Barber Wants Ruud Back
July 27th, 2011
Outside of rockstar general manager Mark Dominik’s apparent thumbs-down on Barrett Ruud yesterday before the media, everyone else in the organization seems to be on the Ruud bandwagon.
Including Raheem Morris, Joe can’t recall anyone related to the Bucs not being enthusiastic about Ruud’s return. Plenty of guys have gone public. Ronde Barber is the latest, so he told J.P. Peterson on 1010 AM yesterday.
“I would love to see Barrett back, if I had a vote, which I do not,” Barber said. “He’s the quarterback of our defense. I’d hate to see him go somewhere else and succeed, which he will.”
Barber went on to say that turning over Ruud’s position to a rookie or inexperienced player would be “tremendous pressure.”
The more Joe thinks about the apparent Ruud situation, one thing becomes more and more clear. Dominik is calling all the shots.
July 27th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
The Bucs should listen to the players…Not the Beckles and the people here that are against Ruud….Sign RUUD!!
July 27th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
What is he supposed to say? “I really want to see him go?”
July 27th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Dave. Obviously, he doesn’t have to say anything. He is speaking, so everyone knows how he feels.
July 27th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
The more Joe thinks about the apparent Ruud situation, one thing becomes more and more clear. Dominik is calling all the shots.
Thank god, otherwise, we’d look like the Bungles or Deadskins.
July 27th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
I’m sure Ronde and and all the other experts are wrong about this, and our defense will actually be better with a rookie calling the alignments and adjustments. Without even seeing him play a down, he has been pronouned an upgrade by the Ruud haters.
No Ruud, 8-8. Sad prediction .
July 27th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
I hate to admit it, but Tampa 2 had a good point on anther post. He stated how Dom ripped on Penn right up to his signing, so it all may be black magic and BS. Either way I have come to terms with Ruud leaving, and I think McKenzie will do a great job at the position…of course I am a huge Bulls fan…
July 27th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
Ruud will NOT be back, he is soft as tissue paper and even if it costs the Bucs a game or two early on the defense will be better off in the long run and its obvious that Bucs management is willing to sacrifice a win or two for the long term goal of a championship
July 27th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Of course Barber wants Ruud back. He has a tackle clause in his contract and he figures with all the tackles Ruud misses or doesn’t make because he found a way to get blocked, that it’s another chance for Ronde to pad his stats.
jfgobucs, you say the Bucs should listen to the players and not the fans and Ian Beckles… I say management needs to make the decisions, not the players, fans, or Ian Beckles… of course anybody with eyeballs knows that Ruud isn’t particularly good.
July 27th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Like I’ve said 100 times; you can’t get any worse than last in run defense. Where are we going to go from there? The ONLY reason the defense ranked as high as they were was because of the secondary. Barber, Talib, Grimm and everyone else played lights out; while the front 7 led by Ruud were dead last. His play plus his play calling made the Bucs weak EVERYWHERE in the middle. So many teams are lined up to sign this guy I can’t believe it anyway…..Not so much
Oh and don’t give me that he was back in coverage crap because he only had 4 passes defensed while a player even more critisized than Ruud (Geno Hayes) had 6 passes defensed, 2 interceptions and a Touchdown.
July 27th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Capt.Tim Says:
July 27th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Dave. Obviously, he doesn’t have to say anything. He is speaking, so everyone knows how he feels.
Uh, no. He was asked a question and responded.
Ruud is gone. It is time to move on and let the new players learn.
July 27th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
I tend to agree with Ronde. While I certainly support Mark Dominik I can’t help but suspect the Royal Glazerbaums have somewhat tied his hands on big money signings for now.
I’m still not clear on the CAP floor deal and what it means to our situation but I do know we’ll need plenty of room to sign our own stars. I’m typing about HUGE money for Josh Freeman, Mike Williams and Blont just to name three players on one side of the ball.
But that typed, I think it would be best for the team to have Ruud back this year and have my doubts it will happen.
Isn’t this GREAT! Typing Buccaneer football with training camp opening in TWO DAY!!!!!!!!!
