Starting job assured, Ruud impresses

With Shelton Quarles gone, the linebacker is feeling more relaxed.

By JOANNE KORTH
Published June 20, 2007

TAMPA - For the past two seasons, whenever Bucs linebacker Barrett Ruud got into a game, he kept one eye on the sideline, waiting for starter Shelton Quarles to shake off the latest bump, ding or sting and come jogging back onto the field.

Now, all of Ruud's focus is forward.

Entering his third NFL season, the former second-round draft pick finally is the starting middle linebacker. Quarles is gone, released by the team in April. Turns out, running backs are easier to tackle now that Ruud is no longer looking over his shoulder.

"It's more relaxing for me, " Ruud said of knowing he is the starter. "Shelton was one of those guys who got little nicks all the time and would go down, but you always knew he was going to come back in the game. It's comforting knowing I'm going to be the guy to go in there and start."

Now, he is turning heads.

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, cornerback Ronde Barber and linebacker Derrick Brooks are among those who see Ruud asserting himself in new ways this offseason.

In the film room.

In meetings.

In the huddle.

"He's shown some real leadership, " Kiffin said. "Our middle backer, he's running the huddle, and you've got to feel him. I really feel him. I didn't feel him last year because, in fairness to him, he was a backup. He's always been very humble, and Shelton ran the show and Derrick is the captain of our defense and has been for years. But Barrett has really asserted himself, and that's good."

As evidenced during Tuesday morning's mandatory minicamp practice at the team facility, Ruud is capable of making plays all over the field, sideline to sideline and, at 6 feet 2, 241 pounds, deep down the middle in pass coverage. He has some experience to draw on after starting five games last season when Quarles was injured.

"Barrett's a smart guy; he understands the defense, " Barber said. "And he's got a lot more talent than people really recognize. They'll find that out this year.

"I don't think we'll miss a step."

No less an authority than Brooks, whom Ruud calls "The Don, " sees a difference in Ruud now that he has the added responsibility of being the starter.

"There's a lot more attention to detail, a lot more communication when we're not on the field, " Brooks said.

"He's talking to me and asking me questions about certain situations. That's just him trying to get better. He's been here every day in the past, but now he's putting a lot more emphasis on the mental side of the game, the film study. And I'm going to try to help him get better."

Brooks and Quarles started side by side for eight seasons, Quarles in the middle and Brooks on the weakside in the team's speed-based Cover 2 scheme. They knew one another's tendencies, needing only to make eye contact on the field to communicate.

So Brooks, too, is adjusting.

"Am I going to get used to Quarles not being there? No, " Brooks said. "When you play together with someone for eight or nine years, that's a little difficult to do. But I'm going to give Barrett my all and be there for him to help him.

"It's to his credit that he had some playing time last year, so him being the starter is not that new.

"This part of the game is new, going into the offseason knowing you're going to be the starter. How do you prepare compared to someone who could possibly be the starter? I think he's doing the best he can to get ready."

No looking back.

[Last modified June 20, 2007, 00:11:50]