Frostee

Rucker

Rucker turns 35 in September and spent the previous five seasons with the Cardinals. He’s made 73 career starts with Arizona, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Rucker started all 16 games last season in the desert, managing 1.5 sacks across 606 snaps while receiving plus marks from PFF for his run defense.

Rucker is scheduled to appear in court August 11 for charges of spousal battery. He should battle to be the Bengals’ fourth end in training camp.

The Bengals knowingly drafted Rucker and A.J. Nicholson despite league-wide character concerns and both have already been arrested. Coupled with Chris Henry’s problems, Marvin Lewis has a P.R. storm brewing. Both of Rucker’s charges date back to an incident from August 2005 when he was at USC.

The deal is for a maximum of $3 million if Parker hits all of his bonuses. Desperately seeking a right end opposite Jabaal Sheard since early last season, the Browns have opted for a tag-team approach. Run-stuffer Frostee Rucker will play early downs with Parker mixing in as a pass-rushing specialist. At 34, Parker can reasonably be expected to give the Browns 25 plays a game.

However, both players look set to hit the open market. Rucker appeared in all 16 games last season, making 11 starts. He notched 44 tackles and four sacks. Fanene made just two starts in 16 games, but managed to notch 6.5 sacks despite grading out as one of the league’s worst linemen by Pro Football Focus.

The Bengals have as much cap space as any team, but they have a habit of losing out to other teams on veteran players. In a weak safety class, Nelson will be No. 2 on the boards of many teams, behind only LaRon Landry. Free agent DEs Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene are also expected to hit the open market.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Joe Reedy, Rucker is meeting with the Browns, and could have a deal “wrapped up by the end of the day” Wednesday. Rucker was still in talks with the Bengals as of Wednesday morning.

It’s reportedly worth “over” $20 million. Rucker is the second defensive end to be lured away from the Bengals since the start of free agency. A 2006 third-round pick, Rucker got his first real shot at starting in 2011, and responded with 44 tackles and four sacks in 447 snaps. More of a run stuffer than anything else, he’ll likely be part of a rotation in Cleveland.

They made the move on their team website depth chart Wednesday. Johnson has just three sacks through 11 starts, so the writing was probably on the wall. Robert Geathers will remain the Bengals’ starting left end going forward. Rucker has often struggled as a pass rusher and is unlikely to be an upgrade on Johnson. Carlos Dunlap surely would’ve been, of course.

Juqua Parker is slated to replace Rucker in passing sets, though he could be pushed by Marcus Benard. Rucker, who turns 29 in September, was signed to a five-year, $20.5 million head-scratching deal in March. Pro Football Focus graded Rucker positively as a 2011 run defender, but poor in pass rush.