Barrett Ruud plays the game the right way. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran linebacker also represents the National Football League the right way, and people have begun to notice.
As was announced this week, Ruud has been named to the 2010 USA Football/NFL Players Association All-Fundamentals Team. During his daily press conference on Thursday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Raheem Morris presented Ruud the award on behalf of those two distinguished football organizations.
"It's a pretty big honor [for] the guys that have been selected, the men that represent all positions in the NFL, [by] guys like Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson, for great fundamentals, sound technique, playing the game the right way, and teaching our youth," said Morris. "We're very proud of him. It's for his form tackling, the way he absolutely controls our defense. He's an extension of me out there on the field, and we're very proud to announce that he's been selected to that team."
Twenty-six NFL players (11 on offense, 11 on defense and four on special teams) are chosen for this annual distinction based on an ability to consistently execute the fundamentals of their positions and for making a positive impact in their communities. The USA Football/NFLPA All-Fundamentals Team gives youth football players examples of how to properly play the sport and show concern for others off the field. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL and NFLPA.
As part of this honor, All-Fundamentals Team players will designate a youth or high school football program that will receive a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football. Each player selected to the team also receives an All-Fundamentals Team helmet trophy produced by Riddell, the official protective equipment partner of USA Football and the official helmet of the NFL.
"It's cool because it's a great list, everybody's pretty highly respected that's on that list, at least as far as I'm concerned," said Ruud. "Just being a part of it makes you feel good. Also looking at the panel that selected it, it's cool to be noticed for playing the game the right way."
Employing core football fundamentals advances a youth player's performance and safety, particularly in the areas of blocking and tackling. USA Football teaches the game's fundamentals and inherent values through more than 80 annual training events and innovative football training resources employed by its members.
"Barrett is the quintessential 'All-Fundamentals Team' player, especially when it comes to tackling," USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said. "Knowing how to tackle may be the single most important skill that a youth player needs to learn in order to excel on the field and to play the game in a safe way. The millions of kids across the country who love playing this sport are encouraged to emulate Barrett's tackling technique."
A six-year veteran from Nebraska, Ruud is being honored for his ability in straight-ahead form tackling. Ruud has the most tackles ever in a three-year span by a Tampa Bay player (2007-2009), and in 2010, he could join Derrick Brooks as the only players in team history to lead the Buccaneers in tackles for four consecutive seasons (Brooks had a run of seven years at the top, from 1998-2004). He currently has a team leading 130 tackles through 13 games. Ruud has also served as the Buccaneers' spokesman for the NFL/American Heart Association's Play 60 Challenge and has promoted healthy living through numerous NFL and American Heart Association events.
The 2010 USA Football/NFLPA All-Fundamentals Team was chosen by the following seven-person selection committee:
- Jason Belser, USA Football board member, NFLPA senior director of player services and former NFL player
- Tom Carter, NFLPA regional director and former NFL player
- Herm Edwards, ESPN NFL analyst, former NFL head coach and former NFL player
- Scottie Graham, NFLPA regional director and former NFL player
- Merril Hoge, USA Football board member, ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL player
- Larry Kennan, NFL Coaches Association executive director and former NFL assistant coach
- Carl Peterson, USA Football chairman, former NFL team executive and assistant coach
Game-action clips supplied by NFL Films and related video from USA Football's drills library found at www.allfundamentalsteam.com spotlight All-Fundamentals Team players' techniques. The video is accompanied by teaching points offering youth coaches and players instruction for every position.
2010 USA Football/NFLPA All-Fundamentals Team - Offense:
|
NAME |
POS. |
TEAM |
FUNDAMENTAL SKILL |
|
Davone Bess |
WR |
Route running and catching | |
|
Kevin Walter |
WR |
Catching with hands | |
|
Jason Witten |
TE |
Catching with hands | |
|
LaDainian Tomlinson |
RB |
N.Y. Jets |
Following blocks and proper cuts |
|
Vonta Leach |
FB |
Houston Texans |
Run blocking |
|
Aaron Rodgers |
QB |
Throwing mechanics | |
|
Jake Long |
T |
Miami Dolphins |
Hands in pass protection |
|
Michael Roos |
T |
Pass blocking footwork | |
|
Casey Wiegmann |
C |
Snapping and blocking | |
|
Brian Waters |
G |
Kansas City Chiefs |
Run blocking footwork |
|
Eric Wood |
G |
Pulling and run blocking |
2010 USA Football/NFLPA All-Fundamentals Team - Defense:
* *
|
NAME |
POS. |
TEAM |
FUNDAMENTAL SKILL |
|
Justin Tuck |
DE |
N.Y. Giants |
Finding the ball |
|
Kyle Vanden Bosch |
DE |
Pass rush take off | |
|
Haloti Ngata |
DT |
Pass rush bull rush | |
|
Jay Ratliff |
DT |
Dallas Cowboys |
Pass rush use of leverage |
|
*Barrett Ruud * |
LB |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Form tackling |
|
Jonathan Vilma |
LB |
Angle tackling | |
|
LaMarr Woodley |
LB |
Shedding blocks | |
|
Champ Bailey |
CB |
Causing turnovers | |
|
Antoine Winfield |
CB |
Coverage and agility | |
|
Antoine Bethea |
S |
Open-field tackling | |
|
Darren Sharper |
S |
New Orleans Saints |
Breaking up the pass |
* *
2010 USA Football/NFLPA All-Fundamentals Team - Special Teams:
|
NAME |
POS. |
TEAM |
FUNDAMENTAL SKILL |
|
Joshua Cribbs |
KR/PR |
Kick catching and returning | |
|
Jason Hanson |
K |
Detroit Lions |
Kicking mechanics |
|
Sam Koch |
P |
Baltimore Ravens |
Punting mechanics |
|
Patrick Mannelly |
LS |
Long-snapping mechanics |
* *
