Comments on: Pat Kirwan Talks To Joe

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:47:33 +0000

All those talking about the “Tampa 2″ and how deep the MLB and Safeties play………….

Really? Explain Lynch or Grimm in the box then?
There are ALOT of time when it is clearly stop the run first…. Ruud is NOT 15 yards downfield on those plays.

Also, The Tampa 2 as we all know it was used less than 20% of the time last year. It is either being phased out like some suggest or they were merely trying things because of the porous run defense.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:44:01 +0000

I get the QB of the defense.
I get he is not asked to be a thumper in the middle.
I get he needs to drop into coverage.

This is what I see and think about it:

1. Lots of other guys could be the QB of the defense. preferably a LB would do it and many have in the past. It is an insult to thier inteligence to think that none of them could step up and do it.

2. No, he does not need to be the big, slow, run stuffer, and he is not asked to be…. BUT…. he should be able to hit a RB in the hole and drop him. He does it MAYBE 10% of the time, if he is even in the hole to meet the RB.

3. His coverage is excellent within 12 yards of the LOS. After that or out past the tackles… he just is not that fast for a so-called “cover” guy.

Bottom line, he is not the weakest link of the team, but if they can get a MLB to groom for the next year, they will be ahead of the game.

Personally, I think they made a mistake when they did not trade him last year. Now, most likely, he walks this year or next.

By: Capt.Tim

Capt.Tim — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 07:06:36 +0000

BamBam- pretty much agree with that. If you guys read Kirwan’s experience, he worked here! He’s been a coach, and evaluated talent for teams! His creditials are impeccable. He knows our defense, and has no reason to lie to anyone!! Ruud does his job exactly like Nickerson and Quarles before him. And they all did it well. Kiwan worked for the Bucs when they played here! Fans who didn’t understand the scheme bitched Nickerson and Quarles weren’t Kack Lambert. As Pat says, they never were going to be that here! None of them caught the he’ll storm that Ruud catches. I think it’s because of Ian Beckles Lil campaign for listeners. He knows the truth, but like a lot of sad media guys today, will lie if he thinks the controversy will get him one more listener- pathetic! I always get stuck in this argument, because I just hate to see someone blamed unjustly. With my former career, that’s probaly a good thing! I am not a Big Ruud fan. He really goes about his job in a very effiecient and quiet way. But to blame him ( or Nickerson, or Quarles) for run defense, is like blaming Miller for Sabby blowing a coverage again! It’s just not his job! Hate Ruud if you want, but he really does rate a good grade for the job he does here. Again, I just don’t think MLB is key position on our Defense. Just need a rangy LB with good coverage skills- not that hard. I also think Barber could help set the D. The guy is a genius, and hopefully HE wants to coach here when his playing days are over. I think Ruud is as goOd as gone. He is worth a lot more to a team that plays a standard MLB, than he is worth to us as a big safety. The only reason to match a big offer is his skill at setting the defense- hard to price the value of that on a really young team.

By: BamBamBuc

BamBamBuc — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 05:48:48 +0000

Tim,

I don’t know if you recall ever hearing Sapp talk about the Tampa “2″. He always used to say it’s really more of a cover 3. The two safeties would play deep halves, but the MLB would actually drop to the deep middle making it more of a cover 3 than a cover 2. The CBs would play short zones, covering the flats. Of course this would change up from time to time when they’d bring a safety into the box for run support. The OLBs were, as you said, the ones more responsible for run gap containment. The MLB does have run responsibilities sometimes, specifically when they go man coverage. This is what I was seeing watching the past season over again. Ruud was actually very good at getting his gap control, but too often had to double back and make the tackle on the outside edges. Usually because the DEs didn’t get contain and the CBs were in man coverage with their backs turned to the LOS. The zone coverage of the Tampa 2 really relies on the CBs being good tacklers on the edges, as it’s their responsibility in the short zones to be there in run support. Safeties and MLB are usually the last ones to make it back up in run support. Ruud is often 15 yards deep or more, as that’s what’s called for in a true “Tampa 2″.

By: jEsTer

jEsTer — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:45:58 +0000

We dont have to change schemes to have an enforcer at MLB.”BamBamBuc” yes Blount ran over R.Lewis! but way after Ray’s prime!Ruud is in his prime…Do we have bigger needs yes.I’m tired of hearing D-line oh when Price comes along.If we get a new C.B.A. I say trade a second rd for A.J. Hawk hes young and doesn’t fit the 3-4.,sign DE. Edwards from Minn. think about Mankins,Sign Joseph.That would be a great O-line!

By: Hawaiian Buc

Hawaiian Buc — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:33:49 +0000

I agree with you Captain Tim, to a point. In a traditional Tampa 2, you are absolutely correct. Problem is, we rarely run a traditional Tampa 2. That has become only a small portion of what we do on defense. There are many times during the course of a game when Ruud is absolutely responsible to stop the run, and he has had below average results (especially on short yardage situations). Even in the passing game, his splash plays have been few and far between. He is not exceptionally big, fast, hard hitting, or aggressive, so he will never be a dynamic player. He is however, very smart, which definitely goes a long way for him. One thing I completely disagree with is comparing him to Nickerson. That is ridiculous. Comparing him to Nickerson is like comparing Freeman to Jeff Garcia. Nickerson was a beast, and played a huge part in the turnaround of the franchise. Ruud, not so much.

I’m not trashing him (even though it probably sounds like I am), but he’s just not a great player. There are a bunch of other players on our team that are not great either, and they are all replaceable as a result (with the possible exception of some of the emotional leaders, which Ruud is not). I do think it is very unfair that he gets all the blame for the struggles of our defense, but that kind of comes with the position (the same thing happens with the QB on the other side of the ball).

By: BigMacAttack

BigMacAttack — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:22:16 +0000

I think if Price comes back healthy, it could make a big difference. The Bucs have been fortunate that Ruud hasn’t been hurt, but they have been unfortunate by the same. No one has been given a chance to step into Ruud’s role. As long as he is in there you won’t know whether you’ll miss him or not. I would like to find out how valuable he is. This season would have been a good time to check. Next season is about winning it all, hopefully

By: Capt.Tim

Capt.Tim — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 03:15:12 +0000

Ugh, I hate explaining this! Do you like the Tampa 2 defense? The very concept of the defense is this- it is a zone coverage defense. The Conerbacks each have half the field, and the MLB plays the shallow middle. EVERY SINGLE TIME! He doesn’t wait to see if it’s a run- that’s what would kill the Defense. If Ruud bought play action fakes- we’d get killed. He doesn’t cover a gap on the line- EVER! He plays shallow center, about ten yards back. The free safety plays any overloads( 2 WR on one side) or deep middle. The Strong Safety in the Tampa 2 plays in the Box. Diagnoses if it’s run- then HE plays line gaps, if Pass , he takes typically the TE or a RB. The SS plays Run first – remember John Lynch??. The Wil and Sam backers play RUN FIRST, then on Pass either play the short flats, or blitz. The Tampa 2 has ALWAYS been like this. When we won the SuperBowl- our MLB played pass coverage every down! If our MLB makes a tackle, it’s gonna be 10′ down the field- because that’s his Zone, and where he’s supposed to be!!!
The Tampa 2.1 is even more of a coverage defense, and Ruud plays even a Lil deeper. That’s why when everyone was crying about Hardy Nickerson not being a “enforcer”, Kiffin said ” I don’t care if he ever makes a tackle!” it’s because his, and Ruud’s, job is coverage! Not Run stopping!! It amazes me that the same people who claim to love the Tampa 2, still bitch about what the MLB job is in that Defense!! If you want Mike Singletary, then we have to change defensive schemes. The guys thar are supposed to be stopping the run are Jones, Black, and Hayes. There is your problem with Run defense, plus an inexperienced D- line

By: Hawaiian Buc

Hawaiian Buc — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:39:00 +0000

Ask yourself this: is Barrett Ruud a Pro Bowl player? If the answer is no, then he is very replaceable. That doesn’t mean he is no good, it just means there is better players out there. If we are to be so lucky/good to get one, then sorry Barrett – don’t let the door hit you …..! I think Ruud is serviceable to at least not reach to grab a MLB to replace him. If a good one is there, take him. If not, we will be fine sticking with him. He is not horrible, but by no means is he great either. One thing is for sure, if the players around him get better ( the defensive line), he will look a whole lot better.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:27:21 +0000

The thing a lot of ya’ll are forgetting about is how horrendous the D line was last year, as well as in 2009. Barrett Ruud hasn’t had any help from the line for 2 straight years. Improve it and it’ll be interesting to see if it makes a difference in his play or not.

By: Architek

Architek — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:17:26 +0000

It’s simple don’t overpay for a role player and don’t build around him. He is a good player but thats it he’s not dynamic and not a leader. Draft a MLB and if Ruud comes back let the competition begin, simple.

By: Bucbeliever

Bucbeliever — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:56:22 +0000

It still doesn’t mean we can’t draft a MLB…train him up his year so he can take over! If you don’t like Ruud (I’d give him a B or B-), just think of him as a placeholder, a game manager of the defense. The rest of the D which has shown its resilliency will step up. Then, either Ruud realizes his job is in danger and starts playing like a Pro Bowler or the new guy steps in, with experience and knowledge to be the QB of the D.

Drafting a MLB would probably be the best thing for Ruud…

GO BUCS!