Todd Bowles Raves About Rueben Bain Professionalism
August 20th, 2026
Acts like a pro.
So KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles has had 14 training camp practices to watch his prized jewel of a draft pick, the Miami Mauler, Rueben Bain.
As Bowles this week sat down with Pat Kirwan and Jacob Hester, co-hosts of “Movin’ the Chains” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Bowles was asked for his thoughts on Bain.
Hester remarked that his first practice watching Bain left him impressed because Bain looked and acted like a seasoned veteran.
“His professionalism has been off the chain,” Bowles said of Bain.
“And his intelligence to the game and his work ethic has been outstanding. nd you forget he’s a rookie because you rarely have to correct him or get on him about anything. He very rarely makes mistakes. So it’s easy to forget [Bain is a rookie].
“He shows you that he’s around every time when he comes off the ball.”
Joe has watched Bain in practice since training camp started and there is no doubt he can and will affect an offense. The only question for Joe is whether he will be put consistently in positions so he can make an impact?
Way more interesting, @PatMcAfeeShow, than Rueben Bain working after practice is Bain putting in the work just to be able to do it.
What NFL player sets up his own stuff to this extreme 25 minutes after practice in 105 degree heat index?
He dragged both 50+ yards. pic.twitter.com/SBbXUKuCcT— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 18, 2026
August 20th, 2026 at 9:07 am
Reminiscent of Simone Rice, no? Didn’t he used to stay after practice and games, and kept working… Keep the conditioning up! I dig it!
August 20th, 2026 at 9:09 am
I loved the scene when Bain was drafted…
All the other picks before him spent time glossing in front of that weird looking mirror putting on their new team’s caps.
Bain just stormed by – grabbed the hat – put it on – and looked pissed as he!! doing it.
I love this guy.
Plus I am a huge Canes fan.
This man is a DAWG!
August 20th, 2026 at 9:21 am
Well said, Marine Buc!
August 20th, 2026 at 9:33 am
Bain could be the new version of the Aaron Rodgers draft slide lol…
greatest fell in our lap!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 20th, 2026 at 9:38 am
So stoked for this season especially now that Vea will be back. Trench warfare baby
August 20th, 2026 at 9:49 am
If Bain approaches his entire career like he’s approaching this training camp, the man is going to be something very special. Waaaaay too early to make comparisons to the greatest of “greats” in the game, but the work ethic does seem to be there to eventually put him in a conversation later on.
August 20th, 2026 at 9:50 am
Who drafted Mesidor , I think you will find allot of the same !!
Not by Chance !! Give both Men lottsa props but let’s Also
Give a huge shout out to Jason Taylor , not an easy task to
have two playas with their work ethic and focus !!
BTW they both have Ultra High Motors , Great Bend
and Great Hands !!
Pass rush is so dam important that i would make Taylor
the highest paid d end coach in the NFL tomorrow!!
Both these guys are so coached up it’s Crazy !!
2025 NCAA Coach of the Year J Taylor !!
August 20th, 2026 at 10:01 am
Joe … ‘The only question for Joe is whether he will be put consistently in positions so he can make an impact?’
And there it is! Your incessant jabs at Bowles reminds me so much of the most common line in a number of old-time monster movies when the lead guy is asked why he transitioned from a nice guy to a werewolf or whatever … ‘I just couldn’t help myself’.
August 20th, 2026 at 10:01 am
But his arms are SO fricking SHORT!
I still think he should have asked for jersey number 15. It would have been a nice reminder of where he was drafted, with 14 other teams being embarrassed every time he sacks their QB.
August 20th, 2026 at 10:04 am
Great, but how are his coverage skills. Idiot.
August 20th, 2026 at 10:05 am
Even if the Bucs can improve to a top 12 defense, I think we can reach 10 or 11 wins. Stay healthy and I think we have a turnaround from the disappointment of last year.
August 20th, 2026 at 10:06 am
Even if the Bucs can improve to a top 12 defense, I think we can reach 10 or 11 wins. Stay healthy and I think we have a turnaround from the disappointment of last year.
