Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online

TBO > News

News Of Bucs' Cuts Catches Many Off Guard

By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: February 26, 2009

Who Is The Greatest Player In Bucs History?

TAMPA - Monte Kiffin was a few minutes from heading into a University of Tennessee meeting in Knoxville on Wednesday afternoon when he was informed the Bucs had released five players, including perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks.

Thankfully, he was sitting down.

After a 20-second pause to digest the news, Kiffin took a deep breath and collected his thoughts.

"Derrick Brooks is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, an awesome, awesome player and person," Kiffin said. "I consider it a privilege that I got to coach the man. He's meant an awful lot to my career."

Tampa Bay's former defensive coordinator was one of many observers surprised by the Buccaneers purge that swept Brooks, fellow linebacker Cato June, running back Warrick Dunn and receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard out the door.

"It's an unfortunate day for the guys involved, but it's also an opportunity that younger players can take advantage of," said Tampa Bay defensive tackle Chris Hovan. "Guys like Quincy Black and Adam Hayward are going to get their shots now, but remember one thing - you're filling big shoes when you talk about No. 55."

Former Ravens coach Brian Billick said Brooks represents a rare breed.

"There are a lot of great players in this league - but there are only a handful that define a position," said the NFL Network analyst. "Derrick Brooks did that. In the Tampa 2, you ask a lot out of the Will weakside linebacker. Whatever you asked out of Derrick Brooks, he did it better than anyone else."

Defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who broke into the NFL with Brooks in 1995, said "nobody was more prepared for Sunday, and you couldn't stop him. He's the best Will linebacker to ever play."

With the release of the five veterans, the Buccaneers expect some of their core young players to step up and provide leadership this fall.

Barrett Ruud is eager to heed the call.

"If the organization is looking for me to be more of a leader, I'm ready," said the 25-year-old middle linebacker, Tampa Bay's leading tackler in each of his two seasons as an NFL starter. "My goal is to improve as a player, but there may be times when I need to be more vocal, and that's OK, too."

Ruud could find himself flanked by inexperienced linebackers such as Black, Hayward and Geno Hayes in 2009. The Bucs also could look to restock the roster through free agency and the draft. Brooks and June missed only two starts between them at outside linebacker, and if Tampa Bay pursues a veteran, Michael Boley of Atlanta or Buffalo's Angelo Crowell could be worth a look in free agency.

Wednesday's overhaul won't fully hit home until the Bucs gather for workouts this spring at the facility.

"Since I got here in 2005, there have been a lot of changes," Hovan said. "It's going to be weird not seeing No. 55 when we get to Orlando for training camp. In all my years in football, I've never seen a guy who took charge of a locker room like Derrick Brooks. A man like that can't ever be replaced."

Share this:

* To:
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
Personal Message [optional]: