Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles didn’t hide how he feels about rookie outside linebacker Rueben Bain, Jr. The way he talked about him, Tampa Bay thinks it landed a real difference-maker.
Bowles praised Bain’s physical tools, but he spent just as much time on the little things that usually tell you whether a pass rusher can become something special. He pointed to how Bain works the edge, how he uses his hands, how he understands leverage, and how he never burns steps.
Bowles also said the rookie has picked up the system quickly and can run games well, while noting the potential for Bain and Calijah Kancy on the same side because both get off the ball so well and understand each other. Bowles said, “I’m extremely grateful,” and later added that seeing Bain in spring made it impossible not to smile.
Tampa Bay also heard encouraging signs from Emeka Egbuka, who said he hit a rookie wall and spent the offseason making recovery a priority. Egbuka said, “I feel like I got my legs back a little bit,” and explained that coming off the national championship, the combine, and the rest of the rookie process left him feeling like he never really got a break. After the season, he took time off his legs, eased back into training, leaned up, added muscle, and said he’s now in “very good condition, very good shape.”
Bowles said the Bucs also attacked another clear need: getting bigger inside and improving against the run. He said the team brought in the personnel to handle that job, explaining that even with Kancey hurt and Logan Hall a little more athletic last year, Tampa Bay may not have been big enough to stand toe-to-toe consistently. The team could scheme around it, Bowles said, but now it has players who can line up, hold their ground, and understand what the defense is trying to do.
There’s also the ongoing Baker Mayfield situation, and general manager Jason Licht said the team will keep working on a deal. Licht said, “He’s going to ball no matter what and we’ll continue to have discussions and try to get this to a closure,” while adding that these negotiations are never easy.
In Atlanta, Kyle Pitts said the Falcons have already started to feel different under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Pitts called it “a culture change,” though he also framed it as part of the yearly reset every team goes through. What stood out to him was the emphasis on work. “the work is the work,” Pitts said, and he said that has been the message throughout OTAs and minicamp.
Pitts also liked watching the quarterback competition unfold. He said, “I just want to catch the ball, as many times as possible.
It’s cool to see - I mean, I’ve been in the, some people say quarterback carousel, so me seeing a quarterback competition is cool. To have two guys like that who are peak competitors is great to see.”
He also spoke about his three-year extension, saying, “I think it’s great, but the first thing for me is just my expression of gratitude to this organization. It’s always good to know when people like you. For them to trust that I have a lot more to go is pretty cool to see and feel.”
In New Orleans, Tyler Shough’s offseason has already drawn some high-profile attention. Drew Brees set up workouts for the Saints quarterback, and Peyton Manning has been among those pulling for him after what Manning described as a valuable rookie season.
Speaking to WGNO’s Jon Sokoloff at the Manning Passing Academy, Manning said, “I thought Shough had a good year, and it was good to play. There’s always different debates whether you sit for a year or play for a year,” Manning said.
“There’s information to support both, but I know Tyler got great experience playing as a rookie that will benefit him even more. Same coach back, same system.
Kellen, Nuss, and I love continuity for young quarterbacks as opposed to different coordinator or different head coach after their first or second year. Pulling hard for him this year.”
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