Gerald McCoy Believes Rueben Bain Will Need To Be Coached Up To Counter Short Arms
April 29th, 2026
Six-time Bucs Pro Bowl DT Gerald McCoy talks Rueben Bain.
Six-time Pro Bowl Bucs defensive tackle Gearld McCoy is the biggest Tampa Bay cheerleader — figuratively and perhaps literally.
McCoy always picks the Bucs to win on NFL Network pregame shows, and he is quick to defend all things Todd Bowles, Baker Mayfield and more.
On the current roster, the only negative McCoy consistently has shared is that last year’s rookie defensive tackle Elijah Roberts, the Bucs’ fifth-round pick, had significant growing pains. And McCoy won’t mention Roberts by name.
Breaking down all things for The Arena — Gridiron before the last week’s NFL Draft, McCoy gave his take on eventual Bucs first-round pick Rueben Bain, the Miami Mauler edge rusher.
Those short arms on Bain? McCoy says they’re problematic without proper coaching.
“Every defensive line coach I’ve talked to, all my defensive line friends, they believe it’s a problem, his arms being short,” McCoy said of Bain. “I’m one of the only people that believe you can coach him up to play it properly. You’re seeing offensive linemen saying they would love to go against a guy like that. Separation is just so important. I’m watching him play and I’m talking to defensive line coaches, and defensive line coaches don’t like guys with short arms. It’s too important an attribute.”
Interesting is that Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey has short arms, even shorter than Bain’s. And McCoy is very high on Kancey.
Yes, Joe realizes separation for an edge rusher is a different animal than it is for an inside pass rusher.
If one buys McCoy’s assessment that it will fall on the Bucs to coach up Bain to play well with short arms, then that puts a lot on the plate of outside linebackers coach Larry Foote. Second-year edge rusher David Walker also has short arms, one inch longer than Bain. Walker did not complete a practice in pads last season.
Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett had short arms for an edge rush prospect, about 1 1/2 inches longer than Bain.
For those wondering, Chris Braswell has an arm length scouts applaud.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:23 pm
That is why I would bring in
1.) Jim Schwartz!
Cripes remember what Todd Bowles said last December
Following a loss that dropped the team to 7–7 after a strong start, Bowles noted that the coaches had taught the players everything they needed to know, placing the onus on the players to execute.
2.) Sign Cam Jordan to be a Mentor … a what? yes a Mentor!!!
and he can still play…. I think… but it takes two to tango!!!!
April 29th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Wasn’t it Kancey that missed that tackle in the playoffs against Daniels. When he just slipped out of his hands. If he had longer arms he might have made that tackle. Just saying. Go Bucs!
April 29th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Tell me something… What was James Harrison’s arm length?? Exactly… Chill out with this crap..
April 29th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Mike Tyson’s reach was about six inches less than Bain’s, according to AI. I can’t think of a sport where reach could be more important than boxing.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Buncha tyrannosaurus rexes all up in here
April 29th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
THE LENGTH OF 1 AA BATTERY
That’s the difference in Aaron Donald’s vs Ruben Baine’s arm length.
One is #1 DT All-Time and the other a likely bust because of arm length?
What would Tony Dungy say?
BUCS HISTORY LESSON
Derek Brooks was he was too small, Sapp wasn’t strong enough, Ronde was lacking in nearly every catagory. Tony drafted based on how they played football. Tends to work out.
And let’s not forget my favorite … Tristan Wirfs was too nice.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Last sentence is phenomenal
April 29th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
McCoy and his never ending Bucs advice makes me sleepy.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
Another Great Ideal from MCSOFTY
WITH McButter saying that makes me believe
BAIN BEAST IS UNLEASHED!!!
April 29th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
He has had these supposed short arms during his domination in collage pretty sure he has figured it out. Using his length or lack of was never bains game anyway his power bend getting low to the ground and football IQ don’t care about his arm length which is what he uses to win his matchups.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
While Bain’s arms are shorter, some reports indicate his overall wingspan (77 1/2″) is nearly identical to Aaron Donald’s reported 77 5/8″ wingspan, suggesting similar overall reach despite the difference in arm length alone.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
Bain has won against high-end college lineman. Those linemen eventually become NFL lineman. No one has explained yet how that magically changes once he gets to do the NFL. I’d be interested to hear.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
Being a lifelong OU fan- and I’m sure all of the Bucs fans on this site know, you have to take whatever Gerald might say with a grain of salt. Ok, maybe a block of salt. But his heart is in the right place. I’m still a bit away from being sold on Bain, but I would say, after watching Bain play football, that you don’t want to “coach him up” as regarding beating a block, or hounding the QB. Coach him minimally. Let’s let the stud be a stud.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
Ash Says:
April 29th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
He has had these supposed short arms during his domination in collage pretty sure he has figured it out.
BINGO!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 29th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
what does gerald mccoy think jason taylor was doing?
April 29th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
Nonsense. He’s already been countering his short arms his entire career. He excels at hand fighting and has a deep pass rushing toolkit designed to get tackles paws off of him.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
STFU Gummy.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Who, or what coach on the Bucs is going to coach Bain up better than Jason Taylor has the last three years? Think before you open your pie hole Gerry.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Well he came to the wrong team for that. Todd can’t coach let alone coach DE to succeed
April 29th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
I can’t take any man seriously wearing a denim muumuu.
