Ruskell leaves Bucs for Falcons post
ATLANTA -- In what could be the beginning of a months-long convoy headed north from Tampa Bay, Bucs personnel chief Tim Ruskell is joining the Falcons as assistant general manager.
The appointment of Ruskell, to be announced at a Thursday news conference, is hardly surprising. His former Tampa Bay boss, Rich McKay, came here last month to be general manager. It was assumed at the time that McKay would have a spot for Ruskell if he didn't land a better job with another team.
Ruskell interviewed to replace McKay with the Bucs, who instead hired former Oakland senior administrator Bruce Allen as GM. Ruskell also met with the Miami Dolphins about their GM post, but they promoted vice president Rick Spielman to general manager and hired Dan Marino as director of football operations.
The addition of Ruskell could be the first of several from McKay's former Tampa Bay staff. The contracts of Bucs college scouting director Rusty Webster and of pro scouting director Mark Dominik expire this spring. McKay isn't likely to make any changes in the personnel department until after the April draft, but if he does overhaul the scouting staff those two could be considered for spots.
Some members of Bucs management hoped Ruskell would remain in Tampa but that probably became untenable when he was passed over for Allen. Ironically, Ruskell was one of several GM candidates interviewed by Falcons owner Arthur Blank in 2002, when it became apparent McKay would not be able to get out of his Bucs contract.
The Atlanta position remained open, of course, until last month, when Tampa Bay ownership agreed to allow McKay to seek a position outside the organization.
Ruskell has worked 17 years in the NFL, all with the Bucs. He was elevated to director of player personnel three years ago after serving as a regional scout and director of college scouting. Previous to the Bucs, he worked with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL and the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
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