So a week ago Joe speculated on WDAE radio and on the Ira Kaufman Podcast that Miami Mauler rookie Bucs edge rusher Rueben Bain was injured or sick in Week 1.
Nothing else made sense.
Joe watched Bain look ferocious in training camp, including against the Jets and Jaguars in joint practices. The Bain that showed up in Week 1 of the regular season absolutely was not that guy looking dominant in August.
Well, Bain resumed his sad, uninspired play yesterday against the Browns. Joe can even point to Bain loafing a couple of times.
Interestingly, head coach Todd Bowles acknowledged in a news conference today that Bain may be off physically. Bain injured his shoulder (AC joint sprain) in the summer but was not on last week’s injury report.
Bain says the shoulder is not affecting his play, per Bowles. However, it sounded like Bowles is skeptical.
“I don’t think he’s completely healthy,” Bowles said of Bain. “But at the same time, he’s good enough to play. We’ve got to get more production there.”
As Joe wrote earlier, edge rusher David Walker stepped in for Bain early in the game and delivered a classic edge rush win and sack against the same tackle that gave Bain fits. Walker was granted only 9 snaps all game.
Enjoy the JoeBucsFan Show TONIGHT at 7 p.m. on WDAE radio, 95.7 FM and AM 620. Joe will talk all things Bucs after the sad Week 2 game against the Browns, presented by Pin Chasers.
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