Todd Bowles Addresses Rueben Bain “Telegraphing” Things
September 16th, 2026
So Miami Mauler rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain had a shockingly weak debut on Sunday. After a lot of hype (not his fault), he didn’t look like the high-motor, highly-skilled player he was in training camp.
Speaking on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week, Todd Bowles said Bain “telegraphed a few things, but it was his first game out.”
Today, Joe asked Bowles to expand on what he meant by telegraphing, and Joe asked if that was tied to something NFL-related versus what Bain dealt with in college.
“No. He just stopped thinking and a couple chips got in his way and he got a little frustrated, but he’ll be fine,” Bowles said. “He understands what he has to do. It doesn’t relate to the NFL.”
Bain is not on this week’s first injury report that was issued today. Joe was glad to see that because Bain sure looked either gassed or limited by the shoulder he hurt in training camp.
As Joe wrote 100 times in the preseason, Bain shouldn’t be expected to be a double-digit sack savior. Legions of great Hall of Fame level pass rushers before him had low-production rookie years with a lot of lessons learned.
Bain gets a pass for Sunday in Joe’s book. Veterans like Vita Vea and Alex Anzalone do not.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
Front 7 was terrible except one guy that was great.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Bain is now coached by Todd Bowles. That’s means he’s going to regress in a major way.
Todd asks his edge rushers to do other things on the field.
Including looking lost, playing soft, quitting on plays, and making backup QB’s look like Dan Marino in his prime.
“He just stopped thinking”. A Todd Bowles specialty.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
I really feel like this team doesn’t do a good job of rotating our OLBs. We have a bunch of ok guys, no one is special so how about running these guys in and out like hockey lines so they can go at 100% each snap
September 16th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
Remember though that Bain was training against Goedeke who also had a rough start to the season. I think Bain learned more in 3 hours vs the Ben Gals than he did in a month in camp.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
Stress can drain you mentally and physically.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Idk if people here understand how a 3-4 operates. You can hate that that’s the defense but acting mad that a 3-4 OLB drops in coverage displays remedial ball knowledge.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Cosmo “name change” Kramer.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:28 pm
A’Shawn Robinson did his job and was the best of the front. He had 3 tackles and so was way more effective than Vea, Kancey and the rest. Haven’t heard much about his performance but he deserves to get called out on the positive side.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
I call bullsh!t on 2 things Bowles said before the season.
1. ILB is NOT the strength of this team. We have 1 good ILB, Trotter. Anzalone is trash at this point in his career.
2. This is NOT the best we have been set at Edge since Bowles arrived here. JPP and Shaq Barrett were WAY better when they were on the field together.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Bain logged 41 def snaps … playing almost 2/3rds of the game. His total contribution: 1 tackle.
Meanwhile Muhammad only got 26 def snaps … playing slightly over 40% of the game. His total contribution: 1 tackle PLUS 2 QB knockdowns. And oh ya, Muhammad was the only OLB to even sniff Burrow. None of the others came close enough to log a knockdown or a hurry, and certainly not a sack.
For those who have YouTube TV, you can watch the top (key) plays of the game during the week. There were 35 key plays for Sunday’s game (and yes, all of the turnovers were included as key plays). Watching just those 35 plays, I was even less impressed with the play of our OLine & Dline (and OLBs) than I was Sunday. I had such high hopes, and they were thwarted. Bummer.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Week. Or Weak?
September 16th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
He was lining up
So wide
September 16th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Well said Joez
September 16th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Watch Baldy’s tape on Bain.
Bain got absolutely owned.
Bowles never stunted him inside.
No creativity = No Surprise.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:43 pm
Lou … ‘A’Shawn Robinson did his job and was the best of the front. He had 3 tackles and so was way more effective than Vea, Kancey and the rest.’
A’Shawn will HOPEFULLY now be in line for a LOT more def snaps in the coming games. He actually had 5 tackles (3 solo, 2 assist), PLUS he was credited with 1 QB hit (knockdown).
