The first five games of the season have not gone according to plan for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or their first-round draft pick, Rueben Bain Jr.

The Bucs, who were overwhelming favorites to recapture the NFC South and get back to the playoffs after last season's disastrous collapse, dropped their first four games before breathing a bit of life into their season with an upset of the Dallas Cowboys.

Bain became the most hyped and anticipated Bucs rookie in years after a dominant offseason that earned him nearly every accolade a rookie can receive.

Before he had ever played his first snap, the edge rusher from Miami earned comparisons to an NFL legend and became the early favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

It looked like Bain would find immediate success in the NFL, and everyone was on the edge of their seat waiting for his debut.

Then his debut happened, and it fell flat. Against the Cincinnati Bengals, the star rookie managed only one tackle and couldn't put any pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow. 

The following week against the Cleveland Browns, Bain was invisible once again, and many people began to worry that pre-draft concerns over his arm length may have been true after all.

It turns out Bain was playing at much less than full health and would miss Tampa's next two games with shoulder and groin injuries. 

Bain returned for the Bucs’ win over the Cowboys. He played better but is still searching for his first sack and has only three total tackles. His PFF grade of 49.1 ranks 100th among 106 qualified edge rushers. Bain has only been credited with two pressures this season. 

Through it all, Bain hadn’t spoke to the media. 

Until Friday, when he spoke to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. 

Bain talked about remaining patient despite the disappointing start to his career. The rookie believes he is progressing, which he calls "the main thing."

"I'm feeling good. It's a week-by-week thing. But, you know, as long as I'm progressing, that's the main thing."

Stroud called Bain's play "twitchier" against Dallas, and credits Bain with helping force both of Dak Prescott's interceptions.

For his part, Bain was happy to be back on the field, and was happy to help his team finally get its first win of the season.

"Oh, it was good. First, just getting a team win," Bain said. "It was something we needed to get over the hump so we can start getting on a roll with the right mindset so we can go out and play fast. Secondly, it felt good to be back on the grass. Feeling comfortable. Feeling like myself again and just playing with the team and having a good time."

It was nice to finally hear Bain speak, and good to hear he is staying positive despite the slow start.

The piece by Stroud is well worth the read and shows that both Bain and head coach Todd Bowles see the Dallas game as a step forward for the rookie.

Bain gets his next chance to take another step forward and hopefully register his first sack when the Bucs take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.