Rondé Barber: Rueben Bain Will Be Transformative For Bucs Culture
April 30th, 2026
Rondé Barber
Joe loves when Bucs super insider and Hall of Fame cornerback Rondé Barber starts talking all things Tampa Bay.
Barber has a keycard and an office at One Buc Palace, is good friends with Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht, works for the team website and calls Bucs preseason games, and he played 18 holes of golf with Baker Mayfield last month.
Is Joe supposed to ignore what Barber says about his beloved team? Heck, no. Barber loves positioning himself as a Bucs insider — on his WFLA streaming show that is supported by major Bucs corporate sponsors (wink, wink) and their TV broadcast partner.
The Rondé Barber Show popped a new episode yesterday after a hiatus and Barber was talking about Bucs first-round draft pick pick Rueben Bain quickly becoming a transformative player for the franchise.
“You know what I’ve kind of heard from, like, behind the scenes — that both [Bain] and Keionte Scott are old school [University of] Miami type players,” Barber said. “They’re not about that BS, man. These dudes come to work, man. No fluff. No Instagram posts. No, you know, let me show you how fly I am.”
“… When he came to his press conference here in Tampa, you could feel the non-nonsenseness about him. And I think we’re going to appreciate just the way that this dude works.
“We talk about changing cultures … having one guy, especially if he ends up being one of the better players on your team, having one guy that has that attitude changes everything.”
Barber went on to talk about how Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp brought a “we’re only going to win if we do it this way’ type of attitude,” And Bain brings just that to Tampa Bay, per Barber.
“I can’t wait to see what it looks like, not only in training camp, but minicamps and rookie minicamps and OTAs, all these periods where we’re going to get to see this dude [Bain] work a little bit. I think we’re going to see some attitude adjustment out there just by the way this guy approaches the game. And I can’t say I’m looking forward to it enough.”
Being that kind of culture change force is a lot to expect from Bain, especially as a rookie. But if he’s just being himself, then it won’t be an effort.
Regardless, it’s interesting to hear Barber say the Bucs could use an attitude adjustment. All Joe ever heard from Bucs types before Bain was drafted is how strong and focused the locker room was.
April 30th, 2026 at 10:23 am
Bain is going to make vets carry his pads after practice lol
April 30th, 2026 at 10:28 am
What Ronde is saying.
The Bucs are getting players that actually want to play football
And getting away from the Choir Boys, the Weaklings
April 30th, 2026 at 10:35 am
He can be a building block for the future and might even be the biggest impact player on defense right away,but ease off the pressure. Ppl might expect him to be Garrett or Khalil Mack from day 1. If he gets 8-9 sacks some ppl may be disappointed. Let the kid ease into it.I think at the very least he’s going to be a good player.
April 30th, 2026 at 10:43 am
AWJ….. time to come to work rich kid.
April 30th, 2026 at 10:44 am
It appears we have turned over half of the defense. I love it.
April 30th, 2026 at 10:48 am
Time to clean house and trade bored McCollum. June 1st should work, but make sure Benjamin Morrison is healthy and able to start.
April 30th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Hilarious little segment about an ‘hour and nineteen-minutes in’ on Wake Up Barstool (WUB) called, “Starter, Backup, or Content Creator:” Then, it lists the player! And, that was when they get to Hassan Reddick LoL. Dude says, we need to study WHAT happened with him the years between the Eagles and the Jets, and exactly what happened there… Still one of the ‘weirdest’ dynamics in terms of personal movement… Sonething ‘fishy’ was going on behind the scenes… I feel BAD FOR JETS FANS with how HE GOTCHA on that one!!!!” Lmao. But, HOW ABOUT The Friggin’ BUCS!? Even, Worse. Much MUCH WORSE. We already KNEW, and STILL pulled the trigger on him. And, I said THEN, that it was a DESPERATE Move, that JL ‘thought’ it was on the CHEAP.
Also, NO ONE (other than myself) on here, EVER mentioned anything about all of his ‘off-the-field’ issues (thought we were only about that “culture” Lmfaooo… NO. We are all about that “CHEAP” 💯). Absolutely NOTHING about his “side business” where HE screwed over HIS OWN business partner, then sent a group of straight-up goons and THUGS over there, along with his own DAD, to THREATEN this poor guy with ‘bodily’ HARM, for only wanting HIS own $$$$. And, REFUSES to PAY HIM, & etc. It’s PATHETIC.