He only logged 32 def snaps, but historically he’s shown that he can handle up to about 48 def snaps in a game (about 50% more). I’ve said many times before that I’d love to see a much beefier 3-man DLine (my preference now would be Robinson, Vea and maybe 1 of our younger big studs like Capehart or Simmons), along with Kancey as 1 End and Diaby, Bain or Muhammad as the other End. Yup, a 5-man rush with 2 ILBs & 4 Secondary (and have 1 of the Safeties close playing almost a 3rd ILB). No more of this ‘Where’s the beef?’ stuff.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Anthony is a ballchinian.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
@cosmo… change the record, and we dont need a remix. Great players will be great players. The SB win proves that and Bowles asked all of them to do the same thing, smh.
September 16th, 2026 at 5:51 pm
Going against pros man for the first time
I love that he got smoked
Will make him better
September 16th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
If the Bucs had a real HC and a DC I wouldn’t worry. But it’s Todd Bowles and he’s pure trash and doesn’t know how to coach. What a shame that we have to waste under season
September 16th, 2026 at 6:05 pm
I said that if Rueben Bain is rushing from a 2 point stance
He will be non-existent against NFL tackles
If he rushed from a 3 point stance, like he did in college
He will have more success, because he’s not a standup pass rusher
Most of his success at Miami Central, Miami U
Was rushing from a 3 point stance, and 4 point stance
September 16th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
The CIN RT looked wayyyyyyyyyyy better than ours, so there’s that -Bain looked like a high school kid playing against a grown arse man
September 16th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
It’s a known fact Rueben Bain get off the ball quicker
And he’s more explosive, and he’s a terror
When he’s rushing with his hand in the dirt
September 16th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
What i never understood, is how if someone is coached well, like Bain in Miami by Jason, and has an arsenal of moves that he used and coached, then even if the say new position coach in the NFL is not as good as some might say, how in only 12 months do u forget everything that made u a first rd draft pick? Do new coaches say dont do what u excel at and made us pick you, do these inferior pass rush moves instead and look like a bust to America!?
September 16th, 2026 at 6:29 pm
Get a pass wtf these guys are paid pretty darn good for all the excuses game after game I can’t write enough about this frustration. Go bucs 2027 and welcome new coaches and players!
September 16th, 2026 at 6:40 pm
So predictable. I saw this coming that all the clowns would overreact if Bain didn’t have a good game. It’s week 1 of his rookie year for cry out loud! Come back in November and bitch and whine if Bain isn’t making impactful plays.
He had a bad game to be sure, but he was up against one of the best young RTs in football and one of the biggest. Learning experience for Bain. I’m not concerned one bit.
Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Bain have a big impact Sunday.
September 16th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
Glad master mind DC found away to get Walker in for a few snaps no one else was getting there why the hell not
September 16th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
David Walker only got special teams snaps
He didn’t get any snaps on defense
September 16th, 2026 at 6:53 pm
Rueben Bain is a traditional 4-3 DE
He’s not an OLB, the Bucs are trying to make him a 3-4 OLB
Can you imagine Simeon Rice as a 3-4 OLB?
September 16th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
AQM play the best that’s who needs to be starting until Ruben can get it together
September 16th, 2026 at 7:16 pm
on another note….congrats to Ira Kauffman who is keeping his job on the Hall of Fame Committee….way to go Ira….Dungy was one of the many cuts as they go from 50 to 28 members
September 16th, 2026 at 7:16 pm
Scott you’re right
AQM is their best edge rusher right now
They have to ease Rueben Bain into the role of OLB
It’s a learning experience for Bain
AQM is a seasoned veteran, he knows the ropes
September 16th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
@Lakeland,
It’s not the Bucs, it’s Todd and JL once again trying to put the square peg in the round hole. They’re going to waste his talent like they have many others. Contrary to what they both believe, neither is a guru or genius. The season is not lost, but it is not an auspicious start. One more game of Todd bringing them out flat as a board. No offense or defense is afraid of this team. We’re just good enough to get beat or do it to ourself.
September 16th, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Imagine that! Guys not ready to play! Let’s hope he’s ready to play next season, if Bowles is gone.
September 16th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
Hope our new super D End gets better a hurry. Mimms Cincinnati by way of the University of GEORGIA really bput him in a box
September 16th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Tytus Howard with a 6’8” wingspan is up next at RT… Shhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiit!
September 16th, 2026 at 9:21 pm
Erik with Clean Athletics™ Says:
“Anzalone is trash…”
I had to watch a replay on NFL+ and so I was able to rewind and rewatch plays…and people are totally misjudging Anzalone. He was in one a lot more plays than you 5hink, and he also made some great, violent hits without committing penalties.