July 27th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Barbers own statement says it all: hating to see him leave and succeed somewhere else implies he is NOT succeeding HERE!
Ruud sucks, I’ll take someone with less experience but more balls at this point.
Don’t worry guys, we are not starting a rookie. It’s Tyrone or a FA LB like Barnett.
July 27th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Damn it Garv. Our names are too similar. I hope people aren’t getting us confused. Although I do agree with you mostly.
July 27th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Good cop, bad cop.
July 27th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I agree, what’s Ronde supposed to do, say he wants to see Ruud gone?
July 27th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
For one thing … How many people that say we will be screwed if Ruud leaves have seen how Tyrone McKenzie plays or seen what type of player Mason Foster really is ???
The Bucs released Antonio Bryant last year and I remember hearing the same things about us being lost … How did that go ???
All I can say is Dominik has been awesome regarding young players and I will go with whatever he thinks works
July 27th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
He could have easily spouted some crosstsalk stuff like thewy all did when penn was holding out “I’d love to keep him but I understand that this is a business and he is going to do what is best for him if he moves on we all support him” that’s what he is supposed to say if he doesn’t want him back NOT give him an endorsement
July 27th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Joe-
Heard you this morning on Ron & Ian…….and I just don’t see how we get to the cap floor without making a big splash in FA. We would basically have to double everybody’s current salary in order to reach the floor if we don’t make any big signings…..
July 27th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
The Ian post is the one that I might agree with. If we are going to make a change, and go young. Then do it.
But it will cost us games this year. It could cost us a playoff spot. Seems expensive for a team on the rise
And for those of you who say the run defense” can’t get any worse”. Last year we played a 3-3-5 defense alot. Gives up the run, stopped the pass. This year, we will struggle to stop the Run in a 4-3-4 defense. And we won’t be shutting down the pass.
Ruud did his jOb in this defense. It wasn’t pretty, and won’t get you noticed. I, and all the former players/ Experts have said that. I hated to see him trashed for things that weren’t his fault. But I never was a Ruud fan, either.
But we will miss him. And we will lose games without him. The defense got even worse, and even less experience/ leadership.
I hope he has success elsewhere. God help the next poor bastard that plays that thankless position.
July 27th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
I wonder if Ronde is rethinking retirement now. He came back for another shot at the playoffs. If we are still rebuilding the defense, I wonder if wants to go thru the beating for another rebuilding year?
July 27th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Bucnjim…Where it can get worse is in the only stat that really counts…The W/L column. That is the improtant stat…if the d gets worse, maybe the 10 W’s declines to 9 or 8…now, Beckles above (if that is really him) has a good point. Management is willing to sacrcafice for the long term goal. Either way, we will know for sure in the next couple of days.
July 27th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
CreamsicleBananaHammock:
Joe has to be honest: He doesn’t lose an ounce of sleep over what Mark Dominik does or does not spend. Dollars just do not equate wins.
Joe is FAR more concerned over middle linebacker than anyone’s takehome pay.
July 27th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
The more I think about what Dominik said yesterday in his press conference the more I believe he wasn’t outright declaring that Ruud isn’t coming back. I think he was sending a message to Ruud & his agent that if they try to play him and ask for an unreasonable amount of money that the Bucs will move on because they have other options on the table.
So in reality the ball is in Ruud’s court now. Ask for $7-$8 million per year on a long term deal and Dominik probably tells him to hit the road. Lower his expectations & demands down to around $5 million per and no more than a 3 or 4 year deal and I have to think Dominik says yes, let’s do it.
July 27th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Capt. Tim –
The 3-3-5 defense is a passing down defense. Very rarely did we play it in a situation that wasn’t 2nd & 8+ or 3rd & 5+. Very rarely in those situations was a run called against it. The Bucs never lined up in the 3-3-5 “Redskin” package on 1st and 10.
That being said, the weakness against the run cannot be solely placed on Ruud’s sholders (not something you’re saying, but many other seem to be implying). If Ruud is replaced by Foster or McKenzie (I am personally pulling for McKenzie if Ruud is no longer around), there’s no guarantee that A) they’re better players or B) the rest of the team around them plays better against the run than when they played with Ruud last year.
