While every question has its merit – and believe it, we enjoy answering every one of them, so keep sending them in to playbook@nfl.com or via Twitter at #askplaybook – only a special kind of question can launch us into a raging debate. That question starts or ends with “why?”

James Laurinaitis and Barrett Ruud are both very effective middle linebackers who don’t get recognized a lot, and one element is missing from their respective repertoires.

Michael Turner took a positive step in returning from the ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s 34-31 overtime loss to the Giants on Wedneday, returning to the practice field for the first time as the Falcons returned from their off day.

Neither defensive star is on the cusp of a new deal, but contract talks are ongoing.

While rookie QB Josh Freeman patiently learns the offense, veteran Byron Leftwich is earning the respect of his defensive teammates with the way he’s been throwing the deep ball.

Buccaneers linebacker Barrett Ruud has not participated in any of the team’s voluntary workouts to date — a first in Ruud’s five-year career. The absence of Tampa Bay’s leading tackler from last season (137) has led to speculation that he may not show for the start of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday — a move that the St. Petersburgh Times reports — would cost Rudd a significant amount in fines.

Rarely do head coaches campaign for one of their players for the Pro Bowl. But rarely are players as overlooked as Tampa Bay’s linebacker Barrett Rudd.