Calijah Kancey’s One-Of-A-Kind Trait

November 27th, 2024

Is Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey the best defensive tackle in the NFL?

No, he’s not, but he’s certainly among the most unique, and among the most productive on a per-game basis.

After another preseason calf issue cost Kancey the entire preseason and five regular season games, the Bucs’ second-year beast now has five sacks in six games. Perhaps more important, he’s flashed rare skill and racked up a bunch of other numbers.

Todd Bowles says Kancey is one-of-a-kind on his defensive line.

“He’s the only one up front that can get off a block and then explode from A to B right now,” Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network. “I mean, his closing speed on the quarterback is faster than what the quarterback thinks it is. And he can get there right now and it kind of surprises quarterbacks because he’s so quick getting back there.

“He’s still tapping his potential. And he can see what he can do right now, and it’s a scary thought.”

The sadsack Panthers, Sunday’s opponent, have played a few centers this season and made changes along their offensive line. The Carolina O-line may be the team’s strength, but that doesn’t raise it to the level of “good.”

Joe sees the Bucs’ remaining schedule and thinks Kancey can challenge for double-digit sacks this season.

28 Responses to “Calijah Kancey’s One-Of-A-Kind Trait”

  1. Larrd Says:

    Kancey is definitely a 10 sack DT if he can ever play all the games. Big Vita has been good, too. Two firsts for Micah Parsons and the Bucs pass rush would be ferocious.

  2. ATLBUC Says:

    Now that’s a thought! 🤔 But I think JPP was the last in season trade.

  3. Kenton Smith Says:

    Wondered when we were gonna start giving this guy his due. Joe great question to open. Bowles says”his closing speed on the quarterback is faster than what the quarterback thinks it is “. Ain’t that the truth! “He’s still tapping his potential…and it’s a scary thought “. Todd Bowles that’s funnier than hell! I’m laughing right now “He’s the only one up front that can get off a block and then explode from A to B right now “. This is hilarious!! And Vita is right next to him! Stop it!! My sides are killing me!!

  4. A Bucs Fan Says:

    @ATLBUC – JPP was acquired in March. The last in-season trade was Grant Stuard to the Colts. Before that it was Jonathan Banks and Jonathan Casillias years ago.

  5. A Bucs Fan Says:

    Kancey is a 15-20 sack DT if he ever stays healthy. He’ll finish over 10 this season if he remains healthy.

  6. Jeff Says:

    Carolina 17 Bucs 13. Baker has a pick six.

  7. A Bucs Fan Says:

    Carolina has give up over 1700 yards on the ground and 17 TD’s. Bucs could run for 200 yards and 4 TD’s.

  8. A Bucs Fan Says:

    @Joe Bucky is ranked 5th in the entire NFL in yards per touch (min 100 attempts). Right behind Saquon Barkley himself.

  9. #99 the big fella Says:

    Jeff , we don’t need fans like you..take a hike

  10. Usfbuc Says:

    The Bucs aren’t losing to the Panthers. I predict a big outing by the offense. ME is going to be more involved this week. I think he pulls in two TDs and 150 yards. Run game is going to roll too, I am calling 200+ yards rushing. Bucs will jump out to an early lead forcing the Panthers to pass in the second half and we will get 4 sacks bc of the number of drop backs.

  11. Tony Says:

    I wanted Kancey coming out, too! I always had a feeling he could be good.

  12. Woodenman Says:

    Just bet the opposite of what ever Jeff says you win every time.

  13. GoneGator Says:

    He might break Bryce Young in 2 if he hits him like he did Devito 🤣

    Talk about shot from a cannon!

    When him and Vita are both healthy for more than a minute they can be among the, if not THE best interior duo in the league 👍🏼

    If the edge guys can start getting more pressure/finish our entire defense could formidable as the season progresses. Just keep your head down and keep improving, week to week.

  14. Tony Says:

    @Jeff

    Then Bryce has a pick six & then it ends up being 20-17 Bucs.👍

  15. Bojim Says:

    Hes getting scary good.

  16. Beeej Says:

    Has Baker thrown a pick-6 since he’s BEEN here?

  17. B Says:

    Maybe we put him on the edge? Then drop him back in pass protection…oh wait, nevermind.

  18. Buc1987 Says:

    Jeff loses all by himself.

  19. firethecannons Says:

    Hope this is not a trap game, look forward to watching Kancey, hope he stays healthy rest of the year.

  20. Dave Pear Says:

    Wow. Good point.

  21. garro Says:

    Bowles aint kidding. I was thinking a couple of times lately that he looks quicker to the QB than I remember Sapp being. Although I’m sure Warren would disagree. LOL

    Funny but Vea steam rolls guys Kancey makes it look like they whiffed on him. Opposite ends of the spectrum but the same result.

    Go Bucs!

  22. Vanessa Anne Says:

    It really has been amazing to watch what Calijah and Vita can do these past few games.

    The speed and quickness Calijah displays when Vita ties up the opposing teams’ interior O-line is unbelievable. Blink and you miss it.

    Tommy Cutlets nearly got sliced in half on that one play last week.

    Lets hope they both stay healthy.

    And lets not take the Panthers for granted. They’ve been surging a little bit lately and we could take an L, if our entire team doesn’t bring its A game.

  23. Jeffrey Becker Says:

    my favorite buccaneer easy. hoping he trades some calf work for yoga though. all athletes benefit from increased range of motion, and you won’t get hurt doing it. take 20 pct of the weight room work and turn it into yoga. injuries will likely be less frequent. no idea what we do so horribly wrong that guarantees we always have critical injury issues, but weights is a good place to start looking for answers

  24. Glass Half Full Guy Says:

    Bucs pass rush isn’t an issue. We have guys like Kancey, VV, Nelson, etc that can get to the QB. The problem is we get torched on quick passes because the DBs give up too much cushion off the line in Bowles’ zone scheme, especially over the middle. You’d have to have a guy in the QB’s grille in under 2 seconds to prevent that. Tighten up the coverage off the line to take away the quick passes and your sacks will increase. That’s why rookie QBs torch us. Their OCs don’t ask the rookies to do much more than dink and dunk for the most part and our loose coverage allows for it to work.

  25. Lou. Says:

    Don’t remember “etc.” making any impact at all.

  26. Glass Half Full Guy Says:

    @Lou … etc was a walk-on, undrafted free agent, so he goes largely unnoticed. 😉 Happy Thanksgiving!

  27. Cobraboy Says:

    Kamcey’s kryptonite is he’s proven so far to be injury-prone.

  28. orlbucfan Says:

    Hope Kancey stays healthy and finishes the season. Any update on SVD?