Sacks are celebrated, and the Bucs had four during Friday night’s 24-16 preseason win against the Jets.
Elijah Roberts had one, but it was his two tackles for loss on running plays that brought more high-fives to the second-year defensive lineman who started nine games as a rookie last season.
“That was honestly the biggest thing for me this whole offseason and all of camp,” Roberts said. “Just trying to get better in the run game. I knew I could be a good pass rusher once I stopped thinking so much about the pass game. The main thing for me this offseason was run game, run game, run game.”
Statistically, the Bucs ranked 16th last season, allowing 4.2 yards per carry.
Even with nose tackle Vita Vea not playing and maintaining his stance that he wants to be traded amid a contract dispute, the Bucs were able to bottle up the Jets run game.
While you can’t really excuse a lapse that led to Braelon Allen’s 31-yard rushing touchdown, take away that play and the Bucs held the Jets to 60 yards on 20 carries, a respectable 3.0-yard average.
“I know Elijah Roberts flashed early,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “He’s been having a very good camp in the run game and the pass game and he’s one of our best pass rushers that we count on.”
Roberts has been overlooked this offseason, primarily due to the arrival of first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. and the Vea saga.
A year ago, he stepped into the starting lineup when defensive tackle Calijah Kancey went down with a calf strain.
Roberts, a former Miami and Southern Methodist star, could provide some relief for the Bucs if Vea’s hold-in continues into Week 1 at Cincinnati. Without the 31-year-old Vea, it’s a pretty young group on the D-line.
That includes former Central Arkansas star David Walker, who had two tackles in a limited role Friday night.
“I didn’t see it in the first couple plays, but it’s really important to see it in the run game,” Bowles said of Walker. “His talent is undeniable from the pass rush standpoint, but we want to see his overall game.”
The Bucs made a concerted effort to get bigger on the defensive line in the offseason, particularly enabling them not to have to bring as many resources from the secondary to stop the run.
Players such as A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches will add energy and run-stuffing ability. But Roberts could be a big key to their success.The Bucs also were encouraged by the development under defensive line coach Marcus West.
“He did a heck of a job (Friday) night. He showed up with the lights on,” Bowles said of Roberts. “He’s a solid player. He doesn’t get much run with all the others playing. ... You don’t hear about him much but he got a chance to (Friday) night and showed everybody who he was. He’s a hard worker.”
Of course, the Bucs are just getting started this season. It’s a marathon. But stopping the run and getting good performance from players inside the defensive line meeting room is key.
“It’s more of the run stopping,” Bowles said. ”We know (Roberts) can rush the passer. He’s one of our better interior pass rushers. But him playing the run this year, starting with training camp and leading up to this ballgame and taking on double teams the right away has been great to see."
Up next
PRESEASON HOME OPENER
vs. Chiefs, 7:30 Aug. 22, Raymond James Stadium TV/radio: WFLA-Ch. 8; 97.9-FM
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