I don’t know WHAT the Bucs and Lickt were thinking (actually I do haha). Re-signs Godwin, then REFUSES to lockdown the Micah Parsons deal. Makes it awfully TOUGH when you’ve got over $35-MIL guaranteed to those two. Parsons 5th-year was for ONLY about $20-$23MIL (tho only counted like $1-MIL against Green Bay’s 2025 cap after some finagling)… When, the salary cap is getting ready to just absolutely EXPLODE. I warned about Reddick (I guess he’s still going to account for ‘something’ on our current salary cap too, probably in Dead Cap)… There were MANY reasons for why HE ‘looked-like’ he was CHEAP. It’s what always happens when you’re ‘thinking’ about trying to go the CHEAP route on things. You get BURNT. It’s what BAD ‘franchises’ DO. It’s what LOSERS always do. It’s being WEAK and SCARED (holding onto your own ‘draft-picks’ like that, instead of making MOVES and trying to get BETTER).
April 30th, 2026 at 10:56 am
He needs long arms like Joe Tryon .
April 30th, 2026 at 10:58 am
I think I’ve made this comment before, and it bears repeating:
The center from Indiana (don’t remember his name), when reporters asked him about the game right after, the first thing he said was, “Bain’s an animal.”
I can’t wait to hear Wirf’s assessment of Bain after some real reps.
April 30th, 2026 at 10:59 am
Somehow, “I” knew all about it… There is absolutely NO WAY POSSIBLE, that JL didn’t also KNOW IT (about his business partner, Etc.). 💯
April 30th, 2026 at 11:01 am
Zion is going from bored to gored !
April 30th, 2026 at 11:01 am
“I can’t wait to hear Wirf’s assessment of Bain after some real reps.”
I mean, WHY!? You already kniw what he’s going to say… All the right things! No matter WHAT. 💯
April 30th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Melvin,
Why? Because Wirf’s is one of the best tackles in the league. Maybe I should’ve said, “Can’t wait to see Joe’s reports watching Bain v. Wirfs.” Either way, excited to see if this kid is legit in NFL or not, and glad Hall isn’t on the team to ruin his knee. #Sarcasm.
April 30th, 2026 at 11:18 am
And here I thought we had the greatest culture of all cultures in the history of cultures…
Bring it on Bain.
April 30th, 2026 at 11:19 am
Didn’t Ronde say Bowles should keep his job? I love Ronde but hes a homer through and through. That being said I believe Bain will be fine if he stays a pass rusher. But this staff loves to draft a position then change their position. They do it with OL and they do with DBs. We’ll see what happens.
A rookie transforming the culture that’s not a QB? Alright, but if they have great leadership on the roster then why does the culture need to be transformed?
April 30th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Joe, when can we talk about the stuff that matters to the draftniks in this group? Undrafted free agents. Rookie camp starts in a week and we haven’t seen any mentioned. There are a lot of interesting signings… and bonuses handed out. A few guys got guaranteed salaries, not sure if that means that they’re on the roster, but very few people got those around the league.
There are some very likely candidates to make the team and at least practice squad…
OT Paul Rubelt UCF 6’10 1/2″ 313 ran 4.99 and jumped 32″ explosive lowerbody and 36″ arms (he and Bain will likely be able to test some theories). Dude also benched 225 26X so he is no stranger to the weight room.. I watched highlights of games with UCF and he didn’t appear on the other teams’ highlight reels… he wasn’t dominant but he was solid, can get to the second level in run blocking, allowed few sacks in his career. Anyways, he was given one of the biggest bonuses in the NFL at $30k and a guaranteed contract.
WR Eric Rivers.. 5’10 176 but can fly at 4.35 Big-time producer his junior year then transferred and was decent at Georgia Tech. He got a $25k bonus and guaranteed contract. He also returns punts.
QB Jalon Daniels 6’1 219 ran 4.65 More of ascrambler RPO type guy at this point. Had some big-time highs but also some lows. He got a $25k bonus and guaranteed contract as well. I actually like the try-out QB better in Chandler Morris who’s about 6’0 205… very Mayfield like in his performances and leadership.