August 20th, 2026 at 10:37 am
This could go down as a historical draft year.
August 20th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Thank you Defense…this site rarely has any real analysis. Shaq Barrett did break the Bucs single season sack record. And JPP had quite a few sacks as well. Please let’s stop acting like Bowles doesn’t let his LBs get after the QB. Who have they had since Shaq and JPP could consistently get to the QB??? Diaby is the only name that comes to mind.
August 20th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Eckwood, I echo your comments as I was going to say something similar. And I’m curious how Messidor is doing as well. But still very stoked that Bain fell to us. Hopefully we have an opportunity here to follow what could be a special career. Yeah, yeah, getting ahead of ourselves I know. But that’s one of the fun parts about being a fan. With Vita signed, the ingredients are complete and we’ll see what kind of hopefully toxic stew that cooks up for our d-line in terms of destroying offensive lines and setting the table for our other defenders. Anyway… Just hoping it all works out as planned.
August 20th, 2026 at 10:49 am
It was sad Walker, Braswell, Pyburn, and others didn’t join him.
August 20th, 2026 at 11:03 am
When you have the defense performances of last season I would say the incessant jabs are warranted until something different is shown during a regular season.
August 20th, 2026 at 11:10 am
Bain is an old soul….you can just tell.
Um, we just might have a DFROY with us fellas!! And with Big V back…yeah, gonna be nasty out there.
August 20th, 2026 at 11:42 am
Bain has a tree trunk for a body, powerful looking dude. Agree with a couple of others that he will not be held back by TB. This guy is not your average cat.
August 20th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
@ DR
Let’s be honest bud…
Todd Bowles has earned every single one of those “incessant jabs” that Joe has thrown his way.
You know what would help Todd Bowles?
Win 11 games this season for the first time ever as a head coach…
Bowles won 10 games with the Jets back in 2015.
Since then?
(Loud cricket noises inserted here)
August 20th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
I think he can win 11 this year if we can avoid tons of injuries. And someone else beat me to it pointing out to Joes that Shaq Barrett had his best seasons of his career here. So it’s obvious Bowles doesn’t hold back his OLB’s from affecting the game or whatever else nonsense he is going to spew about Bowles. Give Bowles good players he will give you a great defense. It’s that simple. We haven’t gotten as lucky with our defensive draft picks as we have our offensive ones for a while now. I think that’s gonna change in a big way this year.
We shall see…
August 20th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
À point I’ve made before that hasn’t been noticed on here is Shaq Barrett only dropped in coverage 13 percent of the time while he played here. That’s almost a negligible amount. And I’m sure Bain will be rushing every time there’s a high leverage situation too.
August 20th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Joe … ‘The only question for Joe is whether he will be put consistently in positions so he can make an impact?’
————–
That’s your only question and not just another Todd hates edge rushers dig, for the 200th time?
August 20th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
@buccaneer bonzai
You are right man.
This draft class could become truly legendary.
Bain is our new Sapp. À true QB Killa.
Trotter looks like Hardy Nickerson who Barber called “Darth Vader.”
Scott reminds me of a Lynch/Jordan Whitehead hybrid.
Hurst looks like our new Mike Evans ( à true X )
Ayden Garnes looks like an undrafted diamond in the rough.
Daniels looks like a gem.
Pyburn looks like an undrafted gem.
Bauer is an absolute psycho. I love him!
I don’t know enough about Shrauth. I hope he can be a legit backup guard.
It’s good to be a Buccaneer! LFG!
August 20th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Def. Rules Always appreciate your perspective on things ,
But on this one I am with Joe, Todd tends to earn the criticsm he gets… more often than not .
August 20th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
Hes a Ray Lewis protégé The “U” !
August 20th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
..Its all about playing meaningful games in December, to have that shot at the tournament !
August 20th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
If Kancey can stay healthy for once, he would make a huge impact on defense!