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BUCS COLUMN

Ruud Finally At Home In Middle Of Bucs' Defense

By MARTIN FENNELLY

Published: Sep 25, 2007

Ruuuuuud.

He likes the sound.

Bucs linebacker Barrett Ruud heard his last name crooned loud and long by fans at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. It felt like home.

"I used to hear it at Nebraska," he said.

Ruuuuuud.

That was Saturdays at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. That was Barrett Ruud when he was a college star, when he was a "Blackshirt."

The Blackshirt tradition goes way back at Nebraska. The way Ruud heard it, one day, a Nebraska assistant coach was dispatched to get yellow jerseys for practice, "but all they had at the store was black," Ruud said.

The Nebraska first-string defense has worn black shirts at practice ever since. Ruud wore three different black shirts at Nebraska.

"That's big stuff up there," he said. "I still have my three."

Now he's earning his Bucs shirt.

Never Was Worried

The linebackers have been the sizzle in this resurgent Bucs defense, and right in the middle, at last, is Barrett Ruud.

He had Shelton Quarles ahead of him for two seasons, often well ahead. When Quarles left, it was Ruud's job.

Then Jeremiah Trotter was signed late in preseason.

Ruud said he wasn't worried.

When he wasn't worrying, he read newspaper and Internet reports on him. He's one of the few athletes you'll hear admit that.

"I'm a single guy. I have a lot of time on my hands," he said with a grin.

He read and read.

Can't crack the lineup.

Can't cover receivers.

Draft bust.

"I read it all," Ruud said.

Now he's all over game accounts. Sunday was another big day, 11 more tackles and his first NFL interception in the win over the Rams.

All that after Ruud was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for 16 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery against the Saints.

Even the fact that alma mater nearly got Appalachianed by Ball State last weekend in Lincoln can't ruin Ruud's burgeoning season.

Well …

"Imagine if that had happened," Ruud said.

There's nothing to imagine when it comes to the Bucs linebackers. Ruud, Derrick Brooks and Cato June are everywhere. And guess who's in the middle of it, leading the Bucs in tackles.

Ruuuuuud.

"He's just been outstanding," Jon Gruden said.

Felt Like A Substitute Teacher

There were times the last two seasons when Ruud's friends back home gave up looking for his name on TV highlights or the Internet.

He was on special teams, which he admits he wasn't very good at it. Or he was spelling Quarles now and again (five times in 2006). But he never really found his groove.

"I always kind of felt like a substitute teacher," Ruud said. "You know, keep it in line, don't let anything bad happen."

This year was his best shot.

And he's smashing people.

Now everyone back home can find him. Ruud lost his mom last year. He played through that pain. He still hears from her friends.

"They say, 'You guys are really all over the place,'" Ruud said. "They don't know much football, but even they see our guys are making plays."

He's in the middle of a lot of them.

"It's only been three weeks," Ruud said.

He smiled. He's finally making real noise.

So are Bucs fans.

Ruuuuuud.