Arizona Cardinals Extend DE Frostee Rucker
By Scott Allen
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker is about to start his 10th season in the NFL
With the lack of a consistent pass rush the next best thing you want for the Arizona Cardinals on the defensive line is depth. Defensive end Frostee Rucker adds that depth this team needs to stay competitive. As of Monday, he’s been extended by one year on his contract by the Cardinals.
Rucker came up big for the Cardinals in 2014. He served as replacement for defensive end Darnell Dockett who had torn his ACL in training camp. Rucker was able to put up a career high in sacks last season. Now Dockett is a member of the San Francisco 49ers.
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In 2014, Rucker had five sacks, his highest total in his nine NFL seasons. His previous high was four in 2013 with the Cardinals, which was his first in the desert. Rucker started all 16 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2012 after spending his first six seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rucker started seven of the 15 games he played in for the Cardinals last season. There was some inconsistency as I said there on the line and he was not excluded from that group, thus just the seven starts. He had to help fill Dockett’s shoes though.
The Cardinals had to feel that Rucker did more than his part though in trying to keep the defensive line relevant. The Cardinals didn’t have to extend Rucker. At this point though you can’t take any chances of losing a true depth guy that is going to get you a sack every now and then.
The terms of Rucker’s deal was not disclosed. Per NFL.com, he was due to make $1.1 million in 2015. Now he is in the fold through at least 2016. If he has a breakout season or can even just eclipse slightly what he did in 2014 then this looks like a good investment for the team.