Barrett Ruud: Not Over Til It’s Over
July 27th, 2011
Yesterday, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik sure didn’t try to quell the questions — or prevent people from dancing on Barrett Ruud’s grave — about whether the four-year starting middle linebacker who has led the Bucs in tackles would not be re-signed by the club.
While Dominik did not deny — nor confirm — Ruud is history with the Bucs, Ruud himself wasn’t ready to turn the page on his personal NFL chapter in Tampa Bay, so he told Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
Ruud, 28, started at middle linebacker for the Bucs for the past four seasons and, despite Dominik’s comments, wasn’t ready to say his tenure in Tampa Bay was coming to an end.
“I really hate to say that the door is shut until it’s all said and done,” Ruud said by telephone. “I really don’t know how this thing is going to go. It’s a lot like the draft all over again. I’m just waiting to see what happens.”
Ruud did not describe any of the conversations he and his agent have had with the Bucs, but after what he’s been through the past three years, said he was not surprised by the team’s stance.
Joe almost wonders if Dominik is playing a firm game of chicken with Ruud: If you want to stay in Tampa Bay, you will sign under my demands.
Joe has written before that turning the defense over to a rookie linebacker — who was an outside linebacker in college no less — and who will have a grand total five weeks of preparation before opening week, is dangerous bordering on reckless.
But Joe has learned to trust Dominik, no matter how unorthodox or seemingly irresponsible some of his moves may be on face value, Dominik has proven to be a step ahead of everyone else in the past 18 months or so.
If Foster is indeed the starter at middle linebacker and calls the defense and the Bucs prove to have a top-15 defense, Joe will right now say that Raheem Morris should be bestowed with the 2011 NFL coach of the year honors.
July 27th, 2011 at 8:17 am
The only good thing here, is that we have learned we can trust Mark Dominick. Other than that, this is a bad situation for a playoff hopeful team to be in. I’ve thought all along we’d lose Ruud, but the option can’t be to start a Rookie( Who I like!!) -outta position, and without adequate training time! That looks more like getting caught with yer pants down! And I think Dominick and Raheem are way smarter than that. I think they expected to lose Barrett. Just wanna see what their “recovery plan” may be.
July 27th, 2011 at 8:18 am
Sounds like Ruud’s phone isn’t ringing like he thought it might be. Could be a Ruud awakening and a humbling experience. Better get in the weight room if you want to start in Tampa Bay. The youngsters are gunnin for ya.
“Wow, I don’t understand, Baldy said I was the #4 free agent.”
July 27th, 2011 at 8:19 am
If the Bucs don’t re-sign Ruud, look for Tyrone McKenzie to start at the Mike. The guy’s college stats compare similarly to Fosters, plus he has 2 year experience (admittedly non-starting) in the NFL. Plus, he appeared to step up during the lock out as one of the leaders on the defense, trying to organize workouts and meetings.
I really like the idea of the Bucs starting 3 for 2012 to be McKenzie at the Mike, Dekota Watson at the Sam, and Foster at the Will (which is what he played primarily his senior and most successful seaso).
July 27th, 2011 at 8:26 am
I think the whole thing comes down to contract years. We probably want to offer a two year deal and Ruud wants a five year deal. Obviously, the Bucs don’t see Ruud as the longterm solution at this point.
July 27th, 2011 at 8:31 am
I agree with Joe. I thought the Bucs had a shot at making the playoffs this year but they won’t with a rookie MLB or a guy with no starting experience especially since said inexperienced replacement MLB’s didn’t have OTA or mini-camp work. I hope I’m wrong. Maybe you all can convince me otherwise.
July 27th, 2011 at 8:39 am
You remember how you felt when Brooks, Dunn, and other fan faves were unceremoniously let go. What you were feeling were the winds of change, and it was unsettling. It’s not over yet, the rebuilding is not finished. Dominik refers to it as the blueprint – there’s a new paradigm and it doesn’t look like what we’re accustomed to. Morris and Dominik won 10 games last year with a bunch of dead-end kids that literally had never seen the field before. They are confident and convinced that they’re on to something. At this point, the Bucs have signed 6 UFAs, two of which are Nick Reviez/UTenn and Derrell Smith/Syracuse, both ILBs. Nick is 5-9 and the son of kicker Faud Reviez. I first said, What? After I read further, I found out that they’re both team captains with enviable records at the LB position. Am I nervous starting a rookie in the middle – you bet. But these guys have a plan that they believe in and they’re going to execute it, and I’m going along for the ride with fingers crossed on both hands.
July 27th, 2011 at 8:46 am
I GOT A LETTER FROM THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS TO PLAY MLB!!!
…I haven’t had my Cup of Joe yet.
July 27th, 2011 at 8:59 am
This is merely a game of chicken. The bucs want Ruud at their price and term, obviously ruud wants much much more on both fronts.
How this ends will all depend on what the market offers. If Ruud gets a 4+ year 20+ million guaranteed deal from another team, he may be gone. I believe that the bucs would offer him 3 years and 18 million with 10 to 14 guaranteed. The market will probably beat that.
Look for Barrett to get a 4 year 25-30 million deal with 15-18 guaranteed from some team.
July 27th, 2011 at 9:05 am
Reckless is giving the job back, and money to a guy that has proven during the past 2 1/4 seasons that he can’t do the job.
Mason Foster is NOT an athletic upgrade over Ruud, people expecting Foster to be more athletic than Ruud will have a rude awakening because these two are athletic parallels… but Foster has a good shot at being better simply because he ISN’T Ruud… meaning he might be better simply by accident.
July 27th, 2011 at 9:46 am
vindicated
July 27th, 2011 at 10:45 am
I would be willing to bet, that Rudd will be back with a 2 or 3 year offer, for OK money.
Not sure any other team would find more value in him than the Bucs. I trust the coaches and front office on this one.
July 27th, 2011 at 11:59 am
A lot IF’s, still. If salt water and palm trees, were beer and wings, we’d all be happy!
Might be a long year on defense, but I sure hope it works out!
July 27th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
I just cant believe the phone is not burning up after all the pros ,experts,and players were saying about him.Im sure he will be a top paid linebacker because those guys are always right,never mind what we saw on film.Like the the Eagles said I guess we had lying eyes.
July 27th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Hearing Ruuuuuuud is one of the most annoying things in sports.
Goodbye Barrett Ruud.
Lets take a step back, and then move two forward. Start McKenzie in the middle and put up with the growing pains.
July 28th, 2011 at 9:04 am
I don’t see any team in Amerika offering him anything. Stats mean little unless you have film to back it up. Ruud’s agent is raising on a busted flush. Canada is calling.
July 28th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Everyone is waiting for Friday then iot will be a race to sign the best midlinesafteybacker in the league hes great,he does everything right he is getting sought after just like that cornerback that everyone said we would sign.