Brooks Fingers Bucs’ Flimsy Commitment
February 4th, 2010
Almost one year after Derrick Brooks’ abrupt ousting from the Bucs, No. 55 has now fired what appears to be his first major shot at the organization.
Stephen Holder, of the St. Pete Times, caught up with Brooks yesterday. And Brooks questioned the commitment of the franchise to building a winner when compared to the way Team Glazer did things a dozen years ago. One of Brooks’ prime examples was Barrett Ruud’s contract situation.
“I was asked what’s the difference now where the Bucs are (compared to) when you go back 12 years when I was young,” Brooks said. “I said this: The difference is the commitment in terms of where is the franchise going?
“All the coaches are obviously on one-year deals and the economics of the game of the game (a potential 2011 lockout) forced that hand. But as a franchise, they don’t have a core group of guys who are beyond three or four years. When I was young, they had that. This year, I don’t see that. The guy that was told to be the leader of the defense (linebacker Barrett Ruud), no one showed him any long-term commitment (Ruud’s contract expires this month). How can he really embrace that role? It was hard for Barrett to do that. I fielded a lot of phone calls from guys on the team this year because they missed that presence. You can’t force that. . . Leaders kind of evolve from situations that are not manufactured. I did the best I could just being me, being positive to help the guys through.”
Joe completely gets what Brooks is saying, although Joe’s not buying that Ruud couldn’t be a strong leader — or shed a block, or make tackles in the backfield — without a fat, guranteed contract.
Reading between the lines throughout the interview it’s pretty clear while Brooks like Raheem The Dream, Brooks doesn’t believe the Bucs as a whole are moving in the right direction.
February 4th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Hey Joe- Nice interview with Bryant, but I have yet to be rocked!
February 4th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
WAAAAaaaaaaaaaa! I think he is a little bitter!
February 4th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Real world just setting in for him ? No one wants me, playing days over so I will just be bitter!! Get on with your life works, whatver that is.
February 4th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Jerrjenn2:
Maybe this will help?
https://www.joebucsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/rachel_watson-05081.jpg
February 4th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
John, Buckebob,
If anyone has the right to judge or critisize this team its #55. Call him bitter if you want but he gave everything he had to this team.
He was asked a question and he answered it honestly just like he has always done. Everyone complains on this site everyday about the very same issues and now here’s a guy whose voice may actually carry some weight saying the same thing and he’s being bitter.
I don’t think it’s very earth shattering to say that this team lacks veteran leadership.
February 4th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Brooks is right!
Back when Brooks was drafted, the Bucs had some veteran leadship. The purge of veterans last year left a void in the current team. Ruud wasn’t ready to take a leadership role and he may never be cut out for that type of role.
I don’t have a problem with a youth movement, but you’ve got to have some established veteran leaders to bring the young guys along. Those same veterans are the ones who knew how to win. IMHO, this team no longer knows how to win.
February 4th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
D-money,
You took the words right out of my mouth.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
AND TO PIGGY BACK ON WHAT D-MONEY SAID….. ITS NOT BEING BITTER IF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS RIGHT!!!! WHEN BROOKS GOT DRAFTED WE HAD NICKERSON TO MENTOR HIM AND BE THAT LEADER. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE FORGET THAT RUUD IS A FAIRLY YOUNG PLAYER EVEN THOUGH HE WAS DRAFTED IN 1995 HE DIDN’T START UNTIL 2007. IF THEY WANT RUUD TO BE THAT LEADER LONG TERM THEN SHOW HIM THE CONTRACT THAT IS GOING TO KEEP HIM HERE LONG TERM!!!
February 4th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Brooks makes a strong point that should not be overlooked. If you view all the weak teams in the league, each is missing a core of solid leaders. The Bucs have backed their way into this position. The fans think that landing a great free agent or drafting the next Brooks is the key to our future. But if the Bucs continue this path, they will simply bring in the next Keyshawn Johnson or Michael Pitmann; players that have skills, but do not establish leadership.
They could reward their core with contracts and start building from there. But to continue running the team where you ask everyone to be longterm leaders, but their financial structures say “temp” ain’t gonna work.
I’m with Double Nickel on this one.
Jon
February 4th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Nothing new here. 55 is speaking the truth as we all know it.