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Ruud Expects To Play

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2008

Updated: 10/07/2008 12:22 am

Barrett Ruud said his sore right knee is unlikely to keep him out of Sunday's big game against Carolina. Tampa Bay's active middle linebacker hurt his knee at Denver and didn't return in Sunday's 16-13 setback, but Ruud is optimistic he'll start at Raymond James Stadium against the Panthers, who lead the NFC South at 4-1. "It was a freak play," Ruud said. "I fell and looked like a non-athlete. It's a day-to-day thing, but I feel like I should be ready. A little soreness is no problem and that's what I've got right now." Ruud is a key component on a defense that has yielded only eight touchdowns in five weeks. If Ruud is unable to go, second-year pro Adam Hayward figures to make his first NFL start.

He Said It

"We miss Galloway. I am not going to sugarcoat it. He has had three straight 1,000-yard seasons for us. He led the NFL in yards-per-catch last year. But our guys are playing hard and we just have to do a better job of coaching." - Bucs coach Jon Gruden on injured WR Joey Galloway, who is out indefinitely with a foot sprain

Who's That?

Bucs coach Jon Gruden worked a reference to Houston McTear into his Monday morning news conference. Who is Houston McTear? He was an American sprinter from the Florida Panhandle who became a world-record holder and international track star in the 1970s. See if Gruden's comment about whether the Bucs missed speedy WR Joey Galloway against the Broncos' zone pass defense makes more sense now: "Passing situations where you are getting a three-man rush, you could have Houston McTear come in here and you are going to have a hard time getting down the field."