Franchising Ruud Makes Little Sense
June 25th, 2011
Raise your hand if you think the Bucs are building to win a Super Bowl this season.
Joe’s guessing not a lot of hands went up.
Perhaps that attitude could change based on how aggressively the Bucs attack free agency, but with two rookie defensive ends and Gerald McCoy and Brian Price coming off major injuries, it’s a safe bet the Bucs realize 2012 is more likely their year when it comes to Super Bowl aspirations and roster-building.
Of course, Joe and every other fan will be filled with optimism once the asinine lockout is lifted, but that’s not the point here.
Yesterday evening, Joe nearly drove off US Hwy. 19 listening to NFL draft guru and noted Barrett Ruud critic Justin “Commish” Pawlowski on WDAE-AM 620. The Commish was on board with the idea of the Bucs making Ruud their franchise player in 2011, assuming the asinine lockout ends and teams are given a shot to tag a franchise player before free agency begins.
Here’s The Commish’s logic on franchising Ruud:
1) Either Mason Foster or Tyrone McKenzie is unlikely to be ready to fill Ruud’s shoes, especially with a shortened offseason. Plus there’s no guarantee Adam Hayward re-signs.
2) Ruud can mentor the young linebackers and the Bucs would only have to pay him about half the $20 million guaranteed he’s probably seeking with a long term deal.
3) The Bucs, under a new labor agreement, are likely to have to spend major cash to reach a salary cap floor in 2011. Franchising Ruud helps them get there and frees up the money in 2012.
All sound points, however Joe’s just not on the bandwagon. If the Bucs think durable, 28-year-old Ruud is their guy after watching him play for six years — Raheem’s quarterback of the defense — then they should offer him a long term deal they think he’s worth and get it over with.
If not, they should let him walk and let the young guys McKenzie and Foster slug it out. And may the most violent, heady player win and the get the experience in 2011.
In Joe’s mind, franchising Ruud would just be a weak play that might not have a happy ending. First, if Ruud plays pretty well, then what? The Bucs will be stuck paying him more money in 2012 in a year they might really want the cap room, or be forced to let him walk.
Second, Ruud might be bitter as hell if he knows the Giants or some other team would have offered him double the guaranteed money.
Third, for those who think Ruud is softer than a 38DD rack, that means more of the same in 2011.
Joe’s confident the Bucs know exactly what they want to do with Ruud. So Joe thinks they should just do it — even if it threatens to cause riots in the streets of Tampa.
June 25th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Tampa fans wouldn’t know how to riot even if Vancouver fans sat down with them and gave them step-by-step instructions. And they certainly aren’t qualified to be picking and choosing middle linebackers for an NFL franchise.
Now stop introducing flights of fancy into their heads and let them keep wandering the beer aisle at Publix at midday looking for more cheap swill to pour down their gullets.
June 25th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
After reading this I feel pretty refreshed about the Ruud situation, albeit ignorantly so as I’ve never seen McKenzie or Foster take a snap in the NFL.
I’m pretty warm to the idea of signing Ruud to a 4-5 year contract for a few million bucks. He’s consistent, which is worth money. Is it Black or Hayes that’s a FA this year? Whichever, neither has shown consistency so it’s my bet they’ll walk if they don’t agree to a low-dollar contract.
And with so much talent filling the front 7, our corner situation doesn’t look so dire at all.
June 25th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
That would re retarded to bring back Ruud on the franchise tag. Seriously, if we do that and someone like NYG or DET offered him a long term deal with big guaranteed money(don’t let the door hit you on the rear) and we tagged him, what in the holy heck makes you think that Ruud would do anything to help Foster or McKenzie improve. Basically it would be like my boss telling me to train someone younger, faster, stronger, and basically better at everything to do my job. Ruud knows the only leverage he has is that he is the only one that called this defense for the last couple years. You guys are blind if you think that Ruud is going to nurture and montor the guys that we want to take his place.
June 25th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Sign Rudd. If Foster is all that and a bag of chips then play him outside in a 4-3 and move him inside when we play in a 3-4 set up…which we will see more of this season. Let Rudd be solid, tie up blockers and get everyone in situations to make plays. If we do play more 3-4 this year we are going to need both. Regardless we are better with Rudd than without.
