Injuries Mean Opportunity For One Bucs Rookie
September 18th, 2025
Bucs rookie DL Elijah Roberts.
One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity.
Now Joe isn’t going overboard. No one on the Buos roster will be able to replace Calijah Kancey. Despite missing the first five games last year, Kancey was a rock of stability the rest of the way.
And despite missing those first five games, Kancey still led the Bucs in sacks. Joe doesn’t know what that means: Is Kancey that good or was the rest of the 2024 Bucs that piss poor getting after the quarterback?
So a team crying for more sacks the past three seasons loses its season-leader in sacks; that’s a major blow.
Of course, veterans Greg Gaines or Logan Hall likely will start in Kancey’s spot. Gaines had a sack on Monday night. But the guy who will be seeing his snap counts rise with Kancey out is rookie Elijah Roberts, who had a half-sack on Monday.
The former Miami and SMU defensive end was being molded to back up Logan Hall and stop the run, not necessarily rush the passer. That’s where he needed the most work after 17 1/2 sacks in his past two college seasons.
Bowles talked about Roberts on Wednesday.
“He’s been coming on by the week,” Bowles said. “I’m really happy with his athletic ability.
“Him understanding the scheme a lot better means he can play a lot faster, and the more confidence he gains the better you see his ability coming out.
“He’s been doing really well the past few weeks.”
Well, now Roberts is going to be getting a lot more snaps and experience and hopefully, that turns into an even quicker player.
If Roberts wasn’t hip with being groomed to back up Hall, now that Kancey is out, it’s his chance to show he may have more worth by putting quarterbacks on their arses.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:04 am
What is the reason for him not playing edge?
September 18th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Bc this teams allergic to putting ppl in their natural position. Honestly im sick of it. This team plays im smarter than you too often. Let the guy play. We dont have a pass rush at all. You’d think wed put him in the best position instead we turn him into a project. And this crap isnt the first time weve done it
September 18th, 2025 at 9:09 am
it seems the bucs played harder than the Texans even CJ said they were lollygagging. The bucs are trying so hard flying around trying to get to the Super Bowl win some really tough games against good opponents and that’s why there’s so many injuries they’ve been playing with a lack of regard for their own bodies, you see the hits they’re taking J Mac Mek…It’s going to be hard to sustain going forward with a backup offensive line.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:09 am
I do want to see how he performs. He’s bigger and stronger than Kancey and could be a major player in our pass rush.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:10 am
Thank you Elijah Roberts! Cause there ain’t nobody that likes seeing “quarterbacks on their arses” more than our Joe!!
September 18th, 2025 at 9:10 am
I think he’s ready to start.
He’s only gonna get better also with more reps and more confidence.
Logan Hall gonna move to kanceys role and then what Roberts on the RTs shoulder ? Maybe Greg Gaines at DE also could be a more effective replacement.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:11 am
Sounds to me like Gaines will get more snaps at the 3 tech, than backing up Vea at NT. Bucs just signed Simmons 335 lbs, they also have another 335 lb NT on the PS they can elevate. That said, Roberts will be getting more snaps at end, and tackle. On the O line Chukuma has to be getting more reps. We got some young players that need to step up. They’re getting extra opportunity, take advantage.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:14 am
I hope Elijah Roberts steps in and produces. It’s a great opportunity.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:16 am
i have confidence in roberts, hall, and gaines. OL is freaking me out though. good thing it’s licht’s specialty.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Totally agree on Chukhwuma-play him and see what he has.
The real question is could we improve our roster by cutting Braswell?
September 18th, 2025 at 9:28 am
Give Hall three weeks off and put him on the Ravens supplement program and you may have a player ,,,,,, Yes in just three weeks he will be 10 to 15 percent stronger and 5 percent quicker and that’s a 15 million dollar a year difference!!
Just an Observation and don’t even mention the Bucs are physical, talented but they are fishing with cane poles when it comes to strength and conditioning and you see it with the injuries……….. the one thing you get with NFL supplement programs is it’s hard to carry enough water in your body, but how the box are pulling hamstrings all the time so it really doesn’t matter………. Double the order IV bags and get in the game…… Go Bucs !!
September 18th, 2025 at 9:39 am
gotta agree with a few folks on here…
1.) it really bugs me when this staff drafts a Tackle and sticks him at Guard lol…or draft and DE and stick him at DT…but they’re the pros lol…
2.) i would like to see Roberts play DE on the early downs and slid him inside on 3rd down…i think this kid can be a solid DE…
3.) i think Chukwuma is ready to play…Heck didnt look terrible imo…he was solid…
3-0!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
September 18th, 2025 at 9:51 am
I was hoping Roberts would help the. pass rush since draft day and especially since David Walker went down.
September 18th, 2025 at 10:39 am
Watched him for three plays Monday night. He was stood up on one but was able to apply pressure on the other two. Not bad, but small sample size.
Now he gets a chance to prove himself. Didn’t see his half sack. Musta been “busy” in the room where some of us … read!
September 18th, 2025 at 10:57 am
813bucboi Says:
1.) it really bugs me when this staff drafts a Tackle and sticks him at Guard
^^^^^^^^
The LT is typically the best OL on the team. Drafting a LT that could possibly make the NFL means you’re getting a stud G. It’s worked for Licht nearly every time. Goe is the only one that didn’t work. Plus, you can kick them out to T and its second nature.
September 18th, 2025 at 11:43 am
“What is the reason for him not playing edge?“
There’s a level of athleticism Roberts doesn’t have that is required to play OLB in a base 3-4 which is no knock on him, considering we drafted David Walker to do exactly that.
We could play him like JPP(Nelly now), which was more like a hybridized front with JPP being the base 4-3 style DE & Shaq being the more athletic, hybridized 3-4 OLB.
Also, you’d have to take someone with at least 2 seasons more experience off the field in exchange, Roberts has looked promising but he’s doing pretty good so far against interior OLmen. Still working on his approach to run fits, but in both run & pass his strength stands out on film.
September 18th, 2025 at 11:49 am
Elijah Roberts is a big man (6’4″ & 295 lbs) compared to several of our other DLinemen & OLBs. Reggie White played DE his entire career at that size (6’5″ & 291 lbs) as did JJ Watt (6’5″ & 288 lbs). but I could see Roberts moving inside some to take Kancey’s spot; for a man his size, his 4.78 sec in the 40 isn’t all that shabby. Not as quick as Kancey (4.67) but still, not that shabby.
September 18th, 2025 at 11:50 am
Ufcguy!
Team Aqualung gives you a standing ovation and is opening a breakfast beer in your honor. Well said.
September 18th, 2025 at 11:54 am
Todd Bowles is content to keep legit pass rushing talent off the field so that they can learn to play the run in practice… sacks and QB pressure be damned.
September 18th, 2025 at 12:24 pm
What you do to get Roberts to rush from the edge is you put in some 4-3 looks. Bring in an extra safety instead of 3 LBs. Hall as the other end, Vea, Gaines inside. Rush four big boys. Both Roberts, and Hall were 4-3 D ends in college. Use them as such in certain downs. Play to your players strenght.
September 18th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Time to shine Elijah….I pushed for us to draft you so lets show them.
September 18th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Braswell is a GHOST