KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 7:00 pm
Already the Tampa Bay Buccaneers message boards have predictions about their newest player under contract. "Barrett Ruud is a heat-seeking missile and a monster against the run," said TB Blitz. "I can't believe that he won't be successful." said another TB65. "Future pro bowl player," said Ragnok.
Nebraska's all-time leading tackler, linebacker Barrett Ruud signed a contract with the Bucs Tuesday night at One Buc Place in Tampa, Fla.
"This is everything I could want and now it's out of the way," said Ruud, a former Journal Star athlete of the Year from Lincoln Southeast. "It took a lot of work by the team and my agent (Ethan Locke) and it looks great."
Ruud said part of his contract is to not disclose terms of the deal. The St. Petersburg Times reported that Ruud is expected to average $950,000 for five years and receive bonuses of more than $2 million.
Ruud said his agent and Bucs management spent all night Sunday through 6 a.m. working on the contract for the second-round pick.
Locke told the Times, "Everything went smoothly. He's a good player. I know they love his character and would like to have him around as long as they can."
Ruud agreed.
"I've been through the minicamps and we start practice on Thursday and I can't wait to get going," he said. "This isn't going to be like football camps of old where you start out without knowing anything.
"I understand a lot of their defense and I to fit in," he said.
Ruud said the contract and it's rewards will not change him.
"I'll still wear the $5 T-shirts and live in a little nicer place than when I was in college," he said. "And I've got the Cadillac Escalade in place of my old Toyota. But that's about it for changes.
"My focus is on playing football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," he said.
Ruud is expected to play middle linebacker for the Bucs under defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, a former Nebraska assistant coach.
Barrett's father, Tom Ruud, played for Nebraska and was a first round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1975.
Tom Ruud said his oldest son signed for considerably more than he did in 1975.
"I signed for $55,000 bonus and a three-year contract and the total package was worth $175,000," Tom Ruud said. "Let's put it this way, he's got multiples of that contract. He's definitely a wealthy and happy 22-year-old."
Barrett's younger brother, Bo Ruud, uncles John Ruud and Bob Martin, played for for Nebraska, as did his great grandfather, Clarence Swanson.
Tampa Bay reportedly signed seventh-round draft pick J.R. Russell and third-round pick Chris Colmer. First-round pick Cadillac Williams of Auburn has not yet reached agreement with the Bucs.
Briefly
Former Husker Fabian Washington signed, a first-round pick of Oakland, signed a contract worth $7.8 million for five years on Monday.
Ex-Husker Josh Bullocks, a second-round pick of New Orleans, apparently has not signed a contract yet.
Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or at khambleton@journalstar.com.