This would be great news if it turned out true, but also could mean the coaching staff and FO are NUTZ!
;-)
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Forecast: A Bucs Rookie Better Than Rueben Bain Jr.?
Now for the first time in Cover 4 history we are going to talk about a forecast that is not my own. On the most recent episode of the Rondé Barber Show, the Bucs Hall of Famer said something that was quite eye-opening.
To be clear, Barber is not saying he believes Trotter is/will be the best player from this Bucs rookie class. Similarly, it is not my forecast that he will be either. But after watching a whole summer of practices, and a limited slate of preseason games, Barber has been told by people inside the Bucs organization that they believe Trotter will be the best player from this class.
We at Pewter Report get the same sense from the team. And in case you forgot, this is the same rookie class that includes Rueben Bain Jr., who the Bucs were over the moon to select with the 15th overall pick.
This is incredibly high praise for a 21-year-old who had legitimate warts coming out of Missouri. Keep in mind Trotter was the third linebacker taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, following Sonny Styles to Washington in the first round and Jacob Rodriguez to Miami just a few spots before him in the second.
Trotter’s physical skills are impressive. And his early preseason work was encouraging. The Bucs have a long history of developing premier linebackers. Derrick Brooks and Lavonte David were each at or near the top of the league during their respective careers. It would appear general manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and the rest of the organization believe they may be on to another one.
Only ONE game (cant repeat that caveat enough) BUT he was better than Bain . .. TODAY (and Bain may be injured)
BUCS communications:
"Over the past 10 seasons only two NFL players have recorded a sack, an interception and 5+ tackles in their NFL debut: - Buccaneers LB Josiah Trotter (today at CIN) - Steelers OLB T.J. Watt (9/10/17 at CLE)"
The pick is a bad choice by Burrows, but Trotter plays it well. He reads it right and jumps the route and catch the ball etc.
Bain and Scott are film junkies but so is Scott. I am not worried as these rookie defender trio and Hurst by the end of the season will have this team competing against anyone. Unfortunately the rest of the team is still in a funk from last season and that sucks.
BUT he was better than Bain . .. TODAY (and Bain may be injured)
Not sure how injured he is.Â
On the 4th quarter drive, where the Bengals made it a 2 score game, and essentially put it away...
...Bain was dropped in coverage THREE TIMES IN A ROW (per JBF and RBT).Â
Yet, couldn't muster up anything resembling a pass rush.Â
Todd with the 4D chess.Â
Josiah Trotter is the first NFL rookie with a pick six and a sack in his NFL debut since sacks became an official stat in 1982. He is also the ninth player in NFL history with a sack and interception in his NFL debut since 1982
