One of the most beloved players ever to wear a Carolina Panthers uniform will reportedly hang up his cleats today.The Panthers and Mike Rucker have called a press conference at 1:00 PM this afternoon, where the star defensive end is expected to announce his retirement.
Rucker was a mainstay on the Panthers' defensive line for the last ten years. He played with Carolina for his entire 10-year career and is the team's second all-time career sack leader with 52.5, which puts him one behind Julius Peppers.
His presence on the right side helped make Peppers that much more effective, too. Sadly, that presence all but disappeared last season after Rucker suffered a knee injury at the end of the 2006 season and never looked like his old self again last year. Regardless, his real presence -- in the locker room -- will be greatly missed by this team.
Carolina signed Tyler Brayton during the offseason and is expected to draft a defensive end at some point on Saturday. Whomever they draft will have some big shoes to fill.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. God Bless you Ruck and thanx for 9 great seasons. You will be missed
Posted at 9:08PM on Apr 22nd 2008 by Rick
2. Thanks for the memories, Ruck...you will be sorely missed.
And although this is WAY off topic, Im gonna throw this out there...any chance of the Panthers signing Alexander? If they could get him cheap and his health improves, a Williams/Alexander backfield would really be nice...although, granted, it would be a risk. But for a team willing to give Carr a 2nd shot...your thoughts Dave?
Posted at 8:24AM on Apr 23rd 2008 by Thomas
3. Thomas: We don't need a running back who's clearly past his expiration date. We'd be much better off just drafting a kid early on the second day. (3rd round or later.)
There are only two reasons John Fox is looking for a running back at all in this draft -- he still has bad memories of 2004, and he's a little worried that Nick Goings' head might end up like Dan Morgan's. That's not a good enough reason to bring in Alexander, who won't do all the things Goings does, or blow 1st-round cash on a Mendenhall or Stewart. There will be plenty of good backup backs in the later rounds.
Posted at 8:37AM on Apr 23rd 2008 by Dave
4. Man, this news has bugged me all week. Not a good omen for the draft. Maybe the Panthers will draft Ruck's little brother Martin to be the TE they've needed for years. Regardless, Rucker was an amazing player and a loyal member of the Panther family. One of the greats.
Posted at 8:49PM on Apr 25th 2008 by Harrison