June 25th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Good post Irwin! I see exactly what you mean though, no way that Ruud is going to really be concerned with teaching the ropes to McKenzie and Foster when knowing the ropes is the only reason Ruud might still have a job with us. I want someone that gets players pumped, that the guys want to follow. Mason Foster, please lay to rest the whole resign or not to resign Ruud. I’ve never seen our defense actually jacked up hyped to go out and dominate (behind Ruud), the time for a culture change is NOW! We finally are building an offense that isn’t just a keep us in the game type of offense, now we need a Freeman of the defense. Ruud you do not count, you are below average skills in my opinion.
June 25th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Ruud doesn’t tie up blockers, blockers push him past the secondary. If that isn’t the case they pancake him, and the blockers get to our secondary. This is why our run defense has been miserable for the past two and a three quarters seasons. Ruud is a scrub, let the young guys slug it out in camp. Look what happened when we let Blount play for Ward, Mike Williams and Rejus Benn for Antonio Bryant and Mo Stovall. Bottom line is Dom and Rah’s people, have done far superior jobs to Gruden/Allen’s guys. Ruud was from the old regime, we’ve almost got rid of all the old garbage, time to finish the job. I’m actually excited to see how our defense performs when Raheem has all guys that he picked for it, instead of plugging in squares into circular holes.
June 25th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
HFXBUC, try and remember what the Bucs did in the first two rounds of the last two drafts and then re-read what you just wrote. If Rah/Dom really drafted two DT’s and two DE’s only to run more 3 man front defenses then I will immediatly be jumping on the Thomas 2.2 train to run this coach and GM out of Tampa.
As for Ruud, if Dominik really thought Ruud was as good as what Morris, Brooks, Kirwan, White, Capt. Tim, and Thomas 2.2 seem to think he is he would have had a new contract two years ago. Morris can say whatever he wants to say but the bottom line is that Dominik is the brains and balls behind this operation and personnel moves come directly from him. I like Raheem as a motivator but my trust lies within Mark Dominik. Davin Joseph and Cadillac Williams will be his main focus when FA finally starts and Ruud will go on the back burner again just like the last two years. Dominik certainly won’t offer Ruud anything remotely high until other teams set the market price on him regardless of what the salary cap situation is.
June 25th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Didn’t Ruud already say he would consider taking a 1 year deal to resign, if thats what it took. The guy is way too good to get rid of. Yes he gets ran over on occassion but for the most part he does just fine and runs our Defense. Gotta resign this guy. Hopefully to a long contract!!!!
June 25th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
There is room gotbucs but I expect the bus to start filling quickly if the bucs start slow even with a possible loss to Detroit.
It would be idiotic not to resign Ruud. The tag move makes sense for the reasons stated by Justin and that it delays their decision about whether to commit to a long term deal and see if foster or tyrone can play.
June 25th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@derek
You speak of the Dline being weak. True, but when the dline does its job and hold up the line of scrimmage. It is the job of the LBer top plug the the hole. Not get taking for and 5 yard ride. Or he’s not suppose to do a Dion Sanders, let him run past him then jump in the play after the RB ran for 20 yards down the field. IF we keep Ruud, work him over by putting in the cage/ or suicides against Blount. Or suit up Mike Alstott as a special practice guest.
June 25th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
You’re right Irwin, putting the franchise tag on Ruud for one year smacks of the kind of thinking that have the owners and players locked in mortal combat today. Why would Barrett give 110%, possibly get injured, have the window of opportunity close just so the Bucs can train his replacement and put him on the street in 12 months? Why would the Bucs want to take advantage of a player that they’ve had a reasonably good relationship with up to this point? Lots of things have been said about Ruud lately, but the one thing that can’t be said is that he lacks intelligence. You’re asking this guy to collect 10 mil and sit on his helmet for a year waiting to get a real contract that will pay 30 or 40mil over 4 yrs. If the Bucs want the guy offer him a fair competitive contract – if he walks, then it’s next man up!
June 25th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Thomas,
In case you’ve missed some of my other posts; this is for you!
