Buccaneers Pass on Three Defensive Starters

As the Buccaneers wound up the 2010 season, Tim Crowder was starting at left defensive end and Barret Ruud was the man in the middle of the Tampa2.  Stylez White, who started all but three games last year, was coming off the bench.  In 2011, none of them are with the team as training camp hits full speed.

Each man was a significant contributor last season:

• Ruud started all 16 games in 2010 (as he did in 2009 and 2008) and contributed 85 tackles, 33 assists, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception.
• White started 13 games in 2010 and recorded 28 tackles, 8 assists, and led the team with 4.5 sacks last season.  He also forced two fumbles.
• Crowder started 9 games in his second season with Tampa Bay since getting claimed from the waiver wire early in 2009.  He has appeared in every game since joining the team.  Last season, he recorded 22 tackles, 9 assists, 3 sacks and a forced fumble.

These men were the first, tenth, and thirteenth most productive tacklers last season, making Middle Linebacker and Defensive End (both left and right) positions to watch during the 2011 preseason.