“Favorite Pick” Of Round 1
April 26th, 2026
Bucs rookie Rueben Bain.
So a former NFL linebackers coach and personnel executive who studies everything NFL and the draft year-round, a good friend of Todd Bowles, says his favorite pick of Round 1 last week was by the Buccaneers.
The star voice of SiriusXM NFL Radio was unquivocal in his Round 1 wrap-up show that Miami Mauler edge rusher Rueben Bain going to Tampa Bay was his win of Thursday night.
“I watched the Indiana-Miami game again. And when you watch him again with the draft in mind, not cheering for a team and just watching football and just, he convinced me during the game that the [short-]armed thing doesn’t matter,” Kirwan said Bain.
Bain is known for having arms shorter than scouts and evalators believe are needed to play edge rusher at a high level in the NFL.
“He’s sick of hearing about it,” Kirwan continued, noting he’s spent time with Bain in person. “He’s gonna direct all of that frustration/energy and everything else into just, I don’t think he’s ever gonna let up on his intensity. And when we sat with him, he’s a man. He’s not a boy. He’s not a youngster. He’s not wide-eyed about this. This was a business trip [to the draft] and he accepted where he’s going, but they’re gonna get an angry version of that guy. So [Bain is] my favorite pick.”
Joe is trying to temper expectations for Bain, but damn, it is difficult. It sure feels like Bain’s angry, powerful, explosive and relentless style could be transformative for the Bucs pass rush, assuming he’s not dropping in coverage.
April 26th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
The biggest benefiters from the Rueben Bain pick? Yaya and Kancey.
April 26th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
Wouldn’t it be great to look back on this Bain/Trotter with Sapp/Brooks flash backs. A guy can dream – and be positive vs negative.
Bain is simply a stud. Last time I was this excited about a pick was some dude named Sapp.
April 26th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Lt. Dan Says:
April 26th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
The biggest benefiters from the Rueben Bain pick? Yaya and Kancey.
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Agree – Yaya is going to play catcher while the QB runs screaming from Bain.
April 26th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
I can’t wait to see his Tyrannosaurus rex short arm sack dance!
April 26th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
Lt. Dan
Benefactors of the Bain pick will be our secondary.
April 26th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
TBBF: Good call.
April 26th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
Give him a yellow jacket already!!!
April 26th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
If we can get to the QB without the need to blitz, our D scheme will look much different than the past few years. Been waiting on a talent infusion to accomplish said goal.
Yeah LT Dan – good call on Secondary being the biggest beneficiary of Bain.
I know Bowles likes to blitz but felt that he had to the past few years, which exposed our secondary. I’m sure he would much prefer to dominate with the front.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
Looks like Braswell may have a tough time making the roster.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Behind closed doors it needs to be emphatically stated to Bowles that he must properly use the tools he has been given. Surely he knows how to do that. The question remains; Will he adapt and change his ways ?
Only a blockhead uses a phillips head when a straight slot is required.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
I’m officially on the “Bain Train.”
April 26th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Bowles holds the future careers of these players in his hands. If used improperly their careers may sink. The players and their families are depending on Bowles to help as best he can in coaching and guiding these young men to success.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:15 pm
Can’t wait for the outcry from the peanut gallery the 1st time he drops to cover the flat. 🤣
April 26th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Man, all this talk about short arms makes me think of some deformed figure with arms barely reaching his belt. I mean what are we talking about? How much of a difference is there between the preferred arm length of an edge rusher and that of Bains’, 2.5 inches? I’m sure it’s a factor, but come on man, let’s get serious.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
PSL Bob Says:
April 26th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Man, all this talk about short arms makes me think of some deformed figure with arms barely reaching his belt. I mean what are we talking about? How much of a difference is there between the preferred arm length of an edge rusher and that of Bains’, 2.5 inches? I’m sure it’s a factor, but come on man, let’s get serious.
^^^^^^
Ditto.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
Short arms Edge Rushers are normally shorter Edge Rushers
But they have to use their shortness to their advantage.
They have to go low and under these trees (Tall Tackles)
They can’t let these Tackles engage them.
