Todd Bowles Details Rueben Bain Usage
May 2nd, 2026
Bucs DL Rueben Bain.
Landing Rueben Bain last week in the draft was an interesting pick on several levels.
Yes, Joe watched Bain play last year. He was ruthless. His play in the playoffs damn near got Miami a national title. He was that good.
But Bain played defensive end in a 43 defense. Joe never did notice Bain playing defense the way you would expect Bucs coach Todd Bowles will sometimes play him.
Remember, Bowles runs a 34 defense. So an edge rusher is the outside linebacker. Joe never envisioned Bain playing outside linebacker.
Joe’s not saying Bain cannot defend the pass, but can you see Bain covering tight ends and perhaps running backs? (Please don’t get started on OLBs covering receivers on this Saturday morning.)
Just knowing Bowles’ defense, Bain often seems more of an inside guy on the line than an outside linebacker.
Apparently, Joe’s not hallucinating. Bowles himself told SiriusXM NFL Radio this week Bain will see action inside.
“He has violent hands and he can play all across the front for us, which he will,” Bowles said with authority. “He has very violent hands and he understands how to rush the passer. There’s one thing having long arms and short arms and everything else, but if you don’t understand how to rush the passer, you know, both of ’em are aren’t any good anyway.”
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN broke down how teams plan to use their top draft picks and said the same thing. His breakdown noted how the Bucs looked at former Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard, who was traded to the Eagles for two third-round picks, but didn’t pull the trigger. That frosts Joe.
As bad as the Bucs edge rush was — and was before Bain was drafted — the Bucs “looked” at a guy like you’re shopping for a pickup at Bill Currie Ford?
It reminds Joe of an old Bear Bryant story. Bryant put a player in the game in a tight spot and Bryant told the player what he wanted him to do.
The player told Bryant, “I’ll try, sir.”
Bryant erupted. He grabbed the kid before he could run on the field and hollered, “TRY? I don’t want you to try, son! I want you to DO!”
Bryant pulled the kid off the field, lost immediate faith in him and his playing days at Alabama never panned out.
Teams without an edge rush have no room to be picky, unless they are playing for next year’s draft.
May 2nd, 2026 at 7:43 am
I have a feeling Bain will be a good player but I have no faith Bowles will put him in the best position to be most effective. Remember when Bowles put AW at nickel? Just to move him back to his natural position where he became all-pro.
Once again, at every level, Bowles decision making is nonsensical and his adjustments are slow to come if they come at all.
May 2nd, 2026 at 8:08 am
The Bucs have lacked an edge rushers for the last 4 years. With Bain you won’t see all of Bowles insane blitzes. Bowles had to create pressure because a lack of edge rushers. If Bain IS THAT MAN expect a much improved defense
May 2nd, 2026 at 8:09 am
It’s not Rocket Science Bowles. Just let Bains take off n play the way he did in college then Bucs 2025 edge problem is solved. If Bowles screw this up then he’s done during or after the season.
May 2nd, 2026 at 8:14 am
Poor B-Rex has no chance playing for the Bowleso.
May 2nd, 2026 at 8:21 am
Joe says don’t get started….but cues it up…..here come all the coverage comments. Not saying they aren’t warranted…..but still boring & repetitive
May 2nd, 2026 at 8:24 am
Bee … The first year (2019) Bowles came here, an OLB somewhat smaller than Reuben Bain named Shaq Barrett joined the Bucs. In his first 4 years with Denver, Shaq had a total of 14 sacks & 35 QB hits.
Under Todd’s use, Shaq got 19.5 sacks plus 37 QB hits in his first year as a Buc … more than he’d gotten in his first 4 years in Denver combined. No question in my mind that what made a huge difference that year is that our interior DLine consisted of Vea, Suh, Gholston, RNR & Beau Allen. Plus having JPP at the other OLB was a nice bonus. Point being: Bowles’ defenses seem to work best when (1) they’re ‘beefy’ and (2) have some high quality veterans in there.
Well, I think the Bucs have done a commendable job of trying to replicate that this off-season. Vea of course is the only one still here, but I’m convinced that the addition of Robinson will add a ‘Suh-like presence’ to our DLine. I don’t think RNR will give us a huge number of def snaps, but when he’s in there, he makes his presence known. Both Robinson & RNR will have a significant impact IMO on the development of both Capehart & Roberts this season.
Still not sure how Bowles will use Kancey, but I sure do hope he spends minimal snaps lining up next to Vea. Move him a bit further down the line & I’m convinced he’ll not only survive longer, but also be much more effective. Missing 22 games in his first 3 years doesn’t impress me.