Rueben Bain And His Transition To The NFL
August 29th, 2026
Breakdown.
All it took for Bucs veteran Pro Bowler Vita Vea was one look in his eyes.
The former Super Bowl winner has seen a lot in his NFL career, including an old man lead the pewter pirates to a Super Bowl championship.
But when Vita finally got on the field after a contract hassle sore back, Vea looked in rookie outside linebacker Rueben Bain’s eyes. Then, Vea knew, as he told Jenna Laine of ESPN.
“Just seeing the hunger and determination in his eyes, it’s good to have on your side,” Vea said.
The four-letter had a breakdown of every drafted player as teams entered the final worthless preseason game. Laine offered her take on Bain.
… Bain has the stuff to make an impact right away, even with his recent AC sprain. But it’s also his attitude and what he does when no one’s watching that have quickly earned the respect of his teammates.
Joe thinks Bain has an incredible ceiling. He sort of reminds Joe of a young Warren Sapp with his physical play.
Joe typed yesterday that rookies generally to not light up the world. The only things that can hold Bain back, Joe believes are injuries and his defensive coordinator.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:16 am
Players play. Coaches coach. We will see as the year goes on if Joe gives the DC any credit for using this uber talented player correctly versus what he’s had to work with since the days of JPP and Shaq.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Vita saw something in Bain’s eyes.
Probably the reflection of a right offensive tackle realizing he chose the wrong profession.
August 29th, 2026 at 7:52 am
@TBBucFan,
Agreed. I don’t remember any of these pass rushers Todd “failed to develop” going on to be developed by more talented DCs.
When it comes to a pass rush, there are reasonable odds he has been trying to make chicken salad out of the chicken s*** JL had been drafting.
What I believe in my heart is we will know this year, because I believe in Bain (and Walker too)
August 29th, 2026 at 8:34 am
“When it comes to a pass rush, there are reasonable odds he has been trying to make chicken salad out of the chicken s*** JL had been drafting.”
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I agreed with everything you were saying, until I got to the blame thrown at JL.
Jason has made some huge mistakes along the way, but every GM does. But if he is so incompetent, what do you think of this year’s draft class? Bain, Trotter, Hurst and lets include Walker since he is basically a rookie.
But forget all of them. The thing I point out all the time is, do you really think JL spends high draft picks on defensive players without consulting Todd??? Yea, occasionally there are GMs that operate like dictators, I think the Jets have had one of two of those. But no successful GM does not consult his HC on draft picks. It is a TEAM effort ALWAYS.
If the HC fails, the GM gets questioned. They must work together. As our Lousy Love would say, simple like dat.
August 29th, 2026 at 9:00 am
If Bain can significantly improve the Bucs rushing game why would Todd Bowles hold him back? Jason Licht has authority over Todd Bowles . His authority is only behind the Glazers. The deeper the Bucs play in the playoffs the more money they earn. SO why would Todd Bowles intentionally hold him back? I don’t understand your comment.
August 29th, 2026 at 9:09 am
Drunk Bucs Fan Says:
August 29th, 2026 at 7:52 am
@TBBucFan,
Agreed. I don’t remember any of these pass rushers Todd “failed to develop” going on to be developed by more talented DCs.
……………………………………….
I’m eager to see what Hall does this year, he might be the first one
August 29th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Bain is the future for the Bucs. Not Baker, Not Bowles, and unless Licht does not get realistic about the depth of this team, him too.
August 29th, 2026 at 10:41 am
I think Lichts biggest mistake is not locking down Liam Coen as our HC. Otherwise he has done well.
August 29th, 2026 at 11:01 am
All I know is we better keep Pyburn. I want a package with Bain-Vea-Kancey-Pyburn.
August 29th, 2026 at 11:03 am
magoobee Says:
“Bain is the future for the Bucs. Not Baker, Not Bowles, and unless Licht does not get realistic about the depth of this team, him too.”
Considering QBs can play until close to 40 (or maybe beyond that by the time he reaches that age), I think Baker Mayfield is as big a part of the future as Bain.
I 100% agree with you on Bowlels but then I didn’t think he’d still be HC this year.
I believe there are secret plans to make a run at Mike Tomlin next year. I think he wanted a year off, and rather than commit to a new coach for a few years, the Bucs decided keeping Bowlles on more year was the smart move.
IF I am right then the Glazers could have been given orders to make the roster more attractive to Tomlin next year. That meant a much improved Defense.
I don’t blame Jason Licht for not building a good defense sooner…the goal was to build around Mayfield as a strategy, and it worked, getting us division titles.
The time finally came to start addressing the defense last year (though, not with the first pick)…and this year Licht really addressed it.
We have depth…at certain positions. You cannot addressall positions in a single off season.
August 29th, 2026 at 11:04 am
I forget who it was doing all of those hard hits last night but I hope he makes the team.
August 29th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Doesn’t matter you give bowles Lawrence taylor and Reggie white in their prime and he would have then bacpeddling playing pass coverage downfield.
Fire bowles hire Tomlin and next year we will see how good he can be
August 29th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
You’re kidding me about Tomlin, right? Look at his record the last decade. He is Bowles with a ring early in his career he has been coasting on. Never had a losing record, woo hoo. Slightly above mediocre. And it would cost a draft pick to get him.
August 29th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
That was Killebrew. He’s a special teams stud and will make the team for sure. Could be a good hard hitting backup safety too.
August 29th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
And Tomlin is the most boring coach in the world. I’d way rather have Bowles. As a matter of fact, the only coach I’d rather have than Bowles is McVay. We would never get him, so there’s no point in ditching Bowles. Besides, the players love him. It’s been issues with personnel and injuries that hold this team back. Now the defense should be much better but we still need a backup guard, backup tackle, and backup corner. Though I do have some faith in Garnes- he’s great at jumping pass patterns.