Bucs middle linebacker Barrett Ruud told Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune that he will be participating in organized team activities (OTAs) this year. Ruud is a restricted free agent due to the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. If an extension had been reached Ruud would have been an unrestricted free agent. Last year Ruud missed the team's voluntary offseason workouts because he was unhappy about the team not giving him a contract extension. Kaufman writes:

"I'm not the only one going through this restricted label right now,'' Ruud said. "It's frustrating, but it's something I knew was going to happen. I'm ready to have as good a year as possible and I'm ready to do as much as I can to prepare for that. For me, OTAs are helpful and I plan to be at every one of them.''

A year ago, Ruud bypassed the club's voluntary sessions in an effort to kick-start stalled negotiations on a new contract.

"I don't regret at all what I did last year,'' said Ruud, who did attend Tampa Bay's mandatory mini-camp last June. "I think it was the right thing for me to do. This year, being a part of our OTA program is the best way to go about it.''

Source: Ira Kaufman - Tampa Tribune

PewterReport.com's Take: Ruud will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2010 season, so he definitely wants to enter free agency off of a good season. The 2009 season was frustrating for Ruud and Tampa Bay as the team went 3-13 and had the worst run defense in the NFL. Ruud has faced criticism about 2009. The extension talks with the Bucs and Ruud have not been productive.