Larry Foote Compares Rueben Bain To Two High Level Players Of The Past
May 19th, 2026
Bet on him.
Now that Bucs outside linebackers coach Larry Foote has seen rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain on a practice field in the two weeks since the draft, he has a better feel for the Bucs’ first-round pick.
Enough that Foote, who was a starting linebacker for Steelers’ Super Bowl teams — won one (2008) and lost one (2010) — Foote said Bain reminds him of two great players.
And yeah, if Foote was a gambling man, he lay cash that Bain is the real deal.
“Off the film, if you had to bet, he’s going to be a star,” Foote said with a smile. “Just the way he plays the game. He’s explosive, plays with great leverage and it’s hard to block those type of guys.
“Back in my Pittsburgh days, played with a guy, James Harrison, [who was] like that. Just couldn’t block him. And [Bain] has that trait. He has that ability.”
Mentally, Foote said Bain reminds him of another top-shelf player, one that Bucs fans know well.
“I’m more impressed with his mindset,” Foote said of Bain. And I kind of got a little feel for that when we interviewed him at the combine [as well as] these last few weeks [at One Buc Palace].
“He has that Lavonte David focus.”
Foote, half-joking, half-serious, said Bain is a perfect example of his upbringing. He went to the same Miami high school as Calijah Kancey and David. Football is religion to the locals.
“Them guys are just, you know, it’s Jesus 1A and football 1B. Them guys guys love ball.
“Even when it’s break time, you don’t see [Bain] pulling his phone out like the rest of them. He’s all about ball. So I’m excited to have him.”
Well, if Bain has the physicality of James Harrison — and that’s actually a pretty good comp — and has the mentality of David, the Bucs had a rare bird fall in their laps last month.
May 19th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
#Repost
LUVMYBUCS Says:
April 27th, 2026 at 1:21 am
He’s our James Harrison (aka DeeBo)
One can only hope he savors that role.
May 19th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
Now “THAT” EXCITES ME!
Man I REALLY LIKE our new first rounder. HE gives me the BACK TO WHAT THE BUCCANEERS ARE ALL ABOUT! “DEFENSIVE JUGGERNAUTS!”
I get tingly All Over when I think about the POUNDING that BAIN’s gonna put on some smug faces! BODY SLAM! SQUISH! BAM! POW! KABOOOOOM!
Oh Yeah….
May 19th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
Great! Let’s fill his head with stupid comparisons and compliments.
Maybe give him a participation trophy at the end of the season, like the team received last year finishing tied for first and sitting home during the playoffs.
Or maybe they could tell him, “you’re just like the last 320 first round picks over the last ten years. Big deal. Lots of company. And a slew of them were busts. No one is impressed with your draft status. Get your ass in the weight room, watch film, and wash some dishes. You have not earned any accolades yet.”
That’s what he needs to hear.
Can you imagine Bear Bryant, Bellichick, or Nick Saban vomiting praise on
these guys?
Can the Bucs for once have coaches that don’t want to be fan boys?
May 19th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Btw, you know the ONLY strategy that can beat a defensive juggernaut? The One that Bowles threw away like it was garbage…. We mastered that too.. Could have ACTUALLY had another Super Bowl…. IF we had chosen a….. different leader while we had ALL the weapons to continue the dominance. At the time we DIDN’T Have To replace Everybody! A peice here and there INSTEAD OF a Complete Rebuild in a poor attempt to be a run first team, WHEN we had ALL THE WEAPONS AND “WAS” an Offensive Juggernaut…. I want to throw up as I remember the GLORY OF WINNING A LOT, just a few years ago….
WHAT A SHAME….
May 19th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
What the heck are you talking about Melvin/Obvious One? Yikes. Take a pill.
May 19th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Phones have destroyed our youth.
And they are destroying football.
Phones have made players soft.
Players need to limit screen time like they limit alcohol.
Phones and elite athletes don’t mix.
May 19th, 2026 at 7:45 pm
“LUVMYBUCS Says:
May 19th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
#Repost
LUVMYBUCS Says:
April 27th, 2026 at 1:21 am
He’s our James Harrison (aka DeeBo)
One can only hope he savors that role.“
Man knows ball
May 19th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
He better add 25 lbs of straight muscle to become the beast James Harrison was. Dude could bench a small bus!
Yes, you don’t push weights at the 50 yard line at any point during the game but Harrison had an unbelievable amount of strength and power.
Bain seems to have similar traits as Harrison so he could certainly have that trajectory.
May 19th, 2026 at 8:25 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch
Respect, Bredren
May 19th, 2026 at 9:12 pm
Hey so much hype. However he appears to be the type to not even listen to it. I think we need to let the guys put the pads on before we anoint him. I mean just hit the pause button .
May 19th, 2026 at 9:17 pm
StPetematt,
Shut up. Not interested in whatever your weirdness is. Maybe if you weren’t a new fan. Maybe if you were around 5/6 years ago then YOU’D KNOW what I’m talking about slick!
May 19th, 2026 at 9:22 pm
If you think phones are a problem — they are not — you’re gonna love AI in a couple of years!
(Joe never saw a phone miss a tackle or drop a football.)
(What next, video games killed society? TV? The radio?)
May 19th, 2026 at 10:11 pm
No once player can carry a team. But, he is the right kind of addition to make.