“He Really Plays With Intent To Do Serious Harm”
August 9th, 2026
The rookie gushing is flowing at One Buc Palace.
Joe hasn’t heard this kind of early rookie love in a long time, perhaps not since 2015, when Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Kwon Alexander were preparing to take the field. Maybe.
There is no hesitation at One Buc Palace, seemingly from anyone. Everyone opens up quickly regarding first-round pick edge rusher Rueben Bain and second-round pick linebacker Josiah Trotter. Bain has been called a transformative force; Trotter has been gaining on him for a week.,
Todd Bowels continued the chorus this afternoon. Fans will be soothed.
“He’s almost like a new school linebacker in an old school body,” Bowles said of Trotter. “He really knows how to play the game. And he really plays with intent to do serious harm.”
Joe is fired up to see these guys unleashed on the sad Jets in the Bucs’ next practice — Tuesday in New Jersey.
August 9th, 2026 at 11:46 am
I would’ve considered him I was just worried about his injuries. Yeah hopefully he works out & hopefully dad works with him on stuff he might struggle with. I would’ve felt more comfortable drafting him over Morrison.
August 9th, 2026 at 11:53 am
Sounds like what we heard when Devin White was drafted with the 5th overall pick.
Can’t wait to see him play in a single preseason game before I make anymore statements…
August 9th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh — more ROOKIE HYPE!!! How wonderful!
August 9th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Bet Bain & Trotter won’t be a part of defensive unit anyone could label as ‘soft’.
August 9th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Leadership comes to those who can walk the walk AND who then talk. The silent example can be a great player, even a great example, but that doesn’t make him a leader. See, Leroy Selmon.
A loudmouth who can’t cash the check is just an annoying little pipsqueak — a keeking dog, as Scott Brantley would say. A stud who talks straight gets the whole team walking — running — straight. See, Nickerson, Sapp, Brady.
August 9th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
“Joe hasn’t heard this kind of early rookie love in a long time, perhaps not since 2015, when Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Kwon Alexander were preparing to take the field. Maybe”
No. We just heard Licht gushing about Braswell. And Red dick and Zyon last year.
All lies.
Look, everyone loves Trotter and Bain and Scott. They all have the potential to be like Sapp, Brooks, Lynch and Barber — leaders who change the trajectory of the Defense.
But none lit it up as a rookie.
August 9th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Bain > Reddick. Trotter > CantMakeAPlay Davis.
August 9th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Scott also reminds me of a young Jordan Whitehead.
When he was a heat seeking missile.
Before his shoulder injuries caught up with him.
Never forget the role Jordan Whitehead played during our Super Bowl season.
And the forced fumble he created against the Packers.
Jordan Whitehead played CB in college. He was also capable of playing nickle.
Scott is our new Whitehead but faster.
I know Whiteheads last year was pretty bad. But he should always be remembered as a Bucs legend and hard hitter!!
Can you guys remember ANY hard hits last year???
August 9th, 2026 at 1:20 pm
As much as Bain gets all the love and we really need a pass rush more than anything what it does for a secondary is crazy but it’s that’s ILB that really transforms a defense. Brian urlacher , ray Lewis , Vilma and some others that i know I’m forgetting but those guys brought the boom and helped change defenses. Really want this for trotter. DB55 wasn’t a ILB but him and sapp changed the defense. It’s bain and trotters turn. With a DLINE which does need vea and our safeties , Alex and trotter in the middle defense might actually be top 11 or 10. Beginning of the season I think the defense will look good it’s once OC figure things out and Bowles not making the necessary adjustments is what concerns me
August 9th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
“And he really plays with intent to do serious harm.” Scouts said Trotter was a downhill thumper at Missouri but a liability in pass coverage. Downhill thumpers are dinosaurs, fun to watch because they can really hit, or, they can just whiff on a tackle. I hope Trotter can cover and be a sure tackler, but trying for ‘serious harm’ can lead to whiffs. Let’s see how this guy can play before we anoint him the next Ray Lewis.
August 9th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Trotter…awesome pick by JL et al. During the draft I was mildly disappointed because of some of the players that were still on the board but…I was wrong evidently. Imagine this – Trotter is only 21 and still not a year removed from the campus lifestyle of pizza and such for breakfast. Wait til this kid has a full off season in an NFL weight room and a full time nutritionist. “Can’t wait!” Bart Scott.
August 9th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
I miss Ali Marpet. Wonder what he is up to these days.
August 9th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
I will be happy to get thru preseason without any major injuries.
August 9th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
Trotter is going to be like Winfield, when we drafted him almost everyone was upset and thought it was a bad pick, but turned into a steal. Go Bucs I can’t wait till the games start.