The Top 100 NFL players list just came out (Players Choice) and Ruud is nowhere to be found. This list of players was decided by current NFL Players! Guess what middle LB’s were on that list? Vilma & Beason! Just missing that list was Atlanta Falcon’s Curtis Lofton: 160 tackles 2 forced fumbles & he ranked third in rushing defense for LB’s. That makes Ruud last just in the NFC South in talent. Let’s at least agree on one thing! Everyone thinks he’s a solid player and a real solid guy. The problem is he’s the team Captain and Leader and that’s where the argument gets heated up. Team Captains should be Pro Bowl Calibre Players like a Brooks, Barber or Lynch. Not solid or average!
June 25th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
If Ruud can help put more wins on the board than Foster can, they will go with Ruud. The more wins the more money coming in.
June 25th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
pretty sure the franchise tag wont be available to teams this late in the year the usual deadline is february… and many teams DID use it this year, and it sounds like the NFLPA* wont be allowing any use of franchise tag POST-CBA deal, in other words no excuses for not using when they should have
June 25th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Bucjim,no one will answer that, only that everyone says that hes great,but what is he known for doing so well run stop,coverage,pass rushing?
June 25th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Seems like everyone has very different opinions as to what the Bucs should do with Ruud. I’m gonna say re-sign him. I’m a person who likes consistency and Ruud is not too good but he’s not bad either. He’s solid, and really, have we ever had a GREAT MLB in our history?
The biggest problem in my opinion is the D-line. If that alone can improve, a lot of our problems will be solved. It’ll make Ruud and the rest of our linebackers better.
June 25th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
I can’t believe that we are still arguing over a average football player.
June 25th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
I will laugh when Rah signs Ruud to a long term deal.
The Bucs Neeeeeed to spend to get up to the floor.
June 25th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Joe you know that I love your site and agree with you the majority of time but I can’t BELIEVE how badly you’ve missed the boat about Justin’s analysis of Ruud.
The ONLY way to keep Ruud is with either a long-term contract in which the Bucs would likely have to put out $15 million or more to compete with offers from other teams OR
Franchise tag which would cost less than a long-term deal.
Now to those who don’t understand why Ruud would help his replacements it’s simple: If the Bucs franchise Ruud it means they don’t want him long-term. Therefore, Ruud would use the 2011 season and play his arse off to show other teams that he is worthy of a BIG LONG TERM CONTRACT. In addition this gives the new rookies a chance to learn and get some OTJ experience.
Ruud is a good transition player and the least expensive way to retain his skills is to use the franchise tag – it only makes good BUSINESS sense.
From Ruud’s perspective he gets a single year payday and if the Bucs do well in 2011 he will have the ability to score an even BIGGER payday in the 2011 off-season. Personally I think it’s a win-win, unless the Bucs do crappy in 2011 (going 1-4) at which time Ruud will be shown the bench and the rookies put into the game. In that case Ruud will have NO bargining power next year…OUCH!
June 25th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
I hear you gotbbucs but they are big ends and penetrating tackles that offer scheme versatility. They start last year and will continue adding 3-4 to their d.
June 25th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
You want to make the league’s worst front 7, if possible, even worse – do not retain the best and only good player in that front 7.
What you sheep don’t understand is the concept of the bucs run defense. It is gap responsibility and not read and react. What does that mean? You can have all of the want to in the world but if you are out of position – there will be a HUGE gap to exploit.
The bucs run defense takes smarts and discipline. Why have the bucs never started a rookie MLB in the modern era? Examples: HArdy, Quarles (was a vet when he became the starter), Barrett etc – because it takes time to understand where you need to be.
The reason the bucs were so bad against the run (and pass) up front is that GMC and Miller and the OLB’s were constantly not able to maintain gap integrity leaving gaping holes. BArrett would flow to the football out of his gap and you IDIOTS would blast him for making a tackle 7 yards downfield that was due to GMC getting pushed out of his gap.
Foster or Tyrone may be able to handle the position, but UNDOUBTEDLY – not yet.
June 25th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Really Thomas, rookies can start any position in this league and be successful, just not the T-2 MLB?
