Barrett Ruud Classic Example of Linebacking Limits

1 comment so far June 5, 2007 by Steve Hanway

At a school with the history Nebraska has, becoming the all-time leader in tackles is quite an achievement. Barrett Ruud managed the feat between 2001 and 2004, Nebraska’s weakest stretch in terms of wins and losses in more than forty years. It’s no coincidence that he reached a statistical peak as the team was tanking.

Ruud played as a freshman, a sign that there were not enough quality veterans to keep a raw talent off the field. That lack of talent permeated the roster which meant Ruud also made tackles that other players missed. In better days, many of his solo tackles would have been assists. Then of course, that lack of talent meant that NU had a weaker overall defense, which meant more defensive snaps, which meant more opportunities for Ruud to make tackles.

That Ruud stayed healthy and productive is a credit to him. There’s a reason that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have groomed him as their defense’s leader for the future. He’s a real talent. But he simply wasn’t able to carry Nebraska’s defense by himself. Even with secondary stars like Josh Bullocks, Daniel Bullocks, and Fabian Washington, Nebraska’s lack of production up front made the 2004 defense one of the worst in memory in Lincoln.

Ruud’s the perfect example of why you need a front four on defense that can do some damage. Without it, your linebackers are forced to make tackles only after the offense has made good gains. It can make the linebacker’s stats look good, but it doesn’t get your opponents off the field. Broderick Thomas had a pro-bowl caliber year in 1991 for the Bucs, but they still finished 3-13. Likewise, Ruud may shine in Tampa but he’ll only be a winner if the big men up front can get it done.

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