Rueben Bain And The Hula Hoop
June 4th, 2026
Joe remembers back in 2016 when the Bucs drafted edge rusher Noah Spence and then-defensive coordinator Mike Smith likened him to Gumby, a comment that sailed over Spence’s head like a Jameis Winston opening-drive pass.
In the last century, Gumby was a TV show and/or a toy, but he always was a bendable figure that could be twisted in all kinds of directions. Smith loved the Gumby-like way Spence rushed the passer.
“If he’s got to go underground and pop back up, he’ll go underground and pop back up,” Smith said.
Sadly, Spence was a flop after a 5 1/2-sack rookie season.
Joe has thought of Spence while watching new Bucs rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain, the Miami Mauler, flash his Gumby-like ways in practice, except he’s got about 25 pounds more muscle and power in his body than Spence did.
Above is a screenshot from a tennis-ball drill the Buccaneers have their edge rushers perform. Rushers must shed a passive block and then break immediately left and tightly around the hoop — while grabbing the tennis ball and squeezing it without, hopefully, breaking stride.
Bain always stands out for his unique blend of bend, balance and power.
Joe was told by a source that Bain has been consistently giving stud Bucs left tackles fits with his raw ability and motor. Yeah, it’s underwear football, but Bain isn’t your typical flag football performer.
We’re 71 days from the first preseason kickoff.
June 4th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
That ability to bend is going to show up on loops and stunts, not just rounding the corner on OTs. Dodging pulling guards on seal outs, chips from TEs & RBs, and should come in handy fighting down blocks and maintain the perimeter.
Can’t wait to see Bain play.
June 4th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
This is guy and Noah Spence are not in the same category. Top flight competition in college has Bain miles ahead. Bain will get his sacks! how great will he be… it’s up to him!
June 4th, 2026 at 4:35 pm
To my peers, am I remembering correctly when I think Spence was severely injured at some point? It wasn’t all that long ago, but, other than that Criss Brasswell style hyperbole…Spence was about as memorable as an ultra smelly fart. I honestly do not remember much.
June 4th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Well if they were referring to a Wirfs, that sounds great!!However remember we heard that from so called sources who said, I can’t even remember the name, Rameriz?, was giving Wirfs fits in practice. Then he seemed to just disappear. I don’t think Bain will be like that. Licht and others say a lot of stuff I think to hype the fans and give the guys confidence. I will never get over Braswell and him shocking the world. I sure hope the best for Bain with all the hype the guy has to live up to.
June 4th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
I do remember the gumby reference
June 4th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
“…a comment that sailed over Spence’s head like a Jameis Winston opening-drive pass.”
I laughed, then cried.
Good stuff, Joe.
June 4th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
B-Rex is also a super smart player. Again, I didn’t watch a ton of him before the draft since I never thought he’d drop to us, but watching scouts talk about him, and watching highlights, man, he is quick with decision making – and mixed with his physical skills, it’s going to be a huge shock if he’s not, at least, a very very good player – and is at that level very quickly.
I really liked Kancey, and still do, and I was high on him – but Bain is even a step up from him in terms of confidence that he’ll be good (and Kancey, if he can stay healthy, is at worst a pro-bowl player with all-pro upside still).
June 4th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
We’re talking about practice??? Practice?? Not a game, practice???
Playing with tennis balls and Hula Hoops sounds about right for the Swiss cheeses defense.
No wonder we can’t even survive in the worst division in football.
Same scheme, same techniques, same HC\DC.
What could possibly go wrong…….
June 4th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
Spence had a huge shoulder subluxation problem ……… sometimes that never gets fixed good enough to go 100 percent again !! A DE playing around that at 90 percent at 245 isn’t going to be near his best .
June 4th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Lynchmob seriously? Go outside..get a job..get a life. You’re pathetic existence in here is really depressing to know people like you exist.
Sad really
June 4th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
June 4th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
We’re talking about practice??? Practice?? Not a game, practice???
———–
Care to tell us what game is taking place that we could talk about instead?
If it bugs you that much – then come back September 13th, because there aren’t any games that count until then.
June 4th, 2026 at 5:51 pm
I hope I’m wrong, but I feel like Bain is way overhyped.
My intuition says that he prob won’t ever get double digit sacks in the NFL.
Prob half that.
But again, I hope I’m wrong about that and I hope he turns out to be great.
June 4th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Giving the LT fits like former All-Pro Jose Ramirez?
Oh, how about Cam Gill getting double digit sacks in the UFL? Don’t say Bowles never developed a pass rusher!