June 25th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Well Thomas, you’re partly right – last year’s defense under Todd Walsh was read-and-react with an emphasis on maintaining gap responsibility. Thanks to Warren Sapp and the hiring of Millard and Stretz, the Bucs are going back to Rod Marinelli’s famous mantra of “stop the run on the way to the QB”. Wash’s philosophy was more about clogging the gap than penetration. He was big on lineman staying in their gaps instead of turning players loose to penetrate the gap and wreak havoc in the backfield. This major defensive change is why McCoy and Clayborn are slimming down to increase their ability to penetrate. This is going to change the whole defensive mentality. If Ruud stays he will be an altogether different player in this new scheme. At last, Buc ball again!
June 26th, 2011 at 12:11 am
It’s unbelievable to me. We have run the Tampa 2 foreman near 20 years, yet almost no one here has any concept of how the defense works, or what the players responsibility is. I guess some of you just turn on the Tube, crack a beer, Sat “football gooood!”, and then take a nap. You can’t actually watch the game and be that uneducated about it. It’s not possible.
By the way, the above senario sounds pretty good! Just don’t wake up thinking you’re a football expert. THATS where the problem lies!
June 26th, 2011 at 12:25 am
2.2″ Us sheep are far more intelligent than you are. The Bucs don’t just run the base cover 2 anymore, Raheem runs a hybrid Tampa 2.2. Strange that you use 2.2 in your name, either you secretly do love Raheem, or you are trying to share something that none of us reading care to know about. Our base defense is not the old Tampa 2 anymore you neanderthal!
June 26th, 2011 at 4:47 am
either way, i dont see ‘franchizing’ as something we should be debating over… since were not even sure that will be available to the bucs at all
June 26th, 2011 at 5:12 am
I love how Thomas says PFF stats have been proven wrong yet he never argues their methods of play breakdown e.g. QB pressures and QB hits. McCoy dominated Suh in both categories in half the snaps, but of course, he would never argue these factual points. Instead of looking at game footage, he would rather just spout of asinine opinions and call them facts without any proof whatsoever.
Thomas, where is the proof in your BS pudding? I have spent days watching every single game multiple times yet I rarely find your assessments accurate. In fact, most of the time I find your words to be either ignorant opinions or flat out lies. You never ever seem to have a circular thought.
Prove your words or STFU!
June 26th, 2011 at 7:19 am
Well said! It’s funny how there are so many people who say they know football, but don’t know the fact that the Bucs only use the Origonal Tampa 2 only about 25% (or less) of the time. Raheem really likes to mix up coverages and packages to make it tougher on the opposition. Thomas talks about GAP responsibiltiy like Ruud doesn’t have one. The Mike Backer in the Bucs system is responsible for the Strong A gap. (Either side of the Center) ON RUNNING PLAYS; his first responsibility is his GAP! There is no back peddeling like some of you try to claim. Why would you back peddel unless it’s some type of play action? Once you disect the play and know it’s a run; there is no pass coverage; he should be at or close to the line of scrimmage. Will the defense be better with a stout defensive line? Sure! Does a leader or a great player need to use excuses like that as to why he’s not performing? Absolutely Not! Nobody wants to answer the question as to why Cody Grimm & Ronde Barber are able to crack some heads with the same defensive line? While Ruud gets pushed at the point of attack.
June 26th, 2011 at 7:50 am
Capt. Tim, I’d be the first to admit I’m no football expert. To be honest, I’d have to admit to being a plaigarist from my last post. Those are not my words, but words taken from an interview with Buc defensive line players following a meeeting with Millard and Stretz before the lockout and reported by a local website which will go unnamed. Don’t put faith in my credentials as an expert, time will tell if there is viagara in my words!!
June 26th, 2011 at 8:25 am
Macabee- lol! And time will tell if I’ m full of it! Which does happen more often than I like to admit!
Viagra in my Words! Wow, that might make the spoken word mightier than than the Pen! the mere thought of that makes me really nervous for some reason. . . Lol.
June 26th, 2011 at 8:39 am
Bucnjim: you are confusing pass defense with run defense. Yes, the d now mixes up its pass rush and coverage defenses away from the typical two deep zone defense that monte loved where you rarely blitz and the Mike lb has deep middle usually when a TE or slot WR tries to exploit that seam.
Rah employs the same basic run d concepts with mike having strong a gap but rah uses a little more run blitzing which doesnt change the run d philosophy just shifts gaps and overloads the side where u anticipate that they will run.
