“You Better Know Where He Is”
August 27th, 2026
Bucs ILB Josiah Trotter.
Joe has heard of Bucs rookie outside linebacker Rueben Bain referred to as an assassin. Joe likes to call him the “Miami Mauler.”
Another rookie, Tedd Hurst, is tearing things up — in practice. Joe hopes soon we see that translate to a football field in a real game.
And Keionte Scott makes a play here or there too.
Maybe it’s just Joe, but the rookie almost forgotten about is Josiah Trotter. Joe is very confident soon, Trotter will be the heart-and-soul of the Bucs defense at inside linebacker.
The Bucs wanted new blood paying with passion, heart and yes, even playing with violence. That is basically Trotter in a nutshell.
Watching Bucs practice recently, Pat Kirwan, co-host of SiriusXM NFL Radio’s “Movin’ the Chains,” stopped by One Buc Palace as part of the channel’s training camp tour. During an interview with KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles, Kirwan told Bowles that the rookie who jumps off the field at him is Trotter.
Pat Kirwan: We have interviewed [Trotter] enough to know football is so important to the guy. He is so mentally ready to do it. He’s like Rueben [Bain] to me.
Todd Bowles: Football is everything to him. He makes an impact and he goes full speed to the ball. He brings a thump. He’s quiet off the field but on the field, you better know where he is. And he understands that. He plays like that. And we couldn’t happier to have him.
Man, this Trotter brings a spark to the defense. He’s not bashful about standing at the line of scrimmage and barking at offensive players. Yeah, even Baker Mayfield.
And, as Bowles likes to say, Trotter plays with his hair on fire.
Joe believes Trotter will soon be a fan favorite. He plays the game you want guys to play, and he brings fire and passion. That style is contagious.
August 27th, 2026 at 4:29 am
I hope he pans out.
That D after last year was a full rebuild job. The free agents are past 30, so short-term patches. If this #45 turns out to be what the last one wasn’t, our next great LB, I like the idea of building around him and Bain and Winfield. (IMHO, nothing wrong with Winfield that bringing him back in from centerfield won’t cure.)
August 27th, 2026 at 5:07 am
I like the name Ben so much I named one of my sons Benjamin. Maybe Ted Hurst’s dad or mom felt the same way about the name Ted.
August 27th, 2026 at 5:23 am
This past draft sure looks like it’s going to produce some real impact players for this team for this year and many more to come. LFG Bucs!
August 27th, 2026 at 5:29 am
If Trot can come anywhere close to bringing the kind of presence that Hardware did back in the day….GAME ON. GO BUCS!!
August 27th, 2026 at 5:59 am
Bowles says Trotter “brings a thump.” Finally—a Buccaneers defender whose scouting report sounds like something you hear from the trunk of a Cadillac.
August 27th, 2026 at 6:54 am
Yes!
Maimi Mauler !
Still worried about Trot in pass coverage, not because of physical ability but being able to recognize and not get tricked by clever OC’s
August 27th, 2026 at 7:05 am
Joe, share the clip of that Trotter interception from yesterday, it was beautiful.
Sticking with his man in space, and catching the ball in stride
August 27th, 2026 at 7:19 am
Who is Ben!? That was confusing. I’m assuming it was meant to be “Ted the III.”
August 27th, 2026 at 7:37 am
Kenton … Nicely played.
August 27th, 2026 at 8:31 am
True or not the knock on Bain and Trotter was pass coverage hope they are quick learners
August 27th, 2026 at 8:32 am
Or Ben Hur?
August 27th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Actually, it is Scott that I haven’t heard much about.
August 27th, 2026 at 9:08 am
Lots of hype for Trot by Bowles and Joe. It sounds like Trot is a great cheerleader on the field. Unfortunately, he’s had only a total of two tackles in two games, two against the lowly Jets and none vs KC. I want to see production before I buy the hype.
August 27th, 2026 at 9:44 am
I thought he was hurt already
August 27th, 2026 at 10:40 am
I don’t know if it says more about this year’s draft class or last year’s team that at least FOUR rookies look like they have a chance at making a significant impact on the team this year.
Most teams, most years, it’s two or sometimes three.
August 27th, 2026 at 10:59 am
“I don’t know if it says more about this year’s draft class or last year’s team that at least FOUR rookies look like they have a chance at making a significant impact on the team this year.”
2025:
Jacob Parrish
Tez Johnson
Emeka Egbuka
Elijah Roberts
2024:
Barton
JMac
Bucky
Tykee Smith
2023:
Kancey
Mauch
Diaby
Palmer
2022:
Hall
Goedeke
White
Otton
Camarda
It’s been a thing for us for quite some time
August 27th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Can we call him T-Rex?
August 27th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
I love the name Hurricane Bain! It fits!
August 27th, 2026 at 6:30 pm
WBL it was beautiful. He deff showed he can cover which many on this here site were crying that we drafted another LB who can’t cover. 🤦♂️
August 27th, 2026 at 7:00 pm
“WBL it was beautiful. He deff showed he can cover which many on this here site were crying that we drafted another LB who can’t cover. 🤦♂️“
Totally ignoring the fact we signed a coverage specialist in Anzalone and mostly drafted Trotter to do what he’s got plenty of film thriving it. So because those of us who are paying attention hearing some of that translating in practices with him making plays in some scenarios it’s shrugged off as hype. Which kind of ignores the reality that these guys practice more than they play the games we all watch.
Anyways, about the video, you can totally see the moment Trotter went from defending the route to realizing he put himself in position to make a play on the ball. No gather steps, just flipped hips and a burst to jump in the air and make himself a receiver. If Trotter does that in a game, everybody will lose their sh** in a good way, but because he’s doing it in practice they need to see it in the game. Some of us, have an idea of what to expect, but I think we’ll all end up suprised with him. The more I see (and hear) the more I like Trotter more than the idea of him.