Elijah Roberts Once Played For Bucs’ New DL Coach Charlie Strong
May 10th, 2025
Bucs rookie DL Elijah Roberts.
Bucs’ fifth-round pick Elijah Roberts, a defensive lineman out of SMU by way of Miami, is currently working as a down lineman, though he can play on the edge as well.
He’s built like Will Gholston. So Joe figures given how Gholston is getting long in the tooth and is unemployed, the Bucs may be looking at Roberts as Logan Hall’s backup.
There are a couple of mysteries with Bucs coaches this fall. First is, of course, new Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. He’s never been a playcaller, so the book on him is fully blank.
The Bucs lost a key coach on the defensive side, too. Kacy Rodgers bolted for the same position at Detroit. That seemed odd to Joe, like Rodgers thought his job wasn’t secure here.
Rodgers is a long-time Bowles soldier. And if you don’t care about sacks, Rodgers did a helluva job with the Bucs’ defensive line when it came to run defense.
Joe has a bad feeling the Bucs will miss him. To replace Rodgers, the Bucs hired former USF, Texas and Louisville coach Charlie Strong.
The long-time college coach has a very limited NFL resume. He coached for Urban Meyer one year in Jacksonville. Joe wouldn’t blame Strong if that one season vanished from his resume.
So who knows what the well-traveled Strong will do coaching up or attempting to coach up men in the NFL?
Initially, Roberts thought Strong will be alright. Why does he say that? Because Strong was Roberts’ assistant defensive coordinator for one season at the University of Miami.
“He’s like one of the cool coaches here for sure,” Roberts said of Strong. “He knows how to teach us. He knows how to reach us. He’s been great. He kind of gives you that college feel a little bit. Kind of joking but serious at the same time.
“Coach Strong is a cool guy as it is. He likes to play around a little bit, but he likes to work as well.”
Roberts didn’t go into any further details, other than to say several Bucs defenders have crossed paths with Strong on the college level.
It is not like Strong doesn’t have a stable of talent. So if he can keep the Bucs’ defensive linemen engaged, there shouldn’t be a drop off.
Joe was a big fan of Rodgers, at least when he was just focused on stopping the run. He once openly admitted he didn’t care about sacks. Joe is still triggered by this.
May 10th, 2025 at 6:48 pm
For Kacy Rodgers even though it was a lateral move, he was not being promoted to defensive coordinator for the Bucs and he was basically in a position that if and when Bowles was fired it might have been hard for him to find a position again with another team.
This way, he makes another connection in the coaching circle.
May 10th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Strong is an upgrade
May 10th, 2025 at 8:20 pm
I agree that Strong is an upgrade. Internally the writing may have been on the wall for Rogers so he bolted.
May 10th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
Strong was a LB and co Def coordinater at UM. The DL coach spent the most time with him but he said he did know him.
May 10th, 2025 at 8:40 pm
One thing TB said when he got the HC job was that one has to do things “their way”. I believe he was referring to his old HC job with the J E T S Jets and that statement said he was going to do things “his way” and let things play out from there. He inherited a team from BA with all that coach’s staff, players, etc. Got rid of the OC next year and has been instrumental in bringing in Mayfield, and other players, keeping their own core players as well as cleaning out the coaching ranks and hiring those who he thinks can get the job done. And he has let coach’s go with class and dignity, which sends a message to a lot of people as to his character. He has steadily increased wins every year with cap issues, sub par players due to cap restraints and availability, 2 straight years of mid season losing streaks and various other issues. With everything being said and seen if he fails it is totally on him, but so far I think he has done a tremendous job and hope he continues cause it’s only good for us. Let’s build a dynasty when everyone thought they were extinct.
May 10th, 2025 at 9:39 pm
I remember when Strong was with my Gamecocks….he’s a welcomed addition, just watch…and Todd just might make him DC so he can handle HC stuff….we’ll see.
May 11th, 2025 at 3:39 am
Was pumped to hear we hired Strong. Bring a Gator fan I remember when he was out defensive coordinator for Meyer during the glory years. I think he will do fine. He brings alot of experience and is well respected along the players.
UPGRADE for me.
May 11th, 2025 at 6:20 am
Why does that picc remind md of a young Simeon Rice?
May 11th, 2025 at 10:02 am
The D line looks to be more talented this year. If they can stay on the field, get more experience, and coached up… All will be well.
May 11th, 2025 at 10:21 am
“If you don’t care about sacks…” Weren’t Kancey, Vea, and Hall the leading sackers on the team?
May 11th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
“Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
May 11th, 2025 at 6:20 am
Why does that pic remind me of a young Simeon Rice?”
Sure does! It would be a great result if his play also resembled Simeon Rice.
May 11th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
I first met Charlie Strong in 1987 when he brought Emmitt to a party at my apartment in Gainesville. He met a friend of ours that night and has been married to her for about 35 years. I have followed his career ever since. He is a really good man and coach…I admire him tremendously!
May 11th, 2025 at 2:58 pm
And to all you bitchers and whiners about Todd Bowles….must I remind you of names like Leeman Bennett, Greg Schiano and Ray Perkins. We have the worst record in the history of professional sports, yet TB has taken to the playoffs every year of his tenure. I have my issues with him also, but it’s a helluva lot funner to watch this team than for many seasons in the past!!
Btw…I went to my first game in 1976 as an 11 year old, was a season ticket holder for decades in both stadia and remember the ineptitude & greed of the Culverhouse klan. This is the golden age of Buccaneer football!