New-look Ruud receives 'cool' honor

Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris was heartbroken to discover LB Barrett Ruud chopped off his long hair this week, but still celebrated him Thursday.

Ruud was one of 26 NFL players named to the USA Football/NFLPA "All-Fundamentals" Team, joining notable players such as Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson, New Orleans LB Jonathan Vilma and Denver CB Champ Bailey.

The award is given to players who execute the fundamentals of their position and make a positive impact in their community.

"It's pretty cool," said Ruud, who has a team-high 130 tackles. "I didn't know a lot about it, but basically when you see the people who are also on the team, it's pretty good."

The team was chosen by a seven-person committee, which included former NFL coach Herm Edwards. Ruud received a silver helmet trophy during a presentation at One Buc Place on Thursday, plus the All-Fundamentals Team will give a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football to a youth or high school football program in his honor.

"That's a big deal, to be honest," Morris said, "but I was devastated by the cutting of the locks."

Brooks expectsHayes to learn

The latest Buccaneer arrest doesn't sit well with Tampa Bay icon Derrick Brooks, a mentor to LB Geno Hayes. Brooks has taken a special interest in Hayes, a fellow alumnus of Florida State who replaced No. 55 at weakside linebacker when the Bucs released him after the 2008 season.

"No behavior like this is acceptable," Brooks said of Hayes, who was arrested early Monday morning for trespassing and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors, outside Tampa's Blue Martini nightclub. "You don't want something like this to happen to anybody, but you have to learn from it and I think Geno will."

Brooks was glad Hayes called him this week to give his side of the incident.

"I don't believe this is a long-term problem for Geno," Brooks said. "Now he knows his antenna has to be on high alert 24 hours a day."

Pineapples notin Bucs' diets

A few Bucs players were optimistic they could have pineapples in Hawaii and make this year's Pro Bowl, but the majority of football fans are not convinced.

With only a few days remaining in fan Pro Bowl voting, CB Aqib Talib is the only Bucs player ranked as a top-five vote-getter at his position, according to the NFL. Talib has 87,437 votes and is fifth among cornerbacks. Bucs LT Donald Penn and CB Ronde Barber are not ranked in the top five, but could become alternates if someone ahead of them is unable to play.

The 2011 Pro Bowl voting will continue online on www.NFL.com/probowl.com until Monday.

Toys for Tots drive

The Glazer Family Foundation and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will host their annual Toys for Tots drive at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. The Marines will collect toys at yellow collection stations outside all gates and club entrances until the second quarter begins.

The toys will be distributed to underprivileged children throughout Tampa Bay.

Each fan who donates an item will be entered into a drawing to win an authentic team-signed item. For information, visit www.GlazerFamilyFoundation.org.

Extra points

Bucs WR Mike Williams (knee) and TE Kellen Winslow (knee) fully participated in Thursday's practice. ... Tampa Bay's home game against Detroit on Sunday is not sold out and will be blacked out locally.