A Call For Rueben Bain To Focus On The “Absurd”
June 9th, 2026
The Bucs are talking internally about moving first-round draft pick Rueben Bain all across the line of scrimmage.
Heck, he might even drop into coverage as a Todd Bowles edge rusher. (Gasp!) Bain is a unique blend of power, flexiblity, speed and relentlessness.
So what’s next for Bain in the NFL?
Joe heard Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau, Buffalo’s first-round draft pick in 2021, talk about Bain on the CanesInSight podcast. It’s dedicated to the Miami Hurricanes, whose football team is where Rousseau and Bain became stars.
Rousseau was glowing about Bain and raved about how he looked like an NFL player and praised his hand usage. He also praised Bain’s trademark Gumby-like bend off the edge and called it “absurd.”
“The way Bain bends the corner, like that’s his bread and butter. He also can go speed-to-power,” Rousseau said.
Rousseau sounded like he doesn’t want Bain to take on too much as a rookie. The veteran said confidence is absolutely critical for a rookie at their position.
“If you get to the league and you try to start being a different player because of what people are saying, it’s like, ‘No, you gotta stick to what you’re good at,'” Rousseau said.
Amen to that. Joe appreciates the diversity in Bain’s game. But it shouldn’t hurt the Bucs — and it might help — to let Bain settle in as a true edge rusher.
You know, do things he was great at in college and build on that foundation.
June 9th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Don’t get cute Todd keep it simple let him attack the QB and set the edge for the run.
June 9th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
Actually, Bain may be better in coverage than anyone else we have….
Trying to use a bit of reverse psychology on Todd…..
June 9th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
Who really thinks Bain will be used to his strengths? Bowels will use his genius to transform Bain into a mediocre coverage guy like he has done with all the ones before
June 9th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
Bowles doesn’t have enough between the ears to do what’s right.
Bain will have a new HC and DC in 2027. He’s not a cover DE.
It’s already being telegraphed that Todd refuses to face reality.
The fraud guru is going down in flames. Fresh hot melted Swiss cheese.
4-13
June 9th, 2026 at 4:35 pm
I think all it really means is they will look to get him mismatches, but I agree that should be later, once he’s established himself on the edge.
June 9th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
Let’s take a deep breath here Joebucs Krew!
“Keep Bain at edge and don’t ask too much of him” is exactly what opposing offensive coordinators want to hear.
Imagine drafting an elite athlete with rare bend, t-Rex power, versatility, then intentionally making him easier to block because you’re afraid he might have to think. GTFO
The NFL isn’t college. Great coaches don’t reduce talent; they maximize it!!
If T-Rex Bain can rush from the edge, kick inside, stunt, loop, and occasionally drop, offenses have to prepare for all of it. If he only lines up at edge, you’ve already done half their scouting work for them.
Todd Bowles didn’t draft a Swiss Army knife to use it as a butter knife.
LFG!!
Ring Me
June 9th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
I hope I’m wrong, but he could be held back by poor coaching. Resent history clearly shows this defense can’t get a stop when needed. Could be a long year 🙄
June 9th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
If Bowles fails again this season, yes he failed last season, he’s gone. Simple as that.
June 9th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
Can he at least cover Cincys TEs instead of Chase or Higgins week 1.
June 9th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
Knowing Bowles, he’s gonna put too much on Bain and screw up his head. Keep it simple Todd!
June 9th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Yes. Yes! Todd, drop him into coverage to ensure a new coaching staff next year. Maybe he can return punts and kick field goals for us too. Only Todd can misuse players at this level.
June 9th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Kgh4life … Not sure you can mess with Bain’s head.
Borimex? We used to be a little market in Riverview called Borimex but changed the name to Fresh Market. Brings back memories, really good deli food!
June 9th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
@KABucs
😂
Borimex had great deli food. Bain might be serving something different this fall “quarterback sandwiches!
LFG
June 9th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
Really excited about the D. I think we need 1 more draft BUT we have the talent now @ all 3 levels to be top 10 if we can stay relatively healthy.
Our 4 man rush will have some potency but Bains going to drop in coverage a few times. Get over it. It’s part of modern NFL defense across the league. Hopefully when he does Scott or Parrish or Trotter, Anzolone, etc get a free run and smoke the QB.
June 9th, 2026 at 7:24 pm
Let’s welcome Bain to the Bay area by telling him his coach and qb suck! 328 wynchmob ,all the trolls etc ..your an embarrassment to the community the players and true fans alike worthless! Im sure you made all your moms proud!
June 9th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
GREAT! Another one of Bowles “Jack of all trades, Master of None” experiments!
June 9th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
If Todd can remember what got him his only true success…he will employ a heavy front (5 man) and let Bain and YaYa get after the qb relentlessly
It looks like he is coming around by the personnel moves, but is that just the FO knowing what we need and praying Todd actually does it…
June 9th, 2026 at 7:48 pm
“Don’t get cute Todd keep it simple let him attack the QB and set the edge for the run.“
What if it’s an RPO?
June 9th, 2026 at 7:52 pm
“The NFL isn’t college. Great coaches don’t reduce talent; they maximize it!!
If T-Rex Bain can rush from the edge, kick inside, stunt, loop, and occasionally drop, offenses have to prepare for all of it. If he only lines up at edge, you’ve already done half their scouting work for them.”
Have mercy, a coherent, somewhat informed, and football logic based reply.
Welcome/Bienvidos Borimex
Estos chicos son divertidísimos 😂