Finally, I am a little tired of seeing Ruud get trucked by oppsing RBs in the hole. Any decent starting linebacker should be able to at least stand up or slow down an opposing RB (with very few excpetions currently in the NFL) so someone else on the defense can come in and make the tackle.
July 27th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@Joe-
I agree…..I’ve got no problem with the 10-6 Bucs from last yr having the lowest payroll
But they HAVE to spend a significant amount of money….reports range from $52M-$59M. I mean, giving the new rules it sounds like the cap floor is just as much a part of the game as a holding call or roughing the passer
I’m just asking…am I missing something? Are they going to rely on cap tricks to get there? Overpay their own guys? I just don’t see how we get there without bringing in a big name or two…
July 27th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
They are going to have to spend money eventually….
July 27th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Did you guys not pay attention last night when Dominik was going head to head with Jerry Jones to sign Doug Free? He ended up with a 4 year deal worth $32 million. You have to think Dominik was right there in the running at close to the same number.
So if the Bucs are willing to go after a guy at $8 million per season and you already know they went after Haynesworth on a deal worth $100 million, then why do you still act confused as if nothing is happening? Give credit where credit is due. They ARE willing to spend the money, it just has to be the right guys and they WILL NOT overpay. How hard is that to understand?
Yes, you can fully expect to see the Bucs going after more free agents as the week progresses. Damn, the whining gets old!
July 27th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
“I’d hate to see him go somewhere else and succeed, which he will.”
Is he saying Ruud isn’t going to be back when he said, “which he will”?
July 27th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Capt Tim, the sky is not falling. I have been on your side on this issue, but we do have new leaders. GMC has emerged as a leader for instance. Ruud even said he is not a vocal leader. He helped line the guys up…I am sure we will miss him, but to think we will crumble is silly. Stop the Chicken Little act my man. Let’s all move on to talk about something else, this horse is beat.
July 27th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
I will be surprised if the Bucs do better than 8-8 without Ruud unless they sign some experienced MLB. I agree with Capt.Tim, Ronde, and just about every other insider that says Ruud is a good player.
July 27th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
CreamsicleBananaHammock:
To be honest, Joe *believes* that doesn’t kick in until the end of the year, but not sure. Joe does literally no research into this because it is of no concern to Joe. There’s really no cause/effect between this and wins and losses, hence Joe just tries to ignore this subject.
Joe’s about football; not accounting. 🙂
July 27th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
fair enough
July 27th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
People have short memories when it comes to last season. The Browns, Bengals, Redskins, Cardinals & Rams were all comeback wins by Freeman and the offense. Although a couple of wins were set up by nice interceptions; the fact remains that the team could not stop anyone in the middle of the field. So a good question to ask would be: what games did the defense take over and shut down the opponent? What big plays did Ruud make to change the course of these games? How can you miss something that did not exist last year? The offense bailed the entire team out time and time again only to have the D fold. (except the secondary) So we want to resign someone who has led this team to last in run defense the last 3 years……Why?
July 27th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
i think 2 very connected buccaneer insiders have let you know what they think of b.ruud. those 2 most important insiders being raheem and dominik..i think it goes something like “out of the picture”. thats the head/D coach and GM who have had 4-6 years with this guy. it’s over..ruud lovers were wrong. im no coach but it doesn’t take a genious to see a guy isn’t getting it done. aparently our coach and gm don’t think it’s a fair trade to have a smart but weak MLB. we are moving on.
July 27th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
CAPT Tim since you have inside sources inside one buc place, and mark dominic calls you to ok every move he makes, you should have seen this coming. Stop acting like this is a huge deal it really is not. Our defense sucked with him. Bold prediction timmy are defense will be better without him this year, and many years to come. When is aqib getting cut tim your sources told you it was happening when can i expect this? YOur sourceas also told you that we would sign nnamdi, so when can i expect that? I have no source but look for the bucs to sign a eric wright from cleveland or a carlos rodgers from washington.Stay hard at work timmy posting 75 times a day at joebucsfan.com acting like the resident genius. #delta bravo
July 27th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@BucnJim I guess the 49ers game was a defensive domination considering they were shut out. But still, one great game doesn’t make a dominant defense.
