Tag: Kacy Rodgers

Bucs DL coach Kacy Rodgers talks Yaya Diaby’s development and more

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers breaks down Yaya Diaby’s growth, his unit’s overall depth, and much more

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a solid defensive front, thanks to some veteran stars and promising young talent, but they’re looking to make some big improvements in 2024.

Vita Vea anchors the unit, and longtime stalwart William Gholston is back, while last year’s rookie pair of Calijah Kancey and Yaya Diaby proved the Bucs have a bright future in the defensive trenches. They’ve been solid overall against the run, but they know the pass rush has to get better this season.

Tampa Bay defensive line coach/running game coordinator Kacy Rodgers recently spoke with the media about Diaby’s development, the team’s depth along the defensive front heading into the 2024 season, and much more:

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Bucs co-DC Kacy Rodgers talks impact of Devin White, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Tampa Bay Buccaneers co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers breaks down the impact of two young stars on his side of the ball

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off back-to-back wins, as well as a much-needed bye week, as they prepare for Sunday’s road trip to face the Cleveland Browns.

After a rough patch of inconsistent play, the Bucs defense has set the tone for team’s recent success, with some dominant play against the defending Super Bowl champs, as well as a Seattle Seahawks team that had won four straight games.

Two young playmakers have been key to Tampa Bay’s stellar performances on that side of the ball, as linebacker Devin White and outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have been flying all over the field.

Bucs co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers spoke with the media Monday about the traits that make both of those players so important to that success:

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Bucs defense expecting takeaways to come back ‘in bunches’

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expecting to end their takeaway drought soon, and hoping to make up for lost time

Back in Week 2, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense forced four turnovers in a span of nine plays, helping to seal a 20-10 road win over the division-rival New Orleans Saints.

That same defense is currently riding a four-game streak without a single takeaway.

Injuries have obviously contributed heavily to Tampa Bay’s defensive struggles in recent weeks, with key players at every level missing time, and star pass rusher Shaq Barrett now out for the year.

Even through the drought, Bucs co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers is confident that his group will be able to start creating those takeaways in bunches as the season progresses:

Key defenders like Carlton Davis III, Akiem Hicks, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Antoine Winfield Jr. all returned to practice with an upgraded status this week, which bodes well for those “bunches” of turnovers to start this week against the Los Angeles Rams.

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Could Giants, Brian Daboll target Kacy Rodgers for position on staff?

Could the New York Giants target Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers for a position on Brian Daboll’s staff?

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The New York Giants are now set at general manager and head coach, which means it’s time for Brian Daboll & Co. to begin compiling his staff.

Although offensive and defensive coordinators will warrant the most attention, there’s still plenty of other positions to fill. Case in point: defensive line coach.

Sean Spencer, who was the D-Line coach under Joe Judge, has already departed for the University of Florida this offseason. That means one of the Giants’ first truly open positions comes along the defensive line, and they might already have their eyes on someone to fill it.

Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers D-Line coach Kacy Rodgers has drawn interest from the Giants, but they’re not alone.

Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers has drawn interest from the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants, per sources.

If NFL legend Tom Brady were to retire — something that is currently up in the air — there’s a belief that an exodus may occur in Tampa Bay. That would mean assistant coaches like Rodgers shaking loose.

Rodgers, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992 and later in the CFL, broke into coaching with Tennessee-Martin in 1994. He spent four years with the university, coaching the D-Line and later serving as the assistant coach, before moving onto Northeast Louisiana. He also coached at Middle Tennessee State and Arkansas before breaking into the NFL.

In 2003, Rodgers was hired as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive tackles coach. He was later promoted to defensive line coach and spend three years in that role. He held the same title for the Miami Dolphins from 2008-2014 before being hired as defensive coordinator of the New York Jets. After four years in East Rutherford, he joined the Bucs, where he remains today.

It’s possible the Giants see Rodgers as defensive coordinator candidate, but they more likely view him as a potential Sean Spencer replacement.

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Defensive coach profile: VFL Kacy Rodgers

First-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is in the process of assembling his staff for the Vols.

First-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is in the process of assembling his staff for the Vols.

One defensive coaching candidate is Kacy Rodgers.

Rodgers played at Tennessee and is currently serving as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive line coach. Tampa Bay defeated Kansas City in Super Bowl LV.

Rodgers’ lone season coaching in the Southeastern Conference came in 2002 at Arkansas before launching his NFL coaching career.

He served as Dallas’ defensive tackles coach from 2003-04 before overseeing the Cowboys’ defensive line (2005-07). Rodgers oversaw the defensive line unit at Miami from 2008-14.

Defensive Coordinator Kacy Rodgers of the New York Jets stands on the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns during the game at MetLife Stadium on September 13, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

In 2015, Rodgers first became a defensive coordinator with the Jets. He held that position through 2018 before serving as Tampa Bay’s defensive line coach since 2019.

Rodgers is a Humboldt, Tennessee native and played for the Vols from 1988-91 as a defensive end. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 1992. The former Vol played for the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League in 1994.

Rodgers launched his coaching career at UT Martin in 1994 as a defensive line coach. He would also serve in the same capacity at Middle Tennessee State from 1999-2001.

Jun 4, 2019; Tampa, FL; Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) talks with defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers during minicamp at AdventHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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