Instead of punching them, they have to utilize their quickness, motor
That’s exactly what Reuben Bain does best
He beat tackles with, speed, quickness, a host of moves
Mike Tyson use to beat larger heavyweights with long arms the same way.
He used to get under them, get inside of them
Then hit them with body shots, finish them with upper cuts, and short right hooks
April 26th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
he’s gonna be angry from everyone calling him short armed 14 teams passed on him great motivation
April 26th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
If Bowles ever drops Bain into coverage someone needs to toilet paper his house. I will lose my damn mind lol.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
This pick loaded our Edge and made us instantly a better Defense
April 26th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
FWIW,, the best power lifters have disproportionately short arms.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
Bowles: “everyone thinks our stud D lineman will be chasing the QB and causing havoc. lol, I’ll show them who’s playing checkers!”
April 26th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
@ 1st and Goal: I’ll be in that peanut gallery. Let edge rushers rush. I’m not down with the status quo of this defense. You know – “don’t dare pressure scrub or otherwise washed up quarterbacks. Just let’em throw for 400 of more yards” No thanks. I say let the hunters hunt.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
I’m surprised the ultra-woke NFL is even allowing this trash talk about this man’s alleged handicap.
It’s mean and hurtful and just not inclusive and accepting
enough for us fans.
Make it stop Roger, please make it stop.
😭
April 26th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
Once every now and then if Bain drops into coverage just may make him that much more effective but not most of the time. Bowles needs to forego the mad scientist stuff and K.I.S.S.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
DoooshLaRue Says:
April 26th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
^^^^
That’s funny.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
SB~LV 🏈 Says:
I can’t wait to see his Tyrannosaurus rex short arm sack dance!
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T-Rex might be a good nickname for him. 😉
April 26th, 2026 at 4:35 pm
… not exactly the same as the difference between a sloth and a T-rex.
Overplayed. Dude terrorized O-lines and QBs throughout the NCAA playoffs.
He was the main factor in Indiana almost losing.
… and we just drafted some solid blitzers in Trotter and Scott.
We are a MUCH better team now.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
I’m trying to figure out how people think that the Bucs can only rush four and that Bains AND Diaby will both be part of those four. Last I checked, neither is a defensive lineman in the Bucs’ 3-4 scheme. Or, are they going to start using a 2-5 scheme that I have never heard of?
April 26th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
ScottyMack,
They have a lot of pass rush packages
April 26th, 2026 at 4:44 pm
Its going to be fun to watch how Bain and Walker compare in camp. Could be quite telling.
April 26th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
They can shift on the field from 3-4 to 4-3 in an instant
Kancey at 3Tech, Vita at NT, Yaya at DE, Bain at DE
Anzalone at Strongside LB, Trotter/Rozeboom at MIKE
One nickel, 2 CB, 2 Safety
Or they can go with the 3-4 with Kancey, Vita, Robinson
One LB Trotter, Anzalone, Rozeboom
They can go with a dime packages
April 26th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Logan Hall use to come off the field a lot
When we went into the Nickel
I think that will continue
So they can rush both Edge Rushers, and Vita, Kancey
April 26th, 2026 at 4:59 pm
Sal Volatile Says:
April 26th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Bowles holds the future careers of these players in his hands
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He holds the first year of their careers in his hands. There won’t be a second if he messes this up. Not JT, just Todd!
April 26th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Im not gonna lie. The whole Bowles retention, JL’s impotence during slide (trade deadline), Evans’ run away, LVD’s retirement, etc, I was down on this team (and I’m an og-big sombrero-season tix lot-scalping-punk), but Bain got ol boy excited again!
Can’t wait to see opening day line up. Getting tix to bears game. I gotta freshen creamsicle collection (ME13 & LVD54), Bain’s it!
April 26th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
HAHAHA total FLOP Bowzo Draft…..F-
April 26th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
Bowzo will do a 2-5….3-4—and a 5-6. Total Bowzo Disaster….Well Deserved last place NFC South.
