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Ruud Having Immediate Impact For Bucs

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By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2007

Updated: 09/22/2007 12:44 am

TAMPA - While Shelton Quarles scouts Buc opponents, Barrett Ruud hunts 'em down.

That's how quickly fortunes can turn in this league, where Ruud served two years as Quarles' understudy at middle linebacker.
Hardy Nickerson and Quarles set lofty standards for the position and Ruud has maintained that effort in his first season as a starter, leading all NFL players with 24 tackles through two games, according to league statistics.

'The guy's been unbelievable,' Tampa Bay defensive end Greg Spires said. 'This is his time to shine ... and he's shining.'

Ruud set a powerful defensive tone for the Bucs in Sunday's rout of the Saints, registering a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in a 31-14 triumph.

He also played well in the season opener at Seattle. Pro Bowl cornerback Ronde Barber said the second-round pick from Nebraska has been Tampa Bay's best defensive player through two weeks.

'Barrett Ruud's playing lights out,' cornerback Brian Kelly said. 'He's flying around all over the field and not just in the last game, but in our first game, too. I'm happy for him because the guy has worked hard and he deserves it.'

Ruud, 24, set a Cornhusker record with 432 career tackles. He has wasted no time displaying his instincts for the football as a Buccaneer.

Most of his contributions as a rookie came on special teams, but he started five games last season as Quarles nursed assorted injuries. When the Bucs released Quarles in the 2007 offseason, Ruud knew his opportunity had arrived.

Now, he's thriving.

'You feel more relaxed and you're not worried as much about mistakes,' Ruud said of his new role as starter. 'You can play a little more aggressive and a little more recklessly.'

With Quarles, now a Buccaneer scout, cheering from a press box booth Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, Ruud earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors by chasing assorted Saints from sideline to sideline.

'I was one of the first to congratulate him,' 10-time Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks said of Ruud's NFC award. 'He has gotten off to a tremendous start in terms of making plays. It is a credit to a lot of the hard work he started this offseason, when he knew he was going to be the starter. I couldn't be any more proud of him, personally and professionally.'

When the Bucs signed veteran middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter the week before the season opener, Ruud took the news in stride. And although Trotter has been inactive the first two weeks, he has made a contribution.

'He's a great addition and I really enjoy having him around,' Ruud said of the 10-year veteran, released by the Eagles a month ago. 'He's been there and done that and I ask Jeremiah as many questions as I can. Obviously, he's a Pro Bowl player. I went into the season with the mind-set this is my chance and every game you have to take advantage of it.'

As the Bucs prepare for the high-powered Rams, Ruud has another opportunity to establish himself as a defensive cornerstone for the next generation of Buccaneers.

'He's stepped into the middle of our defense and you couldn't ask for better play,' safety Jermaine Phillips said. 'He's always had a knack for the ball and right now, Barrett Ruud is leading the way for us.'

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