Ruud won't be skipping voluntary workouts like year ago

Although he's frustrated by his status as a restricted free agent, middle linebacker Barrett Ruud said he plans to attend every organized team activity for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this spring, one year after skipping the team's voluntary workouts.

Ruud spoke shortly before teeing off at the Celebrity Pro-Am for the Transitions Championships at Innisbrook Resort, where Tampa Bay head coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Mark Dominik were joined by former Buccaneers Mike Alstott, Shelton Quarles, Anthony McFarland and Mark Royals for today's charity event.

Ruud, a second-round pick in 2005, has led the club in tackles for the past three years. He was unable to test the 2010 market as an unrestricted free agent because of new stipulations in the collective bargaining agreement heading into an uncapped season.

While Ruud has doubled his salary to $3.3 million in 2010, the Bucs were able to assign him a high tender that would cost potential suitors to surrender draft picks in the first and third rounds. And because Ruud is restricted, Tampa Bay has the option of matching any contract offer for the 26-year-old former Nebraska standout.

"I'm not the only one going through this restricted label right now,'' Ruud said. "It's frustrating, but it's something I knew was going to happen. I'm ready to have as good a year as possible and I'm ready to do as much as I can to prepare for that. For me, OTAs are helpful and I plan to be at every one of them.''

A year ago, Ruud bypassed the club's voluntary sessions in an effort to kick-start stalled negotiations on a new contract.

"I don't regret at all what I did last year,'' said Ruud, who did attend Tampa Bay's mandatory mini-camp last June. "I think it was the right thing for me to do. This year, being a part of our OTA program is the best way to go about it.''

Ruud, whose 142 stops last season tied for second in the NFL behind San Francisco's Patrick Willis, said he's anxious to help the 3-13 Buccaneers in their rebuilding process.

"I think we kind of hit our stride, but unfortunately it was too late in the season,'' he said. "We played pretty well in the last six or seven games. Obviously, we didn't play well at all at the start, but we never lacked effort. We got beat, we were down 25 in the fourth quarter, and guys were still flying around. That's a sign of a high-character team.''

With the third overall pick in next month's draft, the Bucs are likely to end up with one of two stellar prospects at defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska or Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy.

Ruud said he would be happy with either pick, scoffing at any suggestion that defensive tackles aren't game-changers.

"You're talking to a guy who thinks it's the most important position,'' Ruud said. "Dominant defensive tackles can control games. If it takes two guys to block them, even if they don't make a tackle, they can make a big difference in determining who wins and who loses.''