The philosophy last year was not 2 gap, it was one gap. The reported problem between Wash and McCoy was that Wash couldnt get McCoy to penetrate where and how he wanted. Mccoy was used to freelancing more at OU. McCoy doesnt like to get physical against stronger O linemen which is unavoidable in this run d philosophy. At the undertackle, your job is penetration, not tie up a lineman so the backer is freed up.
June 26th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Not exactly, Thomas. The Tampa 2 – at it’s very core, was a pass defense. The MLB always played a zone. Not a gap, and we would always play a safety ( Lynch) in the box, for run support. The reasoning behind That, is to stop all the little “quick hitter” routes across the middle of the field. Most teams just concede those. We don’t. Plus, if it’s a passing play, the safety can get out of the box fast enough to still guard the TE if he goes deep. Again, at it’s core, a pass defense. That’s why our DTs are critical to stopping the run. The MLB is not in the traditional spot behind the middle of the line. He’s ten yards further back.
The Tampa 2.2 is even more of a pass defense. It is a 3-3-5 defense. We don’t keep the safety in box. And we pull a D-lineman. As Steve White pointed out, that is our base defense. With the new passing rules. And QB protections, Coach Morris doesn’t believe most teams can beat you if you shut down their passing game. I believe him. It isn’t like the old days, when teams could run it down your throat. Teams today are built to pass. I think he is exactly on the mark.
So, no, we don’t play a Base Tampa 2. We play a hybrid Tampa 2.2, which requires even more coverage from the MLB, not less. But if the back gets thru the line, your MLB better be a sure tackler, cause there is no one behind him. Again a Ruud strong suit. The man doesn’t miss tackles. All you have to do to confirm this, is watch last years games.
June 26th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Bucnjim,once again no one will answer why everyone but Ruud and Jones are cracking heads,he is always in position ,a sure tackler but it takes 3 or four yards foward to do it come on one of you Ruud supporters can answer that.And you Tommy,how can you talk about a Mccoy and Ruud does the same thing that you claim Mccoy is doing not being physical and if Mccoy is doing that after six years shouldnt we try to get an upgrade?why do you think a guy with all those tackles is not in the pro bowl,not in the top 100,and the main reason everyone is sure he will be resigned is because we need to reach a salary floor.
June 26th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Capt tim: you understand some tampa 2 and 2.2 concepts you you grossly confuse others. Probably bc you never played ( i know hawaiian i have said that doesnt matter but here it seems to) The tampa 2 is a pass defense, it is a variation of the cover 2- two deep safeties covering the entire deep halves of the field.
The run d philosophy is typically either 1 gap or two gap. Monte and rah run a 1 gap which means in base after the Mlb calls the offensive strong side after snap each player must fit his assigned gap after read steps. Having an 8th man in the box, like a strong safety, provides a player purely free to find the football. The mlb does have a gap Tim unless a game (run blitz is called). What you are confused by is when the bucs would fire a safety and the TE would release downfield that Ruud would be required to release behind him. You have never watched a buc game if you believe that Ruud lines up 10 yards deeper than a traditional Mike backer.
That is a shockingly incorrect statement. On third and longs, he may be lined up at 7-8 yards instead of 4-5, but almost never on even down and distance situations.
Ruud’s resp is to call the d, fit his gap and flow to the football afterwards. He makes so many tackles bc his gap is rarely exploited allowing his instincts to take him to the football in other areas.
June 26th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Wesley,
Here is the Bucs top 10 defensive playes of the year:
http://www.buccaneers.com/multimedia/videos/Top-10-Defensive-Plays-of-2010/2fd2ea86-1bfe-4cac-8338-eeae55a64741
Tell me what the first thing you think of after you watch these. Look close to see who is in the plays and what every person is doing to contribute to these game changing plays. Two players stand out and it’s the same two players that I’ve been preaching about since the season ended. Cody Grimm and Ronde Barber gave the team leadership, youth, experience, splash plays and smash mouth football. I look forward to the entire defense catching this fire and playing the physical and violent style we are looking for.
June 26th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Thomas please answer the man since you wont answer me,dont be a hypocrite your whole time on the website what is your answer to why this greatest in tampa 2 defense linebacker hits like dion sanders while Barber and Grimm crack heads and Barbers job is to call the d,cover and flow to the ball?Make me a Ruud fan explain this because I did play so dont use that excuse.
