Rucker presented with opportunity

[Bengals1181]

[quote]Rucker presented with opportunity
By Mark Curnutte • mcurnutte@enquirer.com • July 30, 2008



GEORGETOWN, Ky. - The Bengals were counting on Frostee Rucker to have a productive year before Monday's events unfolded: starting defensive end Antwan Odom will be out for an undetermined amount of time after sustaining a sprained left foot.


Rucker, the Bengals' third-round draft pick in 2006, has been limited to five games in his first two pro seasons. He already was listed as Odom's understudy at right end. Now Rucker's running with the starting defense.

A more productive offseason might lead to a more productive season and more snaps for Rucker.

• Video: T.J. Houshmandzadeh
• Photos of Tuesday's workout


"I think staying around Cincinnati was a key," said the 280-pound end. "I didn't take any days off and didn't have any excuses for taking a day off. Being there with the strength coordinators every day, icing myself up, continuing to be around and showing my face was part of maturing and learning how to be a pro."

He didn't work nearly as hard prior to his rookie year or leading into his second season. He re-aggravated a preseason shoulder injury during practice in September 2006 and was later placed on the season-ending injured reserve list without making an appearance in a game. More shoulder problems, coupled with a hamstring injury, limited Rucker to five games in 2007. But he made a difference when he played, collecting 10 total tackles and forcing one fumble and recovering another.

"Every time Frostee got a chance to suit up and play, he did a nice job, he was very productive," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He had a much improved offseason from his two previous. Hopefully he is in a position to keep healthy and play."

Ends Eric Henderson and Jonathan Fanene will get more practice reps, too, in Odom's absence.

HOLDOUT TICKER: Keith Rivers, the team's first-round draft pick and projected starting weak-side linebacker, missed his third practice and third official day of training camp. He has not signed a contract.

Both parties, the Bengals and Rivers' agents, are silent. They have no comment, though Lewis implied Monday that the team's offer for the ninth overall pick is above where it needs to be in terms of slotting with the 10th overall pick, New England linebacker Jerod Mayo. Mayo's five-year deal is worth $18.9 million, with $13.8 million in guarantees and bonuses.

NUTCRACKER: It's a tradition under Lewis. The first day of full pads at training camp features the live blocking drill known as Oklahoma, or the nutcracker.

One offensive and one defensive player are pitted against each other in a narrow lane: the offensive player is to block the defender and allow the ball carrier to run through.

Tight end Reggie Kelly pushed linebacker Rashad Jeanty to the outside.

Rookie wide receiver Andre Caldwell impressively moved cornerback Johnathan Joseph out of the way.

Right tackle Stacy Andrews moved rookie defensive tackle Jason Shirley 15 yards downfield with a lightning-fast start.

Most entertaining, though, was the enthusiastic response of first-year defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer when a defensive player performed well. Zimmer would slap the player's back, rear end and top of his helmet.

"Well, what I was trying to do, what I'm trying to do is build some spirit, some togetherness, If I have to do it, I'll do it, I'll do whatever, if I have to be the leader, I'll be the leader," he said.

"If one of these guys wants to step up and be the leader, then they will. I want them to understand the emotion we want to play with and the tempo we want to play with and the expectations we play with."[/quote]

[bengalsfan850]

i still don't think he can do anything and that if odoms out too long then we put in fanane

[fredtoast]

[i][size=5]"I didn't take any days off and [b]didn't have any excuses for taking a day off[/b]."[/size][/i]

Like having to go to court.

Seriously though, tts make or break time for Frostee. Personally i thought he would see a lot of playing time this season even before Odom got hurt. I see him as filling the role the Bryan Robinson played the last couple of years. Any team that runs a base 4-3 needs to consider rotating its DEs. There are very few guys in the league that are big enough top stuff the run and still athletic enough to speed rush of the edge. Frostee (and maybe Fanene) need to take some snaps on rushing downs to keep Odom and Geathers fresh.

[Inigo Montoya]

Will the Bengals keep four or five defensive ends?


Geathers
Odom
Rucker
Fanene
Henderson



Geathers and Odom have the big contracts and they aren't going anywhere. It sounds like they may have dodged a bullet with Odom's foot.


Fanene has the advantage of a new contract (3 years, $4.4 million, $750K signing bonus) and the ability to swing inside to tackle if necessary. He's also been nicked up several times in first three seasons and only has 20 career games under his belt.


Rucker has the potential to also be a swing player. It sounds like he has been working very hard and is finally free from the injury bug.


Henderson might not be a complete player. He fits the tweener label to a T. I do think he has potential as a pass rush specialist. He might also be able to contribute on special teams coverage.

[fredtoast]

[quote name='Inigo Montoya' post='682746' date='Jul 30 2008, 12:08 PM']Will the Bengals keep four or five defensive ends?[/quote]

That's a very complicated question.

Fanene and Rucker could be DT/DE combos like Bryan Robinson.

If Henderson really shines they may keep him as a LB/DE combo.

My theory is that it all boils down to Shirley. If he gets bumped to the PS (which is what I see happening) then Henderson will grab the final roster spot. If Shirley does make the 53 man roster then Henderson is gone.

[akiliMVP]

[quote name='fredtoast' post='682750' date='Jul 30 2008, 01:33 PM']That's a very complicated question.

Fanene and Rucker could be DT/DE combos like Bryan Robinson.

If Henderson really shines they may keep him as a LB/DE combo.

My theory is that it all boils down to Shirley. If he gets bumped to the PS (which is what I see happening) then Henderson will grab the final roster spot. If Shirley does make the 53 man roster then Henderson is gone.[/quote]
Someone good is going to get cut that's for sure. I really hope Shirley doesn't go to the practice squad, because after reading Thornton's commonts about it has me pumped. He would get plucked away for sure.

I could see us carry only 7 linebackers and Henderson as the extra DE/LB

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='Inigo Montoya' post='682746' date='Jul 30 2008, 12:08 PM']Will the Bengals keep four or five defensive ends?


Geathers
Odom
Rucker
Fanene
Henderson



Geathers and Odom have the big contracts and they aren't going anywhere. It sounds like they may have dodged a bullet with Odom's foot.


Fanene has the advantage of a new contract (3 years, $4.4 million, $750K signing bonus) and the ability to swing inside to tackle if necessary. He's also been nicked up several times in first three seasons and only has 20 career games under his belt.


Rucker has the potential to also be a swing player. It sounds like he has been working very hard and is finally free from the injury bug.


Henderson might not be a complete player. He fits the tweener label to a T. I do think he has potential as a pass rush specialist. He might also be able to contribute on special teams coverage.[/quote]




DE: Odom, Geathers, Henderson, Rucker
DE/DT: Fanene, Thornton
DT: Peko, Sims, Shirley.


Henderson is also your 7th backer.