Rueben Bain And The Hula Hoop
June 4th, 2026
Joe remembers back in 2016 when the Bucs drafted edge rusher Noah Spence and then-defensive coordinator Mike Smith likened him to Gumby, a comment that sailed over Spence’s head like a Jameis Winston opening-drive pass.
In the last century, Gumby was a TV show and/or a toy, but he always was a bendable figure that could be twisted in all kinds of directions. Smith loved the Gumby-like way Spence rushed the passer.
“If he’s got to go underground and pop back up, he’ll go underground and pop back up,” Smith said.
Sadly, Spence was a flop after a 5 1/2-sack rookie season.
Joe has thought of Spence while watching new Bucs rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain, the Miami Mauler, flash his Gumby-like ways in practice, except he’s got about 25 pounds more muscle and power in his body than Spence did.
Above is a screenshot from a tennis-ball drill the Buccaneers have their edge rushers perform. Rushers must shed a passive block and then break immediately left and tightly around the hoop — while grabbing the tennis ball and squeezing it without, hopefully, breaking stride.
Bain always stands out for his unique blend of bend, balance and power.
Joe was told by a source that Bain has been consistently giving stud Bucs left tackles fits with his raw ability and motor. Yeah, it’s underwear football, but Bain isn’t your typical flag football performer.
We’re 71 days from the first preseason kickoff.