Edge Jack Pyburn 6’4 260 didn’t run or bench. LSU Rumor has it that he looks like a bodybuilder. He’s not much of a pass rusher, he’s okay against the run. Had a 6th round grade on him according to Dane Brugler. He received a $15k bonus and guaranteed contract.
WR/RB Noah Short 6’0 193 4.43 Navy… he flashed quite a bit in college… maybe a slot guy but his main role at Navy was stretching the field and running end arounds. He received the smallest bonus at only $1k and nothing guaranteed but the $1k.
No other players received bonuses or guaranteed contracts but there are still some very interesting players.
LB Caden Fordham 6’1 223 4.65, his 6.89 3 cone was outstanding… but what really stood out about him was his production. WOW! In 13 games he had 143 tackles, led the nation in assists at 81, 10 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs, he’s not a thumper but he has a nose for the ball carrier and the ball. To me, based on testing alone and production, he’s a wise bet to take one of the last LB positions.
Some other notable guys… tryout guy Finn Hogan was a college WR for Connor Bezelak… our current backup, might have had the catch of the years two seasons ago. He’s trying to convert to TE. He’s 6’2 233 4.56 and can jump 39.5″ VJ. Also hit 22 reps of 225 so he’s no slouch.
Of course there are others… two big athletic Nebraska guys, one an OG Henry Lutovsky, that has everything physically you can look for in a guard.6’6 320 ran 5.16 jumped 32.5, benched 34 of 225… the guy is a physical monster. Started 27 games for the Cornhuskers. He’s my other darkhorse to make the team.
I’ve got Rubelt, Rivers, Fordham, Lutovsky as phaving a great chance… QB Daniels as a possibility due to his contract… not high on the LSU DE… Chandler Morris and Finn Hogan getting signed after their tryout.
April 30th, 2026 at 11:21 am
BTW, Finn Hogan is 6’3 3/8″, not 6’2
April 30th, 2026 at 11:21 am
in 2025 the nice guys ran the locker room…
happy we’ve added a few guys who will run towards a fight and jump in instead of recording or trying to break it up lol….
luckily Bain wont have to did it by himself…A.Robinson is all tough guy lol…and im sure Bain and Robinson will piss off Luke more than a few times which should get the OL going…
GO BUCS!!!!
April 30th, 2026 at 11:22 am
So after 4 years with Bowles as head coach, we’re relying on a rookie to come in and fix the culture?
April 30th, 2026 at 11:22 am
Mike C Says:
April 30th, 2026 at 10:43 am
AWJ….. time to come to work rich kid.
BINGO!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 30th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Of course he is…did u see that dude on draft night!? All business…and Scott is the vocal one who will call a dude out for loafing…even as a rook….gonna be fun to see the new meaner edge we have on the whole team this year! And its about time
April 30th, 2026 at 11:26 am
The Ruben Baine Talk is Getting Thick … Let’s Take it to 11
NEWLY DISCOVERED RUBEN BAINE FACTS:
BRex counted to infinity… twice.
When BRex does a pushup, he’s pushing the Earth down.
April 30th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Brandon Says:
April 30th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Joe, when can we talk about the stuff that matters to the draftniks in this group? Undrafted free agents. Rookie camp starts in a week and we haven’t seen any mentioned. There are a lot of interesting signings…
BINGO!!!!!!
Jack Pyburn shouldve never left UF…he chased the money..dont blame him but he was on his way to being drafted imo…he was productive similar to George Grumbs who was drafted by the colts in the 5th round….Kid has a motor and played solid while at UF…nothing flashy but consistent imo…
cant wait to see wait the UDFA OL we brought in can do, OT Paul Rubelt & Henry Lutovsky…
great post Brandon!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 30th, 2026 at 11:39 am
“QB Jalon Daniels 6’1 219 ran 4.65 More of ascrambler RPO type guy at this point. Had some big-time highs but also some lows. He got a $25k bonus and guaranteed contract as well. I actually like the try-out QB better in Chandler Morris who’s about 6’0 205… very Mayfield like in his performances and leadership.”
I’m forewarning everybody who frequents this site, don’t get you hopes up on Jalon Daniels, he’s not good, super inconsistent, and his mechanics go out the window the moment he feels pressure even if it were two plays or drives ago. Also likes to force balls into traffic as if throwing the ball through the window is as good as finding the open window and as a QB he stinks throwing on the run.
You’ve been warned.
