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By ROGER MILLS
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 19, 2001
TAMPA -- Bucs general manager Rich McKay knew the day would come when he would have to replace Jerry Angelo, the longtime director of player personnel.
So when Angelo left last week to become general manager of the Bears, McKay had a replacement in mind.
Monday, the team made it official and named Tim Ruskell, who has been with the Bucs for 13 years and has 20 years of pro scouting experience.
"I always contemplated that Tim would be the natural move," McKay said. "I had talked to Tim about it before. We had always said that if Jerry moved on, this was the way we'd like to reshuffle. It worked out very well."
Ruskell, 44, a Tampa native and graduate of South Florida, was Angelo's right hand man for nine years. He will oversee the team's college and pro scouting department.
"It's something I've worked for and thought about as being a possibility some day, but when it actually happens, it can be a little bit overwhelming," Ruskell said. "We feel like we can take something that's very good, that we've all had a hand in, and build it and make it even better. Even though the team has reached a certain level of success, we feel we can do even more in terms of structure and getting into the new age of computers."
Ruston Webster, entering his 14th season with the Bucs, will take over from Ruskell as director of college scouting. Webster said the best approach to scouting college players is to not be fooled by first impressions.
"I know I learned to be more thorough in my scouting, to dig a little deeper, to not take things on the surface," Webster said.
Ruskell and Webster believe in the team's philosophy that players are drafted not on potential but on college production.
"(Tim) really helped us in trying to rate players and rate them for the right reasons," McKay said. "We have used this phrase for a long time, "Production over potential,' and I think Tim was a big part of that movement."
Ruskell will be venturing into somewhat unchartered territory. He will have to become familiar with a number of players already in the league.
"I'll have to slide over a little more in terms of the pro department," Ruskell said. "Rich wants a balance there, and I need to create a balance in terms of half pro, half college, understand the free-agency market and how it works, and the people who are going to be involved in it."
McKay said Ruskell will have an immediate and intense baptism into scouting possible free agents.
"He's going to have to spend time in training camp going to all the preseason games of other teams and watching a lot of tape of other teams," McKay said. "You're never going to try to evaluate every player on every team; that's a waste of time. But you do need to be familiar, and that will take Tim some time."
In other moves, Mark Dominik, who was coordinator of pro personnel, had his title changed to director of pro personnel. Seth Turner was named combine scout. The team also signed scouts Joe DiMarzo, Frank Dorazio, Dennis Hickey and Mike Yowarsky to multiyear contract extensions.
ARDLEY CUT: The team released rookie free agent Alex Ardley, a cornerback from Clemson. Ardley was arrested Saturday in Tallahassee and charged with driving under the influence. Police said Ardley ran his black Chevy Tahoe into the home of Linda Lee Layton.
Officials said Ardley admitted he had been drinking and that his blood alcohol level was 0.13. The limit at which Florida law presumes someone can't drive safely is 0.08.
The vehicle was owned by Saints first-round draft pick Deuce McAllister. Damage to Layton's home is estimated at $35,000.
GIANTS: Wide receiver Ike Hilliard had surgery to remove part of a bone from his right big toe. The foot will be immobilized for about two weeks before rehabilitation can begin.
DILFER UPDATE: Mike Sullivan, agent for free-agent quarterback Trent Dilfer, says his client prefers not to sign as a backup but to "take his chance on having something develop in camp and compete for meaningful playing time."
AGENT SENTENCED: Fairron Newton, who provided financial services to athletes and entertainers, was sentenced in Atlanta to two years in prison and ordered to pay more than $240,000 restitution for his involvement with preparing a false federal income tax return.
According to a 25-count indictment filed in November, Newton targeted pro football players, including the Colts' Shawn King, the Raiders' Charlie Garner and the Dolphins' Tim Bowens. Newton pleaded guilty to one count of tax fraud April 17 in a plea bargain.
-- Times wires contributed to this report.