Interesting possible cuts...

[Tw0mey]

From KFFL.com

Panthers | Team clears $4.4 million by cutting Rucker
Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:43:39 -0800

Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports the Carolina Panthers can clear $4.4 million from their salary cap if they cut DE Mike Rucker.

Ravens | Team undecided on Thomas
Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:06:32 -0800

Jamison Hensley, of the Baltimore Sun, reports the Baltimore Ravens are undecided on whether to use the franchise tag on LB Adalius Thomas. If they use the tag on Thomas, he will be paid $7.2 million.

Cowboys | Team not far along in contract talks with Colombo
Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:49:17 -0800

Nick Eatman, of DallasCowboys.com, reports the Dallas Cowboys are not far along in contract talks with OT Marc Colombo.

Vikings | No talks with Johnson
Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:57:00 -0800

Kevin Seifert and Judd Zulgad, of the Minnesota Star-Tribune, report the Minnesota Vikings have not held substantive contract talks with WR Bethel Johnson, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this year. Johnson appears poised to hit the open market.

Vikings | B. Johnson likely gone
Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:52:30 -0800

Kevin Seifert and Judd Zulgad, of the Minnesota Star-Tribune, report the Minnesota Vikings are expected to release veteran QB Brad Johnson this offseason. Johnson has a roster bonus due in March that the club might be unwilling to pay.

Possibly get Brad for at veteran minimum for a back-up?

[epicSocialism4tw]

Rucker would be a no-brainer.

Brad Johnson might be a little too stationary for this offense, but he would be a great mentor to Jay.

[Florida_Bronco]

I'd love to get Mike Rucker!

[BroncoBuff]

Rucker :thumbsup:

[Master___Pain]

I'd love to get Mike Rucker!

Someone sell me on Rucker. Looking at his numbers, he had one decent year and two good ones, while playing opposite of Julius Peppers and with a healthy Kris Jenkins in 2002 and 2003. He's also 32.

[listopencil]

Brad Johnson.

[Blueflame]

Seems to me I once read on this forum that Brad Johnson is an "elite" QB...

*ducks and runs for cover* Ha!

[Kaylore]

Brad Johnson.

Yes. I'd love to get a vet with that character and experience on the team to help out Jay. He'd be able to mentor him as he grows into a super-human warrior with a bionic arm.

[Florida_Bronco]

Someone sell me on Rucker. Looking at his numbers, he had one decent year and two good ones, while playing opposite of Julius Peppers and with a healthy Kris Jenkins in 2002 and 2003. He's also 32.

He'd probably come cheap and give us a good push for 2-3 years. He's always been a high motor type and if the price is right, we should take a serious look at him.

[OrangeShadow]

I dont know how rucker would produce without the talent around him in peppers.

[Master___Pain]

He'd probably come cheap and give us a good push for 2-3 years. He's always been a high motor type and if the price is right, we should take a serious look at him.

Sounds exactly like the DEs we already have. I don't want high motor..I want a play maker. As you say though if the price is right, perhaps it's worth a look. I do have concerns that his good seasons were with Peppers on the other side. When Peppers was hurt, not too much production. And 32 years old for a DE.....

[CSU Husker]

Sounds exactly like the DEs we already have. I don't want high motor..I want a play maker. As you say though if the price is right, perhaps it's worth a look. I do have concerns that his good seasons were with Peppers on the other side. When Peppers was hurt, not too much production. And 32 years old for a DE.....

You just dont like him cuz he is a Husker. ;)

[Master___Pain]

You just dont like him cuz he is a Husker. ;)

Any fusker not named Lawrence Phillips is fine with me if he makes the team better.

I have a feeling Florida would not be pimping him if he were not a fusker.;D

That said, his production has slipped in the last few years which coincides with being older and not having Jenkins for the last two seasons basically. Peppers has been seeing the double teams and still putting up numbers. I admit to not watching many Panthers games so I don't know if there's something else going on.

As for his durability, it appears he's only missed 5 games over his 8 year career. He appears to be a gamer.

[DBroncos4life]

I don't think Rucker has much left in him, but who knows.

[DBroncos4life]

Any fusker not named Lawrence Phillips is fine with me if he makes the team better.

I have a feeling Florida would not be pimping him if he were not a fusker.;D

That said, his production has slipped in the last few years which coincides with being older and not having Jenkins for the last two seasons basically. Peppers has been seeing the double teams and still putting up numbers. I admit to not watching many Panthers games so I don't know if there's something else going on.

As for his durability, it appears he's only missed 5 games over his 8 year career. He appears to be a gamer.

The one thing about him is he would be better VS the run. I'll give you that his stats look better because of the people around him but if it came down to keeping C. Brown or a healthy Rucker I would say Rucker. As far as his sack numbers go he did have 8 two years go and 5 this year. Thats about on par with our DEs.

[Florida_Bronco]

Any fusker not named Lawrence Phillips is fine with me if he makes the team better.

I have a feeling Florida would not be pimping him if he were not a fusker.;D

That said, his production has slipped in the last few years which coincides with being older and not having Jenkins for the last two seasons basically. Peppers has been seeing the double teams and still putting up numbers. I admit to not watching many Panthers games so I don't know if there's something else going on.

As for his durability, it appears he's only missed 5 games over his 8 year career. He appears to be a gamer.

Well at least we can all hate Phillips. ^5

I don't think Rucker is someone who we should give up much for, but if he comes cheap I think he'd be a help to this team. I won't be too upset if we pass on him though.

[watermock]

From watching the HornHeads, Johnson still throws a good ball, and knows how to get rid of it early if there is pressure. He's a classic backup vet at this point.

Rucker is an option I wouldn't mind.

We can't get real spