Tampa Bay Linebacker Barrett Ruud Thinks He Got 'the Shaft' in Pro Bowl Voting

Posted Dec 19, 2008 11:15AM By Adam Gretz (RSS feed)

If you look hard enough, every team around the NFL has a player on its roster that should have received an invite to the Pro Bowl. The St. Louis Rams, for example, are livid that their punter isn't going. Some guys, like Atlanta's John Abraham, simply brush it off as no big deal, while others, like Tampa Bay's Barrett Ruud talk about how they got the shaft.

Ruud, a fourth-year middle linebacker out of Nebraska, is currently leading the Buccaneers with 117 tackles, while also registering three sacks, six pass defenses and two interceptions for playoff-hopeful Tampa Bay. He's obviously having a great season, though, not great enough to receive an invite to Hawaii. Predictably, he's not exactly thrilled with decision.

From Rick Stroud and Stephen F. Holder of the St. Petersburg Times:

"I got the shaft," Ruud said. "Somebody's got to get it, though." "The old saying is usually you go a couple years after you're supposed to and you stay a couple years longer. I'm not going to throw a tantrum or anything. I would've liked to have gone. Everybody wants to have that tag as a Pro Bowler, but unfortunately it didn't happen. All I can do is keep playing to get into the playoffs now."

Well, he's exactly right about going a couple of years after you're supposed to, just look at Brett Favre for crying out loud. The biggest problem Ruud faced is the fact the two middle linebackers to receive invites over him are San Francisco's Patrick Willis, and Carolina's Jon Beason, two guys that are absolutely deserving.

In the case of Willis, if he weren't stuck in San Francisco, where nobody ever hears from him or gets to see him play, he would probably be a household name around the NFL.

Of course, Ruud has another theory as to why people (fans) around the NFL don't know about him.

"And when you don't get up and have a big-time celebration, sometimes they don't know who did anything," Ruud said. "I can definitely see why I get kind of ignored or not recognized by the casual fan."

Solid point. Faking your retirement every year seems to help things as well, just ask the quarterback from the Jets.

NFL Pro Bowl Players

AFC Quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Colts*
Brett Favre, Jets; Jay Cutler, Broncos
* starter

Andy Lyons, Getty Images

AFC Running Backs: Thomas Jones, Jets*
Chris Johnson, Titans; Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
* starter

Paul Spinelli, Getty Images

AFC Fullback: LeRon McClain, Ravens

Rob Carr, AP

AFC Wide Receivers: Andre Johnson, Texans*
Brandon Marshall, Broncos*; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Patriots
* starter

Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

AFC Tight Ends: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs*
Antonio Gates, Chargers
* starter

Dilip Vishwanat, Getty Images

AFC Centers: Kevin Mawae, Titans*
Nick Mangold, Jets
* starter

Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images

AFC Guards: Alan Faneca, Jets*
Kris Dielman, Chargers*; Brian Waters, Chiefs
* starter

Al Bello, Getty Images

AFC Tackles: Joe Thomas, Browns*
Jason Peters, Bills*; Michael Roos, Titans
* starter

Ronald C. Modra, Getty Images

AFC Defensive Ends: Mario Williams, Texans*
Dwight Freeney, Colts*; Robert Mathis, Colts
* starter

Brian Bahr, Getty Images

AFC Defensive Linemen: Albert Haynesworth, Titans*
Kris Jenkins, Jets*; Shaun Rogers, Browns
* starter

Phil Coale, AP

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

12-19-2008 @ 4:43PM

Ken said...

I dont want to hear anything from Ruud, hes having an above average season like london fletcher, except london has over a decade of above average seasons and won the position in fan voting, he should not wine until it happens to him for 6 more years...and why the favre hatred? really? I mean I know phillip rivers should have his spot but you seem to be bitter towards the hall o famer taking cheap shots whenever you can wont kick him out of the probowl...

12-19-2008 @ 10:21PM

ThaKridic said...

Not a bad article besides the irelavent points about brett favre
it seems u have something against that hall of famer
your probbably a packers fan and pissed that favre is takeing the jets to the playoffs.

dubbz3000 said...

I voted for Willis and Ruud. Tough luck son.

I voted for Willis and Ruud. 1 for 2 aint bad...

12-20-2008 @ 11:59AM

PJ said...