April 26th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
The 3-4 is our base defense
But we run a lot of nickel, and a DE mostly came off the field
We can still run a nickel with a DE, NT and 2 Edge Rushers, 2 ILB
Or we can use one ILB
We have so many options
April 26th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
As Bain drops back in to coverage the winning TD pass flies right over his shorty arms…..for another Bowzo Blunderball loss.
April 26th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Hopefully Bowles doesn’t ruin him with his dumb defensive schemes. Letting him run 40 yards with a running back.
April 26th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Joes, these pop up ads are maddening and making your website painful!!
April 26th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Hey tards
It’s modern NFl football
Every. Player. Covers
April 26th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Wonder if the short arms save Nain from picking up the tab…
April 26th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Bain
April 26th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
That last sentence nails it. Let him pin his ears back every down. This dline drop back coverage rif raf is nuts!
April 26th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
T-Rex or the claws dance move from Thriller as his sack celebration. Would be iconic if he sticks with it!
April 26th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
@74 Ya know, at 1st I was laughing when some were comparing Baine to Sapp but now that I’ve watched a bunch of film on him I think he very much resembles Sapp in his tackling, pass rush technique, and being 100% DAWG.
April 26th, 2026 at 5:52 pm
Just fire Bowles
April 26th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Can’t remember who, but they described our most common defense as a 4-2-5
April 26th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
The more I study Trotter, the more I like….he ranked #1 for LBs with 27 bench press reps….impressive!!!
April 26th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Just maybe Bowles’ son can offer his old man feedback that others can’t or won’t. Perhaps he can be the mole in the locker room.
April 26th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
I think our off-season and draft has shown one major distinction for the past few years. We’ve added aggressive players that can tackle. We won the Super Bowl because no one could run on us. A guy named Tom also helped, but the defense then versus recent is drastic. I’m glad to see we’re getting back to what’s important.
April 26th, 2026 at 6:23 pm
HC Grover – who hurt you? You ok?
The only good trolling is on a boat.
Life sucks when you are happy at other people’s demise. Says a lot about you unfortunately. Wishing you the best.
Go Bucs!
April 26th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
If Wirfs is there, Bain is getting the tab.
April 26th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
Wirf will be a good sharpening tool..he will be fine
April 26th, 2026 at 6:53 pm
I know everyone is pumped up from the draft, but it might be wise to moderate the euphoria. They are only rookies. Sapp kinda sucked his first year. We have a pretty good mix of young guys and old vets. Should be better than last year if we can get a couple more FA corners not just special teamers. I would have liked McDonald but Capehart has some skills. Interesting season coming up. GO BUCs!!!
April 26th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
In hopes of keeping my optimism I have to believe that what we have seen in the draft indicates someone sent a memo to Bowles that reads ” Use this new talent properly and don’t mess up. Your job depends on it.”
Darn it. I must have gotten a bottle with hopeium in it.
I hope all the moves made Baker happy. Now extend him soon !
April 26th, 2026 at 6:59 pm
Just a reminder that for all the “Short Arm” talk Surrounding Bain, his arms are less that 1 inch shorter than Micah Parsons….the highest paid defender in the league
April 26th, 2026 at 7:18 pm
West Philly
Great point. 3/4 of an inch shorter than Parsons…..that is minimal
April 26th, 2026 at 7:19 pm
Anyone have his pee wee stats?
April 26th, 2026 at 7:20 pm
Actually 5/8”
April 26th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
1/8” less than Sapp
April 26th, 2026 at 7:27 pm
10-7
April 26th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
When you start getting old you finally accept the bad with the good. I do remember that Sapp did not look great during his rookie year. I have already tempered my expectations for Bain.
Should be a fun season overall. We’ll see.
Go Bucs!!
April 26th, 2026 at 7:51 pm
So you think short arms are a weakness? You merely adopted long arms… I was born with them, molded by it
April 26th, 2026 at 7:54 pm
Upon further investigation, Parsons has 11” hands…almost 2” larger than Bain
April 26th, 2026 at 7:55 pm
Please just ban HC Grover. The guy brings nothing to this site. Hes a clueless troll. Most likely a Panthers fans.
You must have no life whatsoever to log onto a Bucs fan site and bitch about everything. Really ki da sad there are people in the world with such a pathetic existence.