For Bain, the arm length debate has been disconcerting, especially after a decorated college career in which he had 33.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 38 career games (36 starts).
“I didn’t hear it until later in the year, but it was a bit of a surprise because I never heard it in my whole life,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “I don’t give him the time of day, to be honest.”
Asked about Bain on Tuesday, new Titans head coach Robert Saleh had mostly glowing things to say about the pass rush, adding that some adjustments may be needed — perhaps a hint at the arm’s-length debate.
“(Bain’s) involvement is indisputable,” Saleh said at his press conference. “His football IQ is off the charts. There are certain things he has to adjust to, but he’s a guy who should be very successful in the league.”
Bain said Wednesday that he would love to work again with former Miami teammate and current Titans QB Cam Ward. Earlier this month, Titans defensive end Jeffery Simmons pushed for the team to draft Bain, and while he says he’s not focused on going as high as he can, Bain said going to the Titans was a “hell of a chance.”
The Titans will pick fourth overall in the draft, and Bain believes his formal meeting this week with the Titans went great.
“Hopefully everything works out the right way,” Bain said. “Communication with them was great … we killed at one end, just went with the right mindset.”
Asked what made this meeting particularly great, Bain said, “I felt like it was my energy. My energy, my football IQ. I came in knowing what to talk about and what to say.”
Knowing football like the back of my hand, knowing football like my last name. Just go out there and connect really well because we all talk about balls.”
Especially when the conversation isn’t about arm’s length.