Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Barrett Ruud is on the list of 200-plus players who would be unrestricted free agents in a normal year, but are restricted free agents in an uncapped year.
And like a number of other players on that list, he’s not thrilled about it.
“I’m not the only one going through this restricted label right now,” Ruud told the Tampa Tribune. “It’s frustrating, but it’s something I knew was going to happen.”
Last year, Ruud skipped voluntary workouts and organized team activities while he attempted to get the Bucs to give him a long-term deal. This year he seems to have resigned himself to the fact that he doesn’t have much leverage, and he says he’ll participate in the offseason program.
“I don’t regret at all what I did last year,” Ruud said. “This year, being a part of our OTA program is the best way to go about it.”
Ruud started all 16 games at middle linebacker last season and led the team with 142 tackles. The Bucs tendered him at the first- and third-round level.
“Ruud started all 16 games at middle linebacker last season and led the team with 142 tackles and 1 million missed tackles”
Wow, were the Bucs playing out of a 4-1 defense last year?
Ruud isn’t that bad at missed tackles. He actually missed the least amount of tackles out of all NFC South starting MLBs (Beason, Vilma, Lofton).
“Ruud started all 16 games at middle linebacker last season and led the team with 142 tackles and 1 million missed tackles and never made a tackle less than 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage”
I think the bucs should upgrade his position anyway the guy makes tackles, but their 2 yards behind him.
The bucs are so cheap it makes me sick. You cant win in this league if you never spend or make moves. This is one of the few guys on the team that deserves a paycheck and they should treat him with a little more respect.
I think he’s the only decent linebacker they’ve got.
He sounds like a very Derek Smith type of player, making a ton of tackles but after the play was already made….
Probably just mad to be stuck in Tampa for another year while they “rebuild”
agreed nyj… he may not be great but hes the best LB on the team and one of its best players
Sounds like he’s being quite Barrett. It’s actually flat out Ruud of him to not care about showing up to OTA’s. No wonder the Buzz suck. Sorry Mit.
Bucs82K2 says:
March 15, 2010 5:03 PM
Ruud isn’t that bad at missed tackles. He actually missed the least amount of tackles out of all NFC South starting MLBs (Beason, Vilma, Lofton).
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everything about Jon Beason>>>>>>>>>Ruud
end discussion
Blame your union rep. If he was more interested in serving his clients rather than making a name for himself, you could be making alot more cash this year.
Hey, it could be worse, you could be locked out and making nothing. Oh wait…..
Uncle Leo says: March 15, 2010 5:04 PM
“Ruud started all 16 games at middle linebacker last season and led the team with 142 tackles and 1 million missed tackles and never made a tackle less than 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage”
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Really moron?? If this were true he’d be Defensive Player of the Year. “Behind the line of scrimmage” is a term used to describe the offensive side of the line of scrimmage. “Past the Line of Scrimmage” would be the defensive side. Looks like you just missed tackling the English language.
Barrett can be down right ruud at times, but can you blame him?? His cheap ass owners wont open their wallets and get some actual ballplayers on the roster. Mit i wouldnt blame ya one bit if this team became dead to you…
Good for Ruud, maybe with him being there for OTAs he won’t be slightly better than average this season.
For those of you that think the Bucs have been “rebuilding” for years…. they went 9-7 two years ago… DUH! Bring some intelligent to say at the table next time, please!
And for the rest of you that think Ruud is the best LB the Bucs have, I guess you’ve never heard of Geno Hayes? The guy flashed some major potential last season and will only get better, the other LB, Quincy Black, is probably the most physically talented LB in the league.
ruud’s replacement is going to come in on the second round…ruud will mentor in 2010-11, and the rookie will take over next year…ruud will then be let go. Feel bad for the guy but he is a system LB, is only good on the cover 2 where LB are supposed to cover. If he had pop like mr derrirck brooks or hardy did, then he would have seen money. need to be more instinctive and hit those holes before the center or FB gets a hand on him.
Uncle Leo gimme some of what your smoking if Ruud made every tackle at least ten yards behind the line of scrimmage people (including myself) would bow at his feet and praise his every word, the Buc’s would win more than three games, and Ruud would be comming off a record breaking pro bowl year. and Ruud would be signed by some other team by now cuz the Buc’s wouldn’t match the offer!! LOL Keep drinking Leo you will get it some day.
ugh! Resign him already!!!!!!!!!
everything about Jon Beason>>>>>>>>>Ruud
end discussion
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Just pointing out that its absurd to act like Ruud is a bad tackler when he was the best in his division at it.
I find Him and His linbacker core “frustrating”.
Its not about what you did before, Do it in your contract year, and GET PAID if not by the stingy ass BUCS but theres some one out there for a hard nosed LB. i would love to see what he can do if we get a push up front. We’ll find out for sure AGAIN if not here “somewhere”.