June 26th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Wesley: grimm was impressive but he is coming from 10 or 12 yards and no traffic in his way. Barber has a nose for the football, like Ruud, he loses some of his battles to bigger players with a head of steam.
Lasy year, Ruud got trucked by Ivory on a play in his gap and you sheep killed him for it. That was one play out of approximately 500 run plays for 2010.
Ruud is productive. Mccoy is not so far. If you polled the league, Ruud was closer to the pro bowl than grimm or barber. The market will you show you sheep what the league thinks of Ruud’s value.
June 26th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
O.K. lets for get about Ruud just for one second. Check this out! Pop a cold one and check this out. If this doesn’t fire you up for 2011 then you’re not a Bucs fan.
http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A0SO8ZlpkgdOuBQAUZH7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBrOHZyYTM1BHNlYwNzZWFyY2gEdnRpZANWMTIw?p=2010+tampa+bay+buccaneers+lowlights&ei=utf-8&n=21&tnr=20
You Know why it’s easy to forget about Ruud? Because he’s not in here! Anywhere! Sorry if we’re not supposed to post links; just trying to prove a point.
June 26th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Sorry; it’s 2010 highlights far right
June 26th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Just a couple of pictures for you guys see who the real leaders & performers are on this team. These guys are OUR future! Someone’s missing though; I wonder who?
http://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A0SO8ZlpkgdOuBQAUZH7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBrOHZyYTM1BHNlYwNzZWFyY2gEdnRpZANWMTIw?p=2010+tampa+bay+buccaneers+lowlights&ei=utf-8&n=21&tnr=20
June 26th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Lil Wayne’s show
June 26th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
but Tommy didnt you say that Ruud was back in coverage most of the time from your first excuse when we asked why he does not hit like other middle linebackers who by the way are in traffic also?It is so obvious what you are saying makes no sense.Is he in traffic or is he in coverage?Did you play any organized game of football in your life?But by all means finish explaining how he is fighting through blocks and cant lay a solid hit on someone,or should I try and explain that he should stop forward progress,so by using your words he is not held to the same acountability as Mccoy he is not supposed to lay the wood?you must have grown up looking at a vibrating football game and thougt it was real,I know you Thomas the king sheep in white linen wont answer,you will be your normal avoid the issue self.
June 26th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Wesley: Tim said he was back in pass coverage on running plays, not me. Ruud is the leading tackler in the nfl, i believe, since he became a starter. How is he unable to shed blocks? Your point was Grimm brings thump, my point was that it is easier from safety than mike due to traffic. It is easier to not get run over when you have a 6 yard head start sprint like a safety will over a backer. Ruud is not soft, mccoy is.
June 26th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
so why willis lewis urlacher beason flectherlofton and every other linebacker shd blocks and bring a pop that stops foward progress since you know say hes a linebacker again.
June 26th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
I’m sorry; could you show may a highlight anywhere that has Ruud actually making a play. A splash play would be nice, but I’ll settle for a hard hit or a game changing play.
June 26th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Look hear Bucnjim,he is the only nfl player without a highlight on youtube or anywhere else that i can find but im sure they are somewhere for 2010
June 26th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
3 years ago against the Saints, Ruud blitzed and tackled a RB, forget which one for a 3 yd loss near their own endzone. It was a great play in New Orleans. Last Season Ruud caused a fumble in the final game against the Saints to stop a scoring drive. That’s all I can remember now. I like the guy but I really think he can be upgraded with McKenzie, Foster, Hayward or Black possibly. I don’t know but you have to look hard and trace back a ways to find Ruud splash plays. They are very few and far in between.
June 27th, 2011 at 3:06 am
I don’t want Ruud back but I remember a few splash plays for Ruud. In the pre season against Miami I believe Ruud got an interception in our end zone and ran it back almost to the house I think? Last year against the Saints when Julius Jones was coming to the end zone, Ruud did jack him up (when he was already being tackled by someone else and falling down) and caused him to fumble. That play pretty much changed the momentum of the game and we went on to win. All season those are the only two plays that I can say I cheered RUUUUUUD, most other plays I threw objects and screamed profanities b/c Ruud did something to enrage me.