Is Ruud ready?

In Sunday's paper, we're going to be debating the preparedness of (now) starting middle linebacker Barrett Ruud to take on the job full time.

Most of last season's starters are either back or have been replaced by perceived upgrades, but Ruud is perhaps a guy who still has to prove he deserves the job. It's not that he hasn't done well in his limited playing time, it's just that the playing time was limited.

So, now, with Shelton Quarles apparently headed for retirement, we'll get a big dose of Ruud. And we should know pretty quickly whether he's up to the task.

In the meantime, tell us what you think about the third-year player from Nebraska and whether you feel confident about him manning the middle.

Comments

[Jason]

I have been wondering the same thing ever since I heard Quarles was in question. Barrett has done pretty well in his limited backup role, but this is a little different. Being the starting middle linebacker in the Tampa two is as important as the under tackle position. He stops the run and covers the middle, and contains the QB.
Barrett seems to be quick on his feet and an ok tackler. Sometimes I think he going for the big hit in stead of just rapping up the ball carrier. My biggest concern about Barrett Ruud is his size. He just doesn't look thick enough to play the middle, and take that pounding.
Ya know who I really miss is Hardy Nickerson.
Maybe if Ruud put on twenty pound of muscle and studied all the old Hardy Har-Har Nickerson film.
Maybe, just maybe he could make the 100 some odd tackles that that position requirers.
The good news is Monte's on case and I believe he will find a solution, whatever that is.

[Gene]

I'm on the fence about how he will do, but I like the aggression he seems to play with. I think his role will be different than we are used to seeing from the MLB spot in the past. It's obviously an important position, but I would expect it to change a little this year. I imagine June and Brooks will be the two linebackers on the field in nickel situations. That means Ruud will see half as many snaps as Quarles used to.

[Keith]

Everyone has questions about when some one new starts. We asked the same about Quarles and others when they became pemanent starters. Just wait and see. If history repeats itself the Buc's D will always be our driving force.

[James]

What? This isn't gonna be an issue,.. you can bet that there will be several canidates for the Mike Linebacker position and the best person for the job will be playing, Quincy Black could push for the middle and Winborn is even big enough for the role, at the end of the day there is enough talent in the pool that someone will rise up.
Rudd is plenty big for the middle he looks lanky but lists at or around 250,.. plenty big.

[Keepforumsgoing]

Why is the times stopping the forums? So, we can post here? You have to be kidding if you think people are going to do it.

[RememberRickyBell]

The underestimated factor in losing Quarles is his speed. He and his predecessor, Jamie Duncan, were very fast. June was a good addition to this end, but our defense needs speed.

I think Ruud will be solid, but I'm not sure he can fill the void left by Quarles. In my opinion, Ruud is more like Hardy, built for shedding blocks and laying the lumber more than coverage and zone blitzing. Even Agent Orange (our old nickname for Hardy) would not have done as well in this scheme.

Derrick Brooks will be fast until the day he retires, but still we need more speed. I'm not sure if Ruud can help us in that regard. However, should Kiffin ditch the Cover 2 for the Buddy Ryan 4-6, then he's the guy.

[sean marshall]

I think Rudd will be great for the bucs. I am an huge nebraksa fan and I have been watching him ever since he started at the middle as a true freshman, to the guy who said he is an "ok takler" I think you are wrong because he holds the record for most tackles in a carrer at nebraska, and there have been many great players to come out of nebraska defense, so I think he will be great. Maybe not as fast as some of the great men before him, but only time will tell, I mean quarles did play in the canadian football leauge before he became what he is today.