Jason Taylor coached Bain up knowing what he needed to do to be successful at the position.
McCoy is about as memorable as my last bowel movement.
April 29th, 2026 at 3:00 pm
His supposedly short arms are a non issue. It’s silly talk
April 29th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
I hate Bowles so I hate the Bain pick. But I also hate McCoy so this makes me like Bain. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. What to do?
April 29th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Reedo, stop being a Bucs fan and go away?
And Brutal Bain is about to make McCoy look like a prima donna.
April 29th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
I’m quite certain that Bain went up against plenty of tackles and guards in college who had much longer arms than he has and performed very well against those players. Given that arm length isn’t everything (hello Chris Braswell and JTS) we ought to not judge anything about Bain until after he puts on some pads and goes after a few QBs.
April 29th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Oh boy. Red flags and sirens going off at OBP.
If past is prologue, there will be no coaching up on defense.
Just more of the same Swiss cheese pass defensive scheme.
Just gotta coach it better!!!!
April 29th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Coached Up! See Ball. Go Get It!…McCoy is ridiculous! As is the short arm sh!t…
April 29th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Good old Stubby. LOL anther Bowles draft down the tubes. The outlook is bleak for the next few years of Blunderball. Don’t worry just lower your expectations and enjoy the show. They will eventually dump Bowles and Licht for a real rebuild. We ared decades away from another SB. Don’t worry Be happy.
April 29th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
I would think the wingspan issue would be more important for an Olineman..Just as Jason Taylor about Jonathan Ogden…
April 29th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
Grover you should heed your own advice
April 29th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Arm length is more important than a guys desire to dominate or heart n hard work STFU, it’s rare for guys with Bains measurables to get drafted high because there isn’t many guys as good as Bain with those measurables, he’s not normal
April 29th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
Grover,
Go back to your coloring books and crayons.
The adults are here to have a real football discussion
April 29th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
All this crap about short arms. The man can play! Nuff said.
April 29th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
I thought Jason Taylor coached him up to using his short arms to his advantage
I think he’s ready now , he don’t need to be coached up
April 29th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
Maybe the Ice Cream man can coach Reuben Bain up
April 29th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
When I played my arms were long enough to get to the coldest beer in the back of fridge..
April 29th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
One thing no one seems to realize yet is that Bain could still be growing. So if his arms wind up being longer that makes him better? I would be curious to see what he measures when he’s 25-27 yo.
April 29th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Grover NEAR…
Grover far….
April 29th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
Bain is by far the best edge guy the Bucs have had in years. Our D-line is way stronger than it’s been in years. We have a good mix of vets and new talent @ ILB and we have some dynamic youngsters on the back end.
————–
But whoa is me – whaaaaaaa 😭🤣…. Todd will make it all suck. He is DC & HC 😭. Swiss cheese defense 😭 blah blah blah. I don’t know much about football but I know I hate Todd and I can’t shut up about it – blah blah blah 😭
April 29th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
Shaq had 1 1/2 in longer arms then Bain an ppl are freaking out 1/1/2 inches seriously lol gtfoh Bain will be fine I really can’t believe it’s even talked about to be honest I’m more worried about his Speed then arm length an I’m not really worried bout his speed but if I had to pick something to worry abiliuy would be that but I believe he will only get better with Professional Trainers an nutritionist i believe he will get quicker with hai development vut you cantntea h that power
April 29th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Loose Cannons said on last podcast… give Bain 93, just so Gerald understands how little we care about his opinion. I agree!
April 29th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
I would be super grateful if you stopped quoting Gerald McCoy. I’d be even happier if Gerald stfu and went to some other media market – maybe covering basketball in Japan.
April 29th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Who cares either you produce or.get cut that why all out 2nd round pass rushers are gone they didn’t produce in college either.. but this guy did produce in college nobody’s worried just people like to talk about what ifs he has done it jason licht knows more then us..
April 29th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
I’ll be soooo glad when real football starts and we can move on from all this silliness. Tend to believe that what most of us care about is ‘Can this guy REALLY play NFL football?’ Kinda hard to tell though until he’s actually played some games. Until we’ve seen him in action in real NFL games, it’s all pure speculation.
April 29th, 2026 at 4:30 pm
T-Rex was probably underestimated as well for having short arms, but he did quite well.
He used those short arms to grip prey during close-up attacks.
What did he eat? Anything he wanted.
April 29th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
“For those wondering, Chris Braswell has an arm length scouts applaud”
EXACTLY!
April 29th, 2026 at 4:35 pm
Since we’re on the subject of Edges, I’m kinda wondering if Bowles will keep SIX OLBs this year (Diaby, Bain, Muhammad, Nelson, Braswell & Walker). Can’t exactly put any of them on the Practice Squad because someone would snarf them up (since we couldn’t protect them).
We have the same dilemma with our DLine. Can we keep SIX DLinemen this season (Vea, Robinson, RNR, Kancey, Roberts & Capehart)?
Since we normally keep 25 on defense, that’d only leave us 13 spaces for ILB, CB & Safety. Not enough; can’t see Bowles going with any less than 4 ILB plus 10 Secondary. Although a few times in the past he has gone with 26 on defense, so you never know.
April 29th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
So does JTS. Hes got 34 inch arms and he’s just as soft as Gerald.
I don’t think anyone is going to be dumb enough to call Bain soft.