Graham Barton: Rueben Bain And Josiah Trotter “Definitely Make Us Better”
August 13th, 2026
Defensive newcomers have brought a high standard to Bucs.
Joe admits to being slightly skeptical of Rueben Bain.
Oh no, Joe thought Bain was a total beast. Joe’s a college football guy and saw how Bain took over in the college football playoffs against some of the best teams in the country.
In a lot of ways, Bain reminded Joe of a young Warren Sapp at Miami.
Joe just didn’t know how he would fit in on a Bucs defense that did not prioritize an edge rush. It sure seems like Bain is too good to be dragged down.
And man, this Josiah Trotter. Joe can see with his own eyes how he has already changed the defense. The Bucs were a soft, quitting defense last year.
Just like KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles predicted, Trotter would blossom once the pads came on. And boy, he has really injected an attitude in the defense that was simply missing last year, and maybe longer than that.
After practice yesterday in New Jersey, Bucs center Graham Barton said there is no question Bain and Trotter have made the Bucs’ offensive line better.
“Super impressed,” Barton said of the two defensive rookies who ought to start Week 1 if healthy (for some reason, the SirVocea Dennis disciples have come out of the woodwork the past couple of days to attack Joe for having the nerve to suggest the Bucs defense is better with Trotter on the field and Dennis on the bench. These people cannot be serious).
“Obviously, you guys all have seen Rueben [Bain] and what he can do and his, just, mentality and stuff.
“[Josiah] Trotter is another one of those guys who’s super physical. [It] definitely makes us better as an O-Line going against guys like that.
“It’s been super impressive to see all of them really. Just the edge – them and the free agents that have come in.”
Joe is fortunate enough to have been at every practice. Joe knows not many fans have been able to. The few who have seen padded practices, surely you’ve seen the difference in the defensive attitude with Bain and Trotter on the field together.
The front-seven of this defense might be a year from really doing damage, but dang, Joe is stoked to see what these guys can do. Just the fact that this defense isn’t going to take any lip and be aggressive and not just roll over like the defense did last year, that ought to account for at least an extra win.
August 13th, 2026 at 7:20 am
It works when you have the right players..
August 13th, 2026 at 7:21 am
The Dennis disciples are probably as statistically insignificant as the name calling buffoons on these here pages. Joe, don’t let distractions become distractions. Those comments are flat out wrong.
Barton’s assessment sounds promising and for the hundredth time, watch Bowles use pass rushing specialists when he actually has pass rushing specialists. Bain and Walker are going to cause havoc. If the cornerbacks hold up, I can see the secondary creating chaos as well in Todd’s scheme. Just like days of yesteryear.
August 13th, 2026 at 7:22 am
Looking good just need a CB.
Would be a shame for as long as Joe has been beating the drum for a pass rush, for it all to come crumbling down because we are relegated to FedEx Drivers playing CB.
ANNNNNND we have trade bait.
Feels like needing a LB last year and Licht sitting on his hands.
August 13th, 2026 at 7:23 am
and the LB’s are better
Now the only question is the DB’z
August 13th, 2026 at 7:31 am
This is a silly article. Bowles had Shaq Barrett- now he has Rueben Bain. Think of it like that and realize what you are saying is silly and a factor of lack of talent at the OLB position for the last several years. We sure tried to draft one so the effort was there, but you can’t count on high RAS score athletes with little proven production. And that’s all we had the option to draft picking as late as we typically do.
We were victims of our own success.
But saying Bowles doesn’t know how to handle an edge rusher with pass rushing skill is massively disingenuous. Clickbait and rage baiting. Don’t stoop to this anymore. You’re smarter than that.
August 13th, 2026 at 7:38 am
Please point to the comments that said Dennis is better than Trotter.
There are a bunch of us who think hissy fits about the first training camp depth chart reflect a serious lack of understanding
August 13th, 2026 at 7:51 am
Dennis the Whenness never happened. And it’s too bad because he does display some athletic stills when not looking lost out there.
I can’t recall anyone thinking Dennis shouldn’t be put aside early on to give Trotter his shot.
Dennis might get the starting nod early on for no reason other than he’s a veteran who sometimes knows Bowles’ crazy cover schemes.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:09 am
Ok well what team that is in VV’s stated geography has a quality CB they would be willing to part with and needs a NT more than CB and is willing to pay VV?
Genuine question. The teams I think would be best fits [for them, based exclusively on need] for VV are in NY (Bills & Giants). Note that none of the other factors outlined above are applied.
Rams aren’t parting with their CB’s. Raiders are rebuilding so swapping youth for older player doesn’t seem likely. 49ers? Chargers?
