
Karl Dunbar, the mastermind behind the Steelers’ dominant defensive line since 2018, is officially set to hit the open market. With his contract expiring at the end of the 2024 season, reports suggest no extension is in place, leaving him free to explore other opportunities in 2025.
Why Tampa Should Make a Move:
The Bucs’ defensive identity is built in the trenches, and no coach develops talent up front like Dunbar. With Pittsburgh failing to secure him, this is a rare opportunity to bring in a coach who consistently produces top-tier results.
💰 Glazers, the time is now. Dunbar is the kind of coach who elevates a defense overnight. If Tampa wants to dominate up front and take the next step, this is the move to make.
January 29th, 2025 at 9:31 am
Note: This is not my 1st time making this suggestion
#Repost
LUVMYBUCS Says:
December 21st, 2017 at 10:55 am <–
Defensive Coordinator: Gus Bradley
• Defensive Line Coach: Karl Dunbar<–
• Linebackers Coach: Ken Norton Jr.
• Defensive Backs Coach: Dennis Thurman
Note: If you can’t acquire Karl Dunbar – Snag Craig Kuligowski.
January 29th, 2025 at 9:39 am
@heyjude
Respect Bredren
January 29th, 2025 at 9:46 am
Still havent heard a single peep about a D Coord being interviewed. So no changes coming except from the ones abandoning ship.
January 29th, 2025 at 10:03 am
Don’t understand Rodgers move. It was a lateral move not a DC
January 29th, 2025 at 12:24 pm
I’ve always admired the Steelers and Ravens defenses and DL’s. I hope Bowles looks at Dunbar and maybe someone from the Ravens?
I’d still like to see Licht pickup some talent at DL, especially a NT or DT3 that can rush the passer on passing downs. Maybe a cheaper FA or rd 4 draft pick.
January 29th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
Nice suggestion LUVMYBUCS. Get Karl Dunbar!!!
January 29th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Luvmy Bucs…
100% agree that Dunbar is a great coach.
But there’s zero chance the Steelers let Dunbar take a lateral move and become a DL coach somewhere else in the league.
He’s a highly valued member of Tomlin’s staff. He’s part of their coaching staff that helps run drills at the Combine every year too.
He’s done more with less for their DL with ZERO first rounders invested in the DL line and one second rounder (Keeanu Benton) since he’s been there.
Also, Watt and Highsmith are OLBs. They’d likely be credited to the Steelers former DC (in name – Tomlin has run the D since 2013 or 2014) and OLB coach Keith Butler.
January 29th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Yeah, I agree. Logan Hall seems to be coming along quite nicely. Hopefully, with a lot of dedication and hard work with his (health/body/mind/technique), that he will be poised to really breakout and POP for next season. He’s becoming pretty solid. Time to take that next step up and take it to another level. Would be SO HUGE for us.
January 29th, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Pass defense would still stink under Bowles if we had 3 Deion Sanders and 2 Charles Woodsons, so disappointing as sharp as Jason Licht is they dont cut bait with Toilet Bowles. What will change next season? Nothing.”mis communication, execution” no your scheme is horrible. CB’S, Safety’s are supposed to cover people or at least try to….not drop back at snap count after already lining up in the parking lot.
January 29th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
Unless / until Bowles can focus on being a real, full time Head Coach, this train just goes further into the ditch. Cmon, Jason and the Glazrnauts. You know what time it is
January 29th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
Can Joe start writing articles about the Bucs needing to pursue the future services of Captain Jack Sawyer in this upcoming draft instead everyone and their dog focusing on the guy from Marshal! Please! The name fits and that dude is a dawg on the field against big time talent. He’s a proven commodity in a high area of need. I feel like joebucsfan forgets it’s the Jimmy and the joes and not just the X’s and O’s
January 29th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
I am more concerned about the replacement for Rodgers than the replacement for Coen. There is plenty for any new offensive coordinator to work with. But, even if everyone on the defense is healthy all next year and plays at the best level they have ever played, there is a still a big hole at OLB and a bigger hole at ILB that will become a colossal abyss if Lavonte David retires.
The only reason that I could see for Rodgers making a lateral move to the frozen tundra – job security! The owners of the Bucs seem to grossly undervalue Bowles. Despite winning three consecutive division championships during a significant post Super Bowl rebuild with loads of dead cap, Bowles is in the last year of ~ the lowest paying head coach contract in the league, and I have heard not a whisper of talk of a contract extension. Rodgers probably figured that he would be looking for a new job next year anyway!
Forget worrying coordinator replacements. If the Bucs do parts ways with their division winning head coach, let’s just hope that it’s not 13 years until they win the division again – like it was last time the last time they fired a division winning head coach.
January 29th, 2025 at 7:16 pm
Y’all need to stop blaming Bowels for da GM job we been needing cbs an a pass rusher that’s da GM job it’s da glazers fault the Oc went to jax because with da job he did this season they should have made him da highest paid Oc in da league an let him know after Bowels he would be the next HC an he would have stayed
January 29th, 2025 at 9:08 pm
EnigmaFan Says:
“there’s zero chance the Steelers let Dunbar take a lateral move and become a DL coach somewhere else in the league.”
Bucs could easily give Dunbar the title of DC if they really wanted him and that’s what it took. That plus more $ could be enticing enough.
Good stuff LUV