Barrett Ruud Fingers Youth For First Half Futility
November 8th, 2010
Many Bucs fans are unsettled by the Bucs defensive showing this season. The Bucs have demonstrated a disturbing pattern of not showing up in the first half of games.
Joe documented that the Bucs defense is playing worse in the first half than last year’s heinous Jim Bates Experiment, as disturbing as that is to believe.
This was a subject of discussion with former Bucs Anthony Becht and Ryan Nece, who host a weekly Monday morning show on WHBO-AM 1040 when they welcomed Bucs linebacker Barrett Ruud today.
Nece claimed Michael Spurlock told him that, in short, some of the rookies seem to think they are still in college when it comes to preparation, that the week of film study and working out in the week preceding an NFL game is a different animal than the week leading up to a college game, and the rookies are still learning.
Ruud did not disagree, in answering Nece.
“When we arrived here, it was a veteran defense,” Ruud said. “I think the young guys need to have more of a General-type of mentality.”
What Ruud meant in saying “General” was a military-like focus. His statement seems dead-on.
What is the difference between the rookie defensive players and the rookie offensive players? The day of the draft this past April, Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn received a phone call from Josh Freeman, who told the wide receiver duo, in short, get your arse to Tampa and start working now.
Did we or have we heard or read anything similar about the rookie defensive tackles or for that matter, Roy Miller, and a Bucs defensive starter?
If you have, feel free to fill in Joe.
Ruud’s reference to veteran players struck a chord with Joe. Now Warren Sapp was gone by the time Ruud showed up but when Sapp was around there was no question who was the leader. Say what you will about Sapp’s boorish behavior, but if teammates did not put in their hours of preparation, Sapp made sure the world knew it.
In the fantastic NFL Network presentation of “America’s Game,” a significant portion of the Bucs feature flashed a spotlight on Sapp’s clashing with Meshawn Johnson. Sapp was morally outraged that Meshawn would not work out with the Bucs in the offseason. To this day that still irritates Sapp.
Sure, the Bucs have veterans like Ruud and Ronde Barber that could have showed the rookies and youngsters what being an NFL player is. That usually takes a vocal leader; both Ruud and Barber have many times confessed that’s not their personalities. If the youngsters ask Ruud and Barber for help, they gladly assist. But neither are the type that will grab a teammate by the facemask and forcefeed youngsters into the rigors of NFL life like Sapp did, and Freeman does.
Joe hopes that after the CBA is signed, Mark Dominik can sign a free agent defender (preferable a linebacker or defensive end) who is more of an in-your-face, workout warrior who will grab his teammates by the jersey and show them, force them to learn what it means to be an NFL defensive player.
And if needed, give them a swift kick in the rear end.
November 8th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Hardy Nickerson comes to mind.
He signed as free agent and was here to mentor all the new defensive draft picks that eventually turned into superstars.
If they want to build this team like they built the old Bucs team of Sapp, Lynch,Brooks etc then they need a Hardy Nickerson.
November 8th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
I loved Sapp.
OTOH…i dont love our D. Why do they wait until the 4th quarter to show up? If at all! Is it coaching? Is it the players?
November 8th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Ruud has confessed that being a vocal leader is not a part of his personality…maybe he should confess that stopping running backs before the reach the first down marker is not a part of his personality.
November 8th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Man this post makes alot of sense Joe, i really hope Dominick reads this stuff. But I guess if they didnt already know we are missing this type of leader we are in bigger trouble than we thought.
November 8th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Thanks Gary!
November 8th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
If that’s not the pot calling the kettle black! If I were one of the rookies I’d tell Ruud to grow a set of balls and stop running away from contact. The guy gets beat up and down the field like a little bitch and blames youth for the team sucking against the run. THE GUY RUNS FROM CONTACT!!! Why would he even consider throwing anyone else under the bus. These D lineman might be struggling, but I see them pounding and busting their ass every play. Geno Hayes gets pushed, but he also pushes back and makes plays in the backfield. If I were Ruud I’d would be more worried about whether I have a job next year. Not many teams run the Tampa2 anymore and he is way to weak and small to even be considered in a 3-4 defense.
November 8th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
that headline is terrible….
November 8th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Man, this post makes alot of sense ! Hovan was physically done- toast. But we could have used his experience with the rookies! Sims is NOT that guy. I think the rookies are trying, but don’t realize the difference. They could use a veteran to get them headed the right way. Good thing is, bucs plan to go get those guys this off season. The team is ready to contend in the next year or so- time to fill in the blanks! A great vet will be a priority!
November 8th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
So the rookies not having a military-like approach that is necessary for proper preparation falls soely on the rookie who was in college 6 month ago.
The coach needs to require proper prep or replace the rookie/young player.
Ruud is not the problem with the run D. The tackles are HORRIBLE and lose gap intregrity because they are getting mauled by o lineman. That will never improve until these kids mature are replaced. That is why we were saying, these rooks will not improve the run d and they havent.
November 8th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
D-Money,
It’s funny that you mention Hardy Nickerson because I was just talking about the growth of the old defense and how Broooks and Sapp were led by the all world Nickerson who probably masked a lot of mistakes by the youth of those days. Ruud knows what it takes but yet he is not willing to sacrifice his body to do it. He is not true to the game and the game will not be true to him. He is a SLB at best and I suspect he knows his days are numbered so hes trying to preserve his frame for FA. It’s coward and he’s gonna find out that he’s not a commodity. I would love for the Bucs to get a veteran and draft great to keep the youth movement. We will be a contender next year if this defense turns it around.
November 8th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
i think barrett ruud needs to take a long hard look in the mirror. if he’s not going to be vocal leader on the field then he damn sure shouldnt be in the press either. keep you’re finger pointing thoughts to yourself barrett, you’re a lame duck anyway.
November 8th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
I agree that Barrett Ruud needs to take a long hard look in the mirror. He’s been close to horrible when it comes to the running game. I truly believe he’s a big reason why we consistently struggle against the run. And if there’s a problem with the rooks….tell them. You don’t have to be a big vocal leader. Go up to them like a man and tell them. Stop being soft….both on the field and off.
November 8th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Part of this problem lies in the current Defensive Coordinator.
Yeah Raheem is overwhelmed as HC and DC. I for one want to see Dominik bring in someone to assist Raheem on the DC aspect, someone who will ‘babysit’ these guys so that they get a work ethic – unlike Greg White’s attitude.
I’ll nominate Steve White to get these kids in the film room on Mondays and to have Steve practice their Gaps, rushes, etc.,
Anyone second that nomination?
November 8th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
This defense sucks worse than last years BRILLIANT plan. It just wasn’t executed properly.
November 8th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
thank goodness everyone is concentrating on the defense THIS year!
November 8th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
You are welcome Mr. Lucky!
November 8th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
If only we had traded up a spot to get Suh…
November 8th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Suh Has Good “Vets” around him he does not have to do it all himself makes it a bit easier for him to shine, we on the other hand have a few “vets ” and those we do have are of the “silent’ Leader type… Hell with all that we need a LOUD AND PROUD Defensive player to come in and lead! Not softly say something to the rookies only when they ask you, types we have now…. We now have the base time to sprinkle in some “Vets” to add to our group.
November 8th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Winner, winner chicken dinner.
November 8th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
no Joe dinner tonight was garlic herb roasted Pork Roast.. chicken is good but not like Pork Roast:)