Entering Year Two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is focusing on the mental aspect of the game and attention to detail during pre-padded work to foster ascension. Like the body, the mind is a muscle that must be trained.
Kancey, the team's first round draft pick in 2023 out of Pittsburgh, produced a stellar rookie campaign. He concluded the 2023 season with 10 tackles for loss, which tied for second among rookies with Texans' Will Anderson Jr. Additionally, he had the fourth-highest stuff rate among defensive tackles (minimum 150 snaps) per Next Gen Stats. Kancey totaled 577 snaps for the Bucs last season, primarily lining up as the club's three-technique. He posted 4.0 sacks and consistently produced splash plays in critical moments. Against the Lions in the Divisional Round, Kancey galvanized the defense. He made several crucial plays in the first half to hold Detroit to 10 points, including a third-down pass deflection on the Lions' first possession that led to a subsequent three-and-out, and a third-down sack on the Lions' last drive of the half.
Although his sack numbers did not 'wow' on the stat sheet, his presence was felt. Kancey consistently collapsed the pocket and moved opposing quarterbacks off their spot. Throughout the offseason, Bucs' Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers has harped on hand placement. The second-year player received an impromptu instructional session with Buccaneers' legend Gerald McCoy at practice on Sunday. Between reps on the field, McCoy worked through pass rush maneuvers with Kancey to enhance his arsenal.
"So, when I am working a technique, I got through but if you want a clean win, the way he [McCoy] was showing me, was the arm-over and the finish on the technique to help me get through clearer," noted Kancey.
Iron sharpens iron and Kancey soaked up the constructive feedback like a sponge. Throughout his rookie campaign, Kancey showcased his rare first-step burst, change-of-direction skills and high-motor. His impact on the field was even more impressive considering he missed all of training camp last year due to a calf injury and the first three weeks of the regular season. Kancey played 12 snaps in the season opener – including a hit on the quarterback – then reaggravated the calf, forcing him to miss additional time. This time around, Kancey is making the most of every drill on the field in the competitive ramp-up. During the offseason, Kancey set his personal goals for the 2024 season: Earn All-Pro honors, be named to the Pro Bowl and post double-digit sacks.
With a year under his belt and tape acquired in the pros to learn from, Kancey and linemate Vita Vea could become one of the most formidable tandems in the NFL. When asked about their relationship, Kancey stressed "accountability."
"There is no ceiling for the two of us and for the team," Kancey emphatically said. "As far as us, we have a year down in the books and we know how each other plays and we know how to feed off of each other. If I need to give more, he will tell me and if I need him to give more, I will tell him. That is how we hold each other accountable. Right before we break out of the huddle, the captains and everyone else just tells each other, 'Alright, I need to give more. We need to get off the field. The team needs a turnover,' or something like that."