It was only one game, and it was against a very, very good team. And the starters barely got playing time in the preseason.
Too soon to judge anyone really. Four games in we’ll have a much better picture.
September 16th, 2026 at 9:26 pm
Also, Anzalone only here for two years. He signed a contract for $17m over that time, but only 12m is guaranteed. He’s gettin 9m this year, leaving only $3m of the guaranteed money left. That means they can cut him after this season, and save $6m next year…if they need to.
September 16th, 2026 at 9:28 pm
Sorry, they can save $5m by cutting him after tthe season. My math brain miscalculated.
September 16th, 2026 at 10:38 pm
Lakeland i touched on this after the draft
as well as having him switch sides ??
can we fly JASON Taylor in on Sundays to be a assistant defensive coordinator?
September 16th, 2026 at 10:38 pm
Buccaneer bonsai is right about Alex Anxalone. He’s not as bad as people are
Making him out to be. He was actually an improvement over last year ( SVD).
could’ve been better.
Bain was not expected to get three sacks in his debut. It’s hard to get right into the NFL as a rookie, especially when you’re up against Mims . A monster who’s been in the NFL for 17 years and still is one of the best.
September 16th, 2026 at 10:39 pm
Ok Let’s Not Over React It was Week 1 I have faith that things will turn around give this team a cpl weeks Wirfs didn’t play all off-season actually a cpl guys were out all off season Vita give them a shot to get in shape
September 16th, 2026 at 11:30 pm
I hate you Bowles.
September 17th, 2026 at 6:32 am
“He just stopped thinking”
yea just like his boss todd.
September 17th, 2026 at 7:57 am
Mims just turned 24. 17yr vet? Is that a record?
September 17th, 2026 at 8:34 am
“He just stopped thinking”
That is right up there with
“He gets bored.”
September 17th, 2026 at 9:22 am
David Walker needs some 3rd down snaps!
He even looked great on special teams!
He looks like an NFL athlete!
Give him some 3rd down reps.
And slide Bain into DT more often!
He will rush better from the inside!
September 17th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Ian Beckles was on with Pat & Aaron this morning and basically said (I’m paraphrasing here) it could take Bain the entire year or possibly longer to come into his own. Using himself as an example, he said he was still getting his butt kicked in week 17 of his rookie year. It just takes some time.
September 17th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Ridiculous overreaction from this fanbase. Anything to attack Bowles, and JBF is never short on gaslighting the conversation. Dissecting every word and sentence the coach says to allude to a perspective…Geesh.
Simply pay attention to how the game played out. Bengals got handed a lot of help early from our offense and with the early lead, they didn’t have to push the ball too hard…quick short throws, move the sticks kind of ball. When the game flows that way, it’s less on the front 4 and more so on the ILB and secondary to take away the short game. The lone sack came on an ILB blitz, which Bowles sparingly used, given how good Burrows is with his reads. Then, with the talent they have at WR, arguably the best duo in the league, with one of the best passing QBs in the league, our safeties had to respect that, so they were less helpful helping to cover the middle of the field. ILBs had their work cut out for them. Hence why Anzalone was so exposed.
Btw, RT Mims is no slouch, another Bucs pod had a Bengals show, that gave their team perspective, and contrary to our own experts, they were quite confident how well the Bengals Oline would perform, and they weren’t wrong. Mims is a first-round pick and he is massive. Bain had his work cut out for him 1 on 1. And no, we don’t have and Aaron Donald or a Myles Garrett type on this team, so this idea that we have that kind of talent on this squad is such unrealistic expectation. Very spoiled fanbase to act like this after this game where the offense turned the ball over 4 times. 4 times!
September 17th, 2026 at 10:07 am
Zoocomics for the win. Concur.
September 17th, 2026 at 11:29 am
I saw him drop back a couple times. Just lile reddick last year. Im gettin sick of the bowles 3-4
September 17th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
The Bowles hate goes so overboard here its ridiculous. Whenever I look at these comments I begin to believe that the majority of Bucs fans are 8 year olds
September 17th, 2026 at 9:10 pm
Bain was lame Sunday and I’m being nice.
Pull the tape.
It’s clear as day. He simply stood there before getting blasted backwards 10 yards when they ran his way.
I hope it was just a one off.
A defense like a chain is only as strong as its weakest link in the chain.
Go Bucs