Joe sees greatness in Calijah Kancey, when he’s not wearing street clothes injured, and so does a former Buccaneer.
Kancey is explosive and productive, a special talent at defensive tackle who has proven worthy of a 2023 first-round pick at No. 19 overall.
Now it’s time for Kancey to hit another level — more impact plays and more health. That’s the next step in his development, says ex-Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996).
Beckles hosted a rare offseason edition of his In The Trenches podcast and called out Kancey as a Bucs player that needs to step up in his third season — like a legend did before him.
Talking about players who “need to step up” this season, Beckles spent a lot of time on No. 94.
“Calijah Kancey, I see signs of greatness but I don’t see it enough,” Beckles said. “I think your development is going the way it should go; now it’s time to take it to the next level. Warren Sapp, his first year, he was almost silent. Second year he started to make a lot of noise and by the third year, you couldn’t not hear his name. I believe this is Calijah’s third year, it’s time now. It’s time for you to start taking over some games. You’re making plays, but it’s time to take over some games.”
Joe can’t argue with Beckles here. Kancey is knocking on the door of greatness.
As for making more plays, Joe can only imagine how Kancey whiffing on Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels in the backfield on 3rd-and-1 with a minute remaining in January’s playoff game has tortured Kancey all offseason. Heck, it’s tortured Joe.
If Kancey makes that play, Washington attempts a much tougher field goal and the Bucs would have gotten the ball back. Instead, Daniels got a first down and Washington doinked in a short field goal to start the Bucs’ long offseason.
Jayden takes it himself!! 1st down and in FG range with less than :40 to go 👀
📺: #WASvsTB on NBC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/YFb1x4TrHq
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025
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Calijah Kancey's Missed Tackle