Skill trumps money for Bucs' brain trust

In the National Football League, tape doesn't lie.

But the harsh truth is that when it comes to making challenging personnel decisions, reputation or the details of a contract can sometimes trump performance.

The Buccaneers swallowed hard on the brink of a new season and went with their gut instead of their wallet. And by releasing running back Derrick Ward and wide receiver Michael Clayton, Tampa Bay's brain trust gained respect from those left behind.

"That meant a lot," safety Tanard Jackson said. "We're all men in here and we know this is a cutthroat business. They were true to their word in making those decisions and we got a sense of what direction they wanted to go - that's to create the best winning environment possible. And that's a credit to the guys upstairs."

General Manager Mark Dominik and Coach Raheem Morris entered their second season together with two words on their mind.

Progress and meritocracy.

"We've made the tough decisions since Mark and I got promoted," Morris said. "We're always going to make all our decisions based on skills when it comes to players. You don't want any of them to be financial decisions ... and they're not."

Clayton, unproductive since a stellar 2004 rookie year, signed a long-term deal in 2009 that provided $10 million in guaranteed money. Ward, a targeted free agent last year, made $6 million before he was jettisoned after one disappointing season.

"This team's going forward with the right guys," said 35-year-old cornerback Ronde Barber, the only Bucs player linked to the 2002 championship club. "These people have a track record of doing what they feel is in the best interests of this football team. That goes back to last year with the coordinators. They're not scared."

Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski was fired 10 days before the 2009 season opener, and Morris took over the defense from coordinator Jim Bates after 10 games.

In addition to releasing Ward and Clayton this year, the Bucs parted company with running back Clifton Smith, a 2008 Pro Bowl return specialist who was beaten out in the backfield by undrafted Kareem Huggins.

Wide receiver Micheal Spurlock, who edged Clayton for a roster spot, caught the winning touchdown in Sunday's 17-14 comeback win against Cleveland.

"What's nice is guys are being rewarded for their work," middle linebacker Barrett Ruud said. "Spurlock should be here, and with respect to the guys that aren't here, some of them didn't work that hard. The nice thing about this team is that all the guys who step out on this field trust each other."

Although Ward reported to camp out of shape, it would have been easy for Tampa Bay to give him another season to justify his lucrative deal.

"The GMs that make the tough decisions are the ones you respect," Dominik said. "Having confidence in our players makes these decisions easier. If our punter (Brent Bowden) isn't getting it done, you can't keep him on the active roster just because he's a sixth-round draft pick. As a GM, you expose yourself a little bit with some of these decisions, but you're counting on other guys to step up."

In his second stint with the Bucs, Spurlock has made significant strides as a receiver. Because he is also dangerous on punt and kickoff returns, his versatility was a key factor in letting Smith go.

"This organization proves that hard work pays off," Spurlock said. "You just keep on working and hopefully somebody sees it. That's exactly what happened here in Tampa."

For Ruud, Tampa Bay's willingness to overlook previous financial commitments is destined to pay dividends.

"There's something to be said for admitting mistakes," Ruud said. "As an organization, that's not easy. There's a lot of pride in this league, but at the same time, you should have a lot of pride in putting together your best team."

TALIB ACTIVATED: Cornerback Aqib Talib was activated after serving a one-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. To make room on the 53-man roster, the Bucs waived rookie defensive end Erik Lorig, a seventh-round draft pick.

The Bucs also made changes to the practice squad. They signed guard Brandon Carter, an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech, and released rookie punter Brent Bowden, a sixth-round pick.

Reporter Ira Kaufman