Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden said first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. could become a double-digit sack player and compared his playing style to former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison.
Gruden discussed Bain during an appearance on the 95.7 WDAE radio show. He pointed to Bain’s length and style while noting that Larry Foote, a member of the Buccaneers staff, also mentioned Harrison in connection with Bain.
Gruden projects double-digit sack potential
“I think he can be a double-digit sack guy,” said Jon Gruden on the 95.7 WDAE show. “If you look at James Harrison who played a long time for the Pittsburgh Steelers, very similar length and playing style [to Bain]. Coach [Larry] Foote on the Bucs staff, I think I heard him mention James Harrison’s name and Harrison was not even drafted but he would kick your ass week-in and week-out. That is what I think Tampa Bay has, their version of a young James Harrison.”
Bain played for the Miami Hurricanes before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The source describes him as having the strength of a defensive tackle along with the agility and bend of an edge rusher, giving him multiple ways to attack opposing offenses.
Bain is expected to bring his physical style and aggressive mentality to Todd Bowles’ defense. Gruden’s comparison gives the first-round pick a notable benchmark as Tampa Bay evaluates his potential.
Source: Original report