April 30th, 2026 at 11:53 am
MelvinJunior Says:
—————
You just lost every ounce of credibility when you brought up Parsons… backbreaking deal down the line, cough up two first round picks AND a high quality DT in Kenny Clark and then proceed to pay him more than any non-QB in the league… guaranteed. That four-year, $188 million extension with the Packers, featuring $120-$136 million guaranteed is absurd… AND two first rounders… you are clueless. A free agent player is worth his contract, nothing more, nothing less. A good team would have let him walk for nothing before paying that salary cap destroying deal. That’s insane.
April 30th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Ok so what you are saying is his arms may be a bit short but his attitude isn’t. I hope they keep up with the T Rex stuff. You know it’s only going to get the guy going!!. One way or another his arms are going to be a big story line all year. Get on it Bain, if you needed a chip we’ll nos you have a huge one!!!.
Thank You
April 30th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
hopefully licht stops bringing up tysons short arms all i can think of is buster douglas long arms
April 30th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
I agree with Melvin …avoid the cheap. Lock up baker now, and empty the bank!
April 30th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Bye Baker bye Bowles….Bakers ” Fluke” stint with the Bucs had him over 8900 yds passing, 69 tds and a 70% completion percentage! The first 2 seasons here, before Grizzard came in and Bake got hurt….I’ll take those garish fluke stats for the next two years as well…ranking top 3 in the league in key statistics. The mere fact u wouldn’t Just proves your bias and hurt feelings that Trask is still unemployed! Laughable man
April 30th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
This goes out to “USFBUCS”
I just wanted to say thanks for looking that up for me yesterday concerning Bain’s pressure rate.. I’m still curious about those sacks though… I imagine he had quit a few. I’ll run into them eventually.
April 30th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Thank God!!!!!
Love having more character in this team. Yes! We want players who come to work. Adults with integrity and attitude. Remember Suh, JPP, Sapp, Brooks, Lynch and Barber. You can be sure that kind of culture will get you a championship. Sooner or later they will. Those guys don’t need to be motivated. They earn their money. Because THEY COME TO WORK!
LFG!!!!!
April 30th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Better take those car keys away from Bain.
Just gotta drive it better.
April 30th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
I love hearing that about B-Rex, he sounds like he’ll be a monster, short arms and all.
Also, I’ve been going back and watching more tape on B-Rex. Since I didn’t think there as any chance of him falling to the Bucs, I didn’t watch a ton on him, and focused on other guys, but the more I watch, the more I like what I’m seeing. It is worth saying at times his short arms do show-up, in particular against bigger tackles, but he’s much more advanced in terms of his pass rush moves than I thought he was. Also a super smart player, does a great job of adjusting to plays on the fly. I was thinking he might have more of a typical rookie year based on the limited amount of stuff I watched before the draft – now I’m thinking he’s going to be a lot better than that.
Nothing I’m saying is new, for sure, but sometimes I read about guys, see comments, then I don’t see it when watching the tape. In B-Rex’s case, I can absolutely see why the people who watched him for years are really hyped about the pick.
April 30th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
hate the “b-rex” name!!!!…its disrespectful!!
Bain is the Villain thats going to make QBs walk the plank!!!!
#thevillain
GO BUCS!!!!
April 30th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
April 30th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Better take those car keys away from Bain.
Just gotta drive it better.
——————-
What a dickhead you are in addiction to being a crybaby whiner.
April 30th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Parsons: Any 1 guy that demands a sh**-ton of money despite team needs is not the guy you want here or anywhere, regardless of his talent. If that money was thrown at him then hey that’s the Packers fault. There has to be some balance among the team. That’s why it kills me to say Brady took less money that could have because of his wife, PFFFFFT. Baker will probably sign a contract that allows the team to be balanced and will get rewarded for it. Now lets PLAY BALL.
April 30th, 2026 at 4:01 pm
813bucboi Says:
April 30th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
hate the “b-rex” name!!!!…its disrespectful!!
————-
B-Rex is a great name – it’s Bain from Batman AND a T-Rex. Think of a dinosaur with the Bain mask. That’s a monster. He needs to embrace the name and sell some merch.
April 30th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Living rent free in Jack’s head.
Just gotta Pom Pom waive better.
April 30th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
September can’t come fast enough!!!!! LFG!!!!!