Ruud Named NFC Defensive Player Of The Month

In an unsurprising announcement, Barrett Ruud was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month, leading the league in tackles, causing 3 fumbles with a couple of recoveries, a couple of passes defensed, and picking another pass off. He's been a monster on the field and has been able to help the Bucs shut the opposing offenses down.

Ruud's bigger size has allowed him to hold up against the run better than Quarles, though Ruud still gets out of his gap on a occasion. At the rate he's going, Ruud could end up in the Pro-Bowl this year as his picture is consistently plastered on the NFL main page as the leader in tackles. The notoriety is coming fast and furious with each team the Bucs play. If he continues to perform like this against the Colts, you can pretty much bank on him getting to Hawaii. With him manning the middle and Brooks and June to either side, the Bucs have one of the fastest and most capable group of linebackers in the league and it's been showing. It's going to be fun to continue to watch him all year and see if he can continue to raise the bar as the season progresses.