Quarles to be cut

The Bucs are preparing to cut ties with longtime middle linebacker Shelton Quarles.

General manager Bruce Allen said today the team will release the 10-year veteran, officially for a failed physical. But, Allen added, the decision involved multiple factors, likely including Quarles' age (35). Allen would not discuss the factors other than Quarles' health.

Quarles has been in talks with the team for weeks but was told explicitly in a recent meeting with Allen that the team had made its decision.

It does not appear to be a mutual parting of ways. Quarles has maintained for weeks that he wishes to and believes he is capable of playing this season. He also added recently that the decision would not be made by him.

The move means third-year player Barrett Ruud shoots to the top of the depth chart.

Quarles was not immediately available for comment, but he will be remembered as one of the most tenaicious players in team history. He ranks third in franchise history in tackles with 985, including five consecutive seasons with more than 100.

Physically, Quarles has battled numerous injuries in the past couple years, though they rarely prevented him from playing. He has been hampered by a hip injury and has even admitted to a number of past concussions, but it is believed that a longtime knee condition is the team's primary concern.

Comments

[Fred Augat]

Quarles will be missed. A great player and a great part of our community. I just hope that he was given the respect he has earned in the process of making this decision. I also hope that he will remain involved in some manner with the team and even more importantly the community.

[david]

Shelton, you will be missed buddy! Thank you for your years of great football excitement and hard work. You were one of the best, period. The Tampa fans thank you. You were part of one of the greatest defenses that the NFL will ever know.
Farewell friend.

[Jim]

Thank you to the silent Buccaneer; Shelton will always be "our man from Vandy" in our hearts and minds. Hope you keep Tampa as your home. Good luck to the Quarles family.

[mikey]

Dear Shelton,

I hope you have learned your lesson that hard work and dedication only pays off when you are working with "honerable" men. You can join the John Lynch's of the world and go someplace and make pro bowl again and then take the "high road" and not complain about the screwing you got in Tampa Bay.

[Husker Nation]

Nebraska Cornhuskers are pleased to hear Barrett Ruud is finally getting his shot. Too bad it had to come at Quarles' expense.

[Jim]

Thank You Mr. Quarles. #53 will be missed in Tampa.

[Tony]

Thanks Shelton, but it is time for you to move on or retire, if not, those that want to critisize the Bucs for the aging Defense will have more ammo, while at the same time they will be critical of HOW you were let go. No one really wins when a player reaches your age and experience. Good luck in life!

[Mildred Houghbaugh]

He shant be missed. These guys are hired muscle, nothing more. His time is done as he is no longer useful. How many useless players can this team keep to make the dumber fans happy? Alstot is enough, this is not a retirement gathering, its a football team!

[Brian]

The NFL is a business. If there wasn't a salary cap or limited roster space, the Bucs would keep guys like Shelton Quarles or John Lynch forever.

All Bucs fans will miss a class act like Quarles, but management is making the right move. Ruud should step in and do a great job. I'm sure we'll be adding some good, young players for our defense in the draft this weekend as well.

[Jock Dion]

Shelton will be missed. He played as good or better than Brooks for a few years. Unfortunately we all get old. Simeon Rice, Kevin Carter, and Brooks will probably be gone after next year, so the Bucs really need to concentrate on defense in the draft (AFTER they draft Calvin Johnnson or Joe Thomas)

[Tampa Phin]

Shelton: they is always room for you on the east coast...you could be a great fit to help us...we will take you...or you could become a coach for USF...either way....stay close man...you are a class act and a great talent.....the state has earned the right to keep you

[Tampa Phin]

Shelton: they is always room for you on the east coast...you could be a great fit to help us...we will take you...or you could become a coach for USF...either way....stay close man...you are a class act and a great talent.....the state has earned the right to keep you

[Paul]

Mildred Houghbaugh said "He shant be missed. These guys are hired muscle, nothing more. His time is done as he is no longer useful. How many useless players can this team keep to make the dumber fans happy? Alstot is enough, this is not a retirement gathering, its a football team!"

Uh, Mildred. "Dumber fans"?
You can't even spell Mike Alstott's name correctly. Consider this next time you want to make a fool of yourself.

Thanks for everything, Mr. Quarles.

[John]

To TONY and MILDRED. Here's to hoping you pour your whole life into a job, sacrifice year 'round, NO MATTER THE SALARY, and then get told you are no longer useful...please leave.
THERE'S A WAY TO GO ABOUT DEALING WITH PEOPLE AND GRUDEN AND ALLEN DID NOT LEARN THEIR LESSON WITH LYNCH AND SAPP!

[John]

To TONY and MILDRED. Here's to hoping you pour your whole life into a job, sacrifice year 'round, NO MATTER THE SALARY, and then get told you are no longer useful...please leave.
THERE'S A WAY TO GO ABOUT DEALING WITH PEOPLE AND GRUDEN AND ALLEN DID NOT LEARN THEIR LESSON WITH LYNCH AND SAPP!

[Jason]

The way some of you talk, he should be starting for the Bucs for the next 10 years. Best of luck to you Sheldon. People, its a business, and this team move is another chance for the Gruden/Allen bashers to run their mouth again. Be a fan of the team, not the players! Players come and go.

[Katrina]

That's ok Shelton, do like John Lynch, Warrick Dunn, Dexter Jackson and many others....go to another team and reap your rewards. You are a class act and you don't need to be associated with Allen and Gruden. It is truly their loss!!!! I can't wait to see you playing for another team and doing it well.

[Jason]

Katrina:

Dexter Jackson left the first time as he wanted to cash in on his Super Bowl MVP. He CAME back too. SO you have no point there.

Warrick Dunn left in FA. So whats your point? What has his reward been? And he left when Allen wasnt even the General Manager. Great point!

John Lynch was great here, but failed the team physical, so they went with his backup at the time, Phillips. So he has worked out in Denver, I am happy for him, and you blame Gruden for this?

[Lum]

I became an avid Bucs fan when I worked for the "Bank of the Buccaneers" before leaving St. Pete this year. Shelton Quarles was [is] a great football player, as well as a charming and caring individual. He was especially good with kids at events we threw for them at RJ Stadium, and I want him to know how much I have admired his personal grace and talent. He is committed to the Tampa Bay community. I only hope that this decision has saved him from eduring more physical injury. Life's short, and his is very meaningful to the many people in the Bay area whose lives he's touched.

[Katrina]

Jason, my point is that Shelton WILL succeed with another team. The whole Bucs organization lacks loyalty. Remember Doug Williams? Oh, and I also forgot to mention Joe Jurevicius. The Bucs are known for dogging the players who have given them the most, while rewarding the non-producers. I hated the way they kicked John Lynch to the curb and I'm hating what they are doing to Shelton. But, that's ok.....I predict that Shelton will be wearing a Super-Bowl ring come this time next year. And he's got so much class, he won't even rub in their faces. So say what you want, the Bucs have made a HUGE mistake!!!!!!!

[Dirk]

Shelton was great, and still probably
has alittle left in the tank, But, Ruud
is a ballhawking machine, he's Nebraska's
all-time tackle leader, and he has waited
his due time. The move had to be made, and they made the right move! This guy
should post double digit tackles every
week.

[Dirk]

Shelton was great, and still probably
has alittle left in the tank, But, Ruud
is a ballhawking machine, he's Nebraska's
all-time tackle leader, and he has waited
his due time. The move had to be made, and they made the right move! This guy
should post double digit tackles every
week.