Marcus West Defends Calijah Kancey
May 20th, 2026
The thought of coaching Calijah Kancey has Bucs DL coach Marcus West smiling.
Let’s be real: 2025 was a wasted season for Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey.
Sadly, Kancey is very talented but injury-prone. That’s the only way Joe can spin it.
In the 51 regular-season Bucs game since Kancey was drafted, Kancey has been on the field for just 28 of those 51 games. That’s 54 percent, not exactly the way to get a contract extension.
Yesterday, Bucs defensive line coach Marcus West cautioned Bucs fans not to write off Kancey. Because if he can stay on the field, Kancey is an absolute monster, West noted.
“Calijah Kancey, he is a first-round draft pick for a reason, obviously,” West said. “He hasn’t had the full season lately, because of injuries have happened.
“But you’ve got to remember he did have a seven-and-a-half sack season two years ago, which is a heck of an accomplishment for a defensive tackle, an interior defensive tackle.
“So, I mean, to have the opportunity to bring that out of him again, and him coming off of a year of, you know, disappointing injuries.”
Joe agrees. For some context, six-time Bucs Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy had more than 7.5 sacks only three times (never 10). And GMC did this, averaging 14 games played in those three seasons.
Kancey played in only 12 games in 2024 and had 7.5 sacks.
So West is right. If Kancey can somehow stay healthy, he can be a total force. He’s already demonstrated it.
But, as the old Bill Parcells saying goes, “Your best ability is your availability.”
In other words, you can’t help the club in the tub.
May 20th, 2026 at 4:51 am
People claim that he get injured because he too small to play DT but I’m not sure I agree with it. He’s pulling his calf muscles in non padded practices. That doesn’t seem like an injury that would be caused by his size.
I really hope he can play a full season because when he plays this defense is so much more dangerous.
May 20th, 2026 at 5:37 am
He is a bust. His best ability is unavailability
May 20th, 2026 at 5:46 am
Wasn’t Marcus West the coach of Buffalos D line? And weren’t they TERRIBLE against the run?
Our coaches leave a lot to be desired. Top to bottom.
May 20th, 2026 at 6:45 am
Hope he stays healthy and we get what we thought he was when drafted. He won’t have to play as many snaps per game since the interior line depth has been upgraded. Wouldn’t mind seeing on the edge some on passing 3rd downs. He pretty good when not hurt.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:03 am
Sissy azz divas who can’t play 3 games in a row. Paper Mache. “Strained calf” for 5 games? Guy won’t play 6 games this year. Trade him for a bag of old footballs.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:23 am
Buffalo doesn’t have a lot of star players on their defensive line either. Not necessarily a good way to measure how good a coach West is.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:27 am
Buster Kancey is barely on the team. Why do we even talk about him? He may have had a few sacks one year but he has never made a game-changing play. (Neither have I, at least at this level). When he did play, it was one or two plays a game and then…..nothing. So let’s move on until he forces us, and defensive coordinators, to pay attention.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:55 am
Unbelievable talent. No doubt.
Makes zero difference when you’re in street clothes.
May 20th, 2026 at 7:57 am
Kancey, Bain, Robinson, 2 new starting LB’s, new nickel back, new Defensive coaches – alot of upgrades and reason for optimism- need the stay healthy luck.
May 20th, 2026 at 8:34 am
Fishhawkbuc Says:
He is a bust. His best ability is unavailability
^^^^^^^^^
Nailed it.
Compounding injuries. Expect more. Too little/brittle for the NFL.
May 20th, 2026 at 8:55 am
All you ever read about on here is coaches defending players. Analysts talking up prospects. Guys playing good in t shirt football etc. And then the season starts and its crickets. Their play and impact during a game is the only thing that matters.
May 20th, 2026 at 9:08 am
Crazy how judgmental and critical many of these posters that have never suited up for any sports in their lives are. Same dudes that are sore for two days after mowing their lawns or can’t bend down to tie their shoes somehow think they have insight on what it means to be a dedicated and talented athlete. Y’all’s biggest ability is to run your mouths with absolutely no knowledge or experience to back it up.
May 20th, 2026 at 9:45 am
That’s our job Brandon.
How many snaps do you think Mina Kimes has under her skirt?
May 20th, 2026 at 9:47 am
CK94 has to play a full season this year…the talent is there but he’s hurting the team if he cant play
GO BUCS!!!!
May 20th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Brandon, what do you expect all of us retired / out-of-work former GMs and coaches are going to do? We comment on what we see.
May 20th, 2026 at 11:35 am
The best ability…..
I think I speak for most fans when I say that I am really rooting for him. I want him to succeed. In order for him to succeed, he’s got to be on the field.
I want to know how Brandon knew I just mowed my lawn….and AM sore!!!
May 20th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
He is a talented bust. We have had our share of those.
May 20th, 2026 at 2:10 pm
No doubt Kancey is a straight up Baller…when he is healthy. Dude gotta find a way to stay healthy. I mean he might not be for this league as a durable player. We will see. I’m sure the trainers worked with him offseason and he got some other assistance. Love the guy. If he can stay healthy. We got perhaps one of the best defenses in the NFl.
May 20th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Bucfanman,
He has experience. He’s right of course but that points to inside knowledge. Even I feel a big difference in recovery these days. I’m Quite Sure that’s where and why the phrase…. “Old age sucks” comes from…
Ok, no doubt about it. I’m already to the point of up to half day, (depending on just how tough the working day before was) to recover.
That’s new for me. I never used to really need more than a good night’s sleep before now.
May 20th, 2026 at 6:54 pm
They really should consider moving Kancey to DE.