Waa, waa, waa. Big baby. Keep your mouth shut, you spoiled millionaire. Play the games, cash your checks, go play golf in Hawaii for the winter. Here is a social lesson for the Age: no one is exceptional anymore, everyone is equal in all ways and gets to win. Look at "T" ball and all the kiddie sports where we don't keep score so no one loses. Excellence is dead in America. Thank liberals for it.

S321Saint said...

I think they need to put only players who are pro bowl caliber..regardless of position. So if a Center for instance doesnt get selected this year...so what? Every year, every decade you have a glut of good players at one or two positions...and you have to leave someone out that IS pro bowl caliber..while someone who is basically average in another position gets it because you need two at that position in the pro bowl. Then simply have a great celebration, party in Hawaii..play some flag football...sign autographs. They dont need to play the game...it doesnt even qualify as a good exhibition.

12-20-2008 @ 12:00PM

kent larsen said...

Cheap shot at Farve. Gretz you should not even speak his name, it should not come out of your whimp mouth. Typical statement from a non achiever.

Darrin said...

Ruud is deserving, but as others have said, the Pro Bowl is pretty lame, and is not worth watching. It's a good game for Favre, since he's lame and not worth watching, unless you want to see a quarterback get intercepted. The only one worse than him is Culpepper. And what's with all the dyslexic Favre fans??? How do you get the pronunciation "Farve" out of Favre??? It's pronounced Favor, or if you are of the sissy french persuasion, you roll the r. I guess Packers fans aren't the sharpest tools in the shed!!!

12-20-2008 @ 3:38PM

tim said...

thats not right you freaking idiot, i personally watched brett favre on david letterman and he said how his name should be pronounced the v is silent in his last ame, it is pronounced far, get your facts right you freaking moron

12-20-2008 @ 8:32PM

Tim said...

Because Farve is a french type name and it is supposed to be pronounced with the r and v at the same time. Try to be a little more educated...and a little less ignorant.

12-20-2008 @ 9:06PM

dk45 said...

D Ruud plays football ,..who's he ,.. who cares ..second rate player on a second rate team..You shouldn't even mention Farve's name fricken hack..

12-21-2008 @ 12:20AM

taylorseamless7 said...

.Bertt Favre....If the "V" is silent....shouldn't it be pronounced Fare..as in Fair?...stupid name...

Carrie said...

I've been a football fan for many, many years, deciding to root for several teams. I have been a Jets fan since they were 1-15 rooting for the underdog, and a Packer fan forever while growing up in the suburbs of Milwaukee. Brett "faking" retirement every year? Not quite. At the end of every season the media would start in with their "Is Brett Favre Retiring?" comments and question and it would snowball big time. He retired once, he came out of retirement once. Get over it, Mr. Gretz. Regarding Mr. Ruud - maybe he's right, maybe not regarding the going too late, staying too late theory. As a player, I feel he knows more about this subject than the fans. I've noticed the media likes to talk about the popular players more than others even if they don't play and have an injury as small as a hangnail. Can't really blame the fans on their voting - blame the media for the PR building of players.

12-20-2008 @ 1:01PM

Michael said...

Uh, he got the shaft?

London Fletcher anyone?

12-20-2008 @ 3:03PM

Dominick said...

Wow, Darrin! A bit of sour grapes there Bro. Why so hard on Favre's name? I know you're pissed cause He didn't come play for the Bucs, but that's not his fault. The thing is, if you could even dream of playing half as good as Favre on his four interception day, you could spell your name correctly and we would call you, "Dayrrrin", instead of Douchebag. As for Adam Gretz, Lets see, last year, Jets 4-12, this year, Jets 9-5 and in first place. Ya think thats deserving of a pro bowl selection, Da!
Who isn't the sharpest tool in the shed?

12-20-2008 @ 3:51PM

Hey Dominick, or should it be Dumbinick?? Garcia is doing fine as the Buc's quarterback, but if I wanted a better one, it sure wouldn't be Favre. It would be Peyton Manning or Tom Brady.

Hey Tim, the "freaking moron", it's not surprising that Favre doesn't know the history or origination of his name. In the french, which his name is, the v is not silent.

12-21-2008 @ 12:35AM

Hey Darrin or is it Da rin,
I guess Garcia is acceptable for a Bucs fan when you have never known anything better. The reference was to the fact that the Bucs were one of the teams being considered by Favre before he signed with the Jets, not if you had your choice of any QB in the league. I think Coach Gruden would disagree with you, as he was ready to sell the farm for a chance to get Favre, but, I guess in your opinion, Garcia is still the man. See you in the playoffs, maybe!