Middle Linebacker Barrett Ruud is ready to shoulder the load as a full time starter reports the Bucs Official Site. Barrett will be taking over for a complete class act in Linebacker Shelton Quarles who was let go by the Bucs this off-season. Ruud has had plenty of preparation in order to acclimate to his new role as a starter, whether it was through his spot starts for Shelton last year, his never-ending Special Teams contributions, or the experience he gained through last seasons Pre-Season. Here's how he feels about the experience he's gained:

In this next set of quotes Barrett vaguely compares himself to a Lofa Tatupu of the Seattle Seahawks:
If Barrett Ruud is anything like Lofa Tatupu as a starter, he'll have no problem filling the huge shoes Quarles left for him to fill. Good luck Barrett, I look forward to watching your maturation process.