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Notebook: Stats Misleading To Ruud

Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

Barrett Ruud makes a tackle during last year's game against Atlanta at Raymond James Stadium.

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 2, 2008

When Bucs LB Barrett Ruud was NFC Defensive Player of the Month in September, he was convinced statistics were the best way of measuring productivity.

A few months later, Ruud realized numbers were not the most important evaluation for a linebacker.

"When I was leading the league in tackles, I thought that was how you measure a linebacker, but when I had a couple of games when I had two or three tackles, I was like, 'Well, we were off the field a lot,'" Ruud said.

Despite six tackles against Detroit and three against Arizona, Ruud led Tampa Bay with a career-high 169 tackles, and he was tied for second on the team with three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries last season.

As a result of his outstanding play, a poster of Ruud went up on the southeast corner of Raymond James Stadium next to CB Ronde Barber's picture.

"I look at my film the next day and if I am happy, that is how I judge it," Ruud said. "I have had games when I had four tackles and I thought I played really well, and I have had games when I had 15 or 16 tackles and thought I stunk, so when you turn the film on, that doesn't tell you any lies."

Battle For Position

With Jeff Garcia and Jovan Haye expected to miss time during this week's practice, the fight for backup spots will intensify.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden said QB Luke McCown would get the majority of reps during practice in Garcia's absence, giving an early indication he is probably ahead of Brian Griese on Tampa Bay's depth chart. It would make sense, since Griese has been interception-prone during this week's practice.

In addition, Tampa Bay expects to give Ryan Sims, Greg Peterson and rookie Dre Moore an opportunity to play as Haye recovers from his groin injury.

Hometown Hopeful Clark Trying To Make Impression

Bucs WR Brian Clark might be well-known to Tampa residents, but his biggest challenge during camp is getting Coach Jon Gruden's attention.

Clark is a former Chamberlain standout who played at N.C. State, but he went undrafted in 2006. He spent that year with Denver, and after being waived last season, Clark was signed by Tampa Bay. Clark was on the practice squad and played in the Bucs' regular-season finale against Carolina.

Now Clark is trying to distinguish himself among Tampa Bay's plethora of receivers.

"When you're not drafted, that means they pretty much didn't single you out at being great at something, so you have to be decent, or at least average, at everything," Clark said. "I know what things are my strengths and what things are my weaknesses, but I try to show that I can be versatile and show receivers Coach Richard Mann and the offensive coaches that they can put me in any position.

"Plays that are made for Joey Galloway with speed, I can show that I have speed. Positions that are made with physicality for Michael Clayton and Maurice Stovall, I can show that I can do those things. Things that involve reading defenses like Ike Hilliard, I can do those things as well. Just being able to show all three or four guys at once, that is the biggest thing."

Clark has been consistent during training camp, showcasing his abilities, and recently Gruden said his newest receiver had been doing well.

In order for Clark to make this year's team, he will have to outshine Tampa Bay's other talented receivers.

"I think he's looked real good," Mann said. "He's a real smart guy. He's made some plays out here. He knows what to do, and if I need to, I can move him around because he's smart enough to do it and that's a plus. The more positions you know, the more opportunities you have."

Short And Sweet

Today's Bucs schedule will consist of only a morning practice, with no afternoon events.

Tampa Bay's annual "Family Day," which gives players a chance to spend time with their loved ones, is today. Most players spend the day at Disney with their families or girlfriends, while others simply enjoy their free time.

Bucs players have to be back before their 11 p.m. curfew, because practice will resume Sunday morning at 8:30.

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