Congrats to Barrett Ruud.  You've just hit the NFL radar screen.

The league named Ruud NFC Defensive Player of the Week.  It would have been criminal had he been passed over.  Ruud had a career high 16-tackles, two force fumbles and a one fumble recovery in the Buccaneers win over the Saints.

Way to go kid.  Now it's time to elevate your stature in this league by demonstrating consistency.  This week it's RB Steven Jackson.  He's been shutdown two weeks in a row. Make it three.  If he gets loose, all you know what will break loose trying to stop the Rams offense. 

I was one of the first, if not the first to say the Bucs needed to sign Jeremiah Trotter.  He's close to being ready.  However, I will be the first to admit that I was wrong about Ruud.  But I need more proof. 

Tom Korun