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, Ben 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 who is almost forgotten about is Josiah Trotter. The Bucs’ inside linebacker, Joe is very confident soon, Trotter will be the heart-and-soul of the Bucs defense.
The Bucs wanted new blood on the roster who played with a passion, played with heart and yes, even played 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 at 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 really believes that Trotter will soon be a fan favorite. He plays the game you want guys to play and he brings fire and passion. And that style is contagious.