IMHO eff losing VV for a draft pick swap of 3rd compensatory for someone’s 2. Would much prefer to have VV this season and see how ferocious our D Line & LB’s can be.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Joe, hard to believe people wanting or defending Dennis as the starter. I mean did they watch the Bucs last year?. Yes I thought you were initially joking. I mean Dennis may have been the worst starting LB in the NFL last year. I believe you said he was listed as the current starter. However, hopefully that was just to begin practice. I mean their is no way Dennis starts this season. Hopefully he only sees the field on special teams , he is that much of a libility. Man I am scratching my head.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:37 am
you’ve been at every practice joe, has Dennis shown some improvement or is he still lost?….or are you not paying attention to him at all lol
if Dennis is still holding on to the starting job right now, it only bolds well for the depth in the LB room….otherwise that unit is 1 injury away from being a disaster…
GO BUCS!!!!
August 13th, 2026 at 8:45 am
813
Unfortunately it seems like every position group is one injury away from disaster. Last year’s depth issues haven’t been resolved in my eyes. Fingers crossed.
On a completely unrelated note: Joe, will Bowles ever live down telling the media he eats kit-kats? 🤣
August 13th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Play the victim and you will be the victim, Joe. Even if in your own mind.
No one with sanity thinks Dennis should even be on the team at all.
Except maybe for Todd Bowles. He’s a guru.
August 13th, 2026 at 8:52 am
I am pleased to see the shift in ideology within this defense.
It was too soft and still needs tweaking.
LVD was too elderly so Anzalone is a slight upgrade but not by much.
Hall was too soft.
Kancey has been a china doll.
ZM has been a disappointment after signing a large contract.
AWJ has not played well enough to justify his bloated contract.
Our best CB is a 3rd round pick.
SVD is still listed as a starting ILB.
Our OLB depth has improved but it’s still a pretty mediocre punch until R. Bain is able to prove himself in a real live action NFL football game.
The rest of the defense is just swell!
August 13th, 2026 at 8:53 am
Todd has a habit of hanging onto ‘his’ guys. That might have been one of the reasons for lackluster performance last year.
He’s got to play the best guys.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:30 am
Who are these people defending the menace? That guy is HoRrIbLe
August 13th, 2026 at 9:33 am
You haven’t seen Joe’s Twitter. smh
One guy has been going after Joe for three days about the greatness that is SirVocea Dennis.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:44 am
Since Joe has not put out play by play of yesterday scrimmage I searched and found a Jets site that discussed the two teams and the scrimmage yesterday.
Let me tell you, they hold the Bucs in much higher regard than so called fans on this site and that includes Baker and Bowles. I think Bowles with players can be a good coach, the problem he has been plugging too many holes with players who can’t play. Also, they marveled how Baker ran the 2 minute drills and think the Bucs offense is going to be real good.
So in the future true Bucs fans can go to the opponents media and get away from all these Debbie Downers that brag about being Bucs fans but do nothing but tear players and the team down.
August 13th, 2026 at 9:54 am
@ BakerFan
“I searched and found a Jets site that discussed the two teams and the scrimmage yesterday.
Let me tell you, they hold the Bucs in much higher regard than so called fans on this site and that includes Baker and Bowles.”
Do you realize that the NY JETS fired Bowles after his putrid 24-40 FOUR YEAR dumpster fire?
Oh boy – I bet they are just biting at the bit to get old Toad boy back in NY.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
August 13th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Bee Says:
August 13th, 2026 at 8:45 am
“On a completely unrelated note: Joe, will Bowles ever live down telling the media he eats kit-kats? 🤣”
One thing that keeps being omitted is that during that “Kit-Kat” interview referenced above, Bowles said it’s gotta be one of two candy bars: a Kit-Kat OR a Nestle Crunch.
One would think Joe could have so much MORE fun by also adding a Crunch moniker….but that’s just me.
August 13th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Joe, hard to believe people wanting or defending Dennis as the starter.
You haven’t seen Joe’s Twitter. smh
One guy has been going after Joe for three days about the greatness that is SirVocea Dennis.
It’s his Mom, Joe
August 13th, 2026 at 11:40 am
Let me guess Marine Buc you are a great fan since the beginning… a Super Fan.
BS… you are a hack just like around 50% of people on this site. All Hacks that sit around picking boogers and their butts spouting crap out.
August 13th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
The front-seven of this defense might be a year from really doing damage, but dang, Joe is stoked to see what these guys can do.
*****************
A number of the guys who are expected to contribute in the front 7 are on expiring contracts between Diaby, Muhammed, Robinson and Vea, among others. Whatever damage this team is going to do as a unit had better start this year – or else the top rookies might be the only ones guaranteed a chance to do damage next season.
August 13th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
They’re going to do plenty of damage this season, don’t worry.