July 27th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Tremendous pressure?
Ronde speak truth.
I wonder who is going to be the big splash FA signing we “try” and get, but just barely get beat our for.
Dom loves that ploy. Sheep fall for it every time.
July 27th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
the home game with the falcons we shut them down pretty nicely till the last 10 minutes.
July 27th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Okay, so Eric just used the word “sheep”. No one else uses that word in the comment sections other than Thomas. I’m calling it out that Eric and Thomas are one in the same.
July 27th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Something to bare in Mind … If Ruud moves on and is successful similar to his recent years with the Bucs I have heard we would be in range possibly for a 4th – 5th round supplemental draft pick.
The Bucs traded next seasons 4th rounder for Stocker.
Dominik is always looking ahead, and if Ruud Goes it will help in some ways.
July 27th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
I am going to jump off of tim for a minute,his corner is waving the towel. Eric what happened to you, you used to be my favorite poster on this message board. You used to be funny and witty. Lately you just sound like troll trying to start a fight. Whether you like it or not eric as long as we have freeman this team will be good. Step your game up, your posts have been crap for months now. Smile our favorite team is on the up and up and a few idiots like you and thomas can do nothing to stop it.
July 27th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Those two are some sheep loving fools…..Baaaaaaaaaad Boys!!!!!!!!!
July 27th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Bucnjim, lol!
Jarett, totally right!
July 27th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
im pumped for our defense this year
and im still hoping that this dominik doublespeak is just vying for contract leverage with ruud, however if it is not, then i know we will have a good plan.
i really do hope price can at least start to come in in rotations with miller towards the begining of the season. i would love that.
July 27th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
I said it after the presser yesterday and I still think it’s a possiblity…Mark signed Foster quickly to give him strength in the Ruud discusions. If they cannot reach an agreement, then fine, but I think that was the reason for the rapid signing.
July 27th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Like I wrote on my site this offseason, we got the best of the Barber brothers. Ronde is a nice guy, who refused to say anything ill of Gaines Adams, saying instead that he has what it takes.
Ronde…is a great guy.
July 27th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
I’m with Ian Beckles on this issue all the way.
Mauha Deeb, I think you nailed the Eric the Kweer is Thomas the Dumbass. I don’t know why they/he even come here. I know I have lobbied against Ruud but I want what is best for the team as well as what is attainable. I think we can do much better at MLB and almost immediately. Replacing Raheem and Dominick is not only unattainable, but stupid, just like bringing back Chucky would be. This Thomeric’s ongoing argument that will not happen any time soon, but he has to continuously suck on it. Cody Grimm isn’t that much smaller than Ruud and his arms are probably bigger. Cody was a LB in college and isn’t afraid of contact like Barrett, and canning Ruud is a likely possibility.
I will say again that if Ruud comes back as the MLB, I will support him like any other Buc untill he screws up so bad that he has to be benched. If not and he’s here, I hope he has a probowl caliber season that we can all be proud. Somehow I don’t see that happening.
July 27th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
I’m not calling for Grimm to replace Ruud, just saying he has proven thus far to be a good tackler without fear. McKenzie should replace Ruud unless Foster can take the job. I hope they re-sign Hayward and he can also play MLB if needed.
July 28th, 2011 at 12:19 am
Capt. Tim,
Please stop saying we ran a 3-3-5 defense a lot last year. We ran it on some passing 3rd downs, and only when Quincy Black was healthy. It’s not even close to a defense we ran with regularity.
July 28th, 2011 at 12:23 am
Not that the lockout has ended, I only have one more wish for this offseason – to stop talking about Barrett Ruud. I don’t really care if we sign him or not, I just want him to sign with someone so we can stop wasting our time talking about an average at best player. My goodness, as much as we discuss him, you would think we have Ray Lewis on our team! I have never once heard his named uttered as a top tier LB by anyone. At best, he is a good player. I’m sorry, but good players don’t help teams win multiple games per season in the ultimate team sport.