It might have been delayed, however the true Calijah Kancey debut was a blast for anybody who roots for or follows the Bucs, or the NFL for that matter.
Kancey missed the whole preseason on account of a calf harm. He was in a position to begin Week 1 in Minnesota, however had an especially abbreviated outing, exiting the sport after simply 11 snaps on account of an aggravation of that harm. However on Sunday, at house, within the creamsicle jerseys, Kancey reminded Bucs followers of an extended legacy of elite defensive deal with play.
40 snaps.
28 cross rush reps (per Professional Soccer Focus).
Six pressures.
Having performed lower than a game-and-a-half Kancey is already tied for sixth within the NFL amongst rookie defensive linemen in pressures with eight. He’s additionally fourth general and second amongst inside rushers in cross rush win charge. In brief, he has shortly proven himself to be a dude. Listed here are however a couple of of his greatest reps from Sunday’s matchup towards the Detroit Lions.
A bit of mix of a few of Kancey’s greatest reps pic.twitter.com/RB5wRngnQ1
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) October 17, 2023
Breaking Down Calijah Kancey’s Highlights In Bucs’ Loss To Lions
Bucs DTs Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and Logan Corridor – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Placing Kancey subsequent to Vita Vea provides the Bucs an inside line that matches up with lots of the extra elite models within the NFL like San Francisco, each of the NYC groups and Philadelphia. It additionally helps the remainder of the cross rushers on the defensive position get extra advantageous reps. He’s one among many brilliant spots on the protection in a disappointing loss. Regardless of his extraordinarily small body he makes use of his pace and leverage like few others can.
On the primary rep he makes use of his pace to get contained in the guard’s body and prevents him from utilizing his arms. As soon as he has the guard pushed backwards, he flips his hips and turns the nook to stress Lions quarterback Jared Goff and assist have an effect on the throw.
Second rep Kancey treats elite proper deal with Penei Sewell like a toddler, stacking and shedding him with ease earlier than engulfing the working again.
Third rep he takes benefit of a cross safety blown name and runs by the working again, simply lacking a sack.
Bucs DTs Calijah Kancey and Logan Corridor – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Fourth rep Kancey throws a false bounce into an inside rip earlier than knocking Goff to the bottom. In my view this was completely one of the best cross rush of the day for him and definitely probably the most enjoyable. In simply his second sport he’s already throwing out distinctive strikes that opposing offensive linemen don’t see week-to-week and can wrestle to organize for.
Fifth rep he is ready to as soon as once more lean on his fast go off the road to beat Sewell to his spot and penetrate the road to explode the within zone run.
On the ultimate rep of the clip, Kancey will get his first sack of the 12 months from a 5-technique, showcasing some outdoors versatility. He loops round Logan Corridor, drives by the left guard earlier than wrapping up Goff for the takedown.
This isn’t the primary time the Bucs have utilized Kancey’s pace and lateral agility to get him free on a loop. It was his signature play from Week 1 as effectively.
I firmly consider Kancey goes to be a dude, however discuss setting him up for fulfillment. JTS as the two shade, Vita lined up as a 5, Kancey as a large 7 whereas Shaq is ISO’d to the offenses left. JTS drags the C in the direction of Shaq giving the WAO gap for Kancey to loop by. pic.twitter.com/OOrxn5XL9X
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) September 12, 2023
In fact, it’s a very small pattern dimension, however Calijah Kancey’s arrow is definitely pointing manner up.
