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Lavonte David Wants to Take Rueben Bain Jr. Under His Wing
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- Lavonte David Wants to Take Rueben Bain Jr. Under His Wing
Rueben Bain Jr. is entering his first NFL season with plenty of people around him to help with the transition, but few understand what it means to play defense in Tampa Bay like Lavonte David . David retired this offseason after spending all 14 of his NFL seasons with the Buccaneers . Bain, meanwhile, was selected 15th overall in April's draft and is expected to become an important part of the team's pass rush immediately.
Although David will not get the opportunity to play alongside the rookie, he still wants to help Bain however he can. David has already developed a relationship with Bain that goes back years. Bain attended David's football camps as a kid, giving the former Buccaneers linebacker an opportunity to see him long before he became a first-round pick. Now David wants to use his experience to help Bain navigate his first season.
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After Tampa Bay selected Bain, David admitted he briefly wished he had waited another year before retiring. Bain had even told David that he wished the veteran had stayed around for one more season."Maybe I should've waited one more year," David said. "But I'm definitely going to be there to be supporting him and stuff like that." David spent 14 years learning how to prepare for NFL seasons, handle the expectations that come with playing in Tampa Bay and operate within Todd Bowles ' defensive system. Bain is now beginning his career under the same head coach and is expected to have a significant role on a defense that needs more consistent pressure off the edge.
The rookie has already impressed during training camp, with Bowles and Jason Licht repeatedly pointing to his work ethic, competitiveness and approach to the game. Tampa Bay selected Bain because it believed he could help change the dynamic of its pass rush. Having David available to offer advice gives Bain another resource outside the coaching staff and locker room. For David, it also gives him a chance to stay connected to the organization that defined his career while helping the next generation of Buccaneers defenders. Bain may have missed the opportunity to share a locker room with David, but he will still have one of the most respected players in franchise history available to help him learn the ropes.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Lavonte David Wants to Take Rueben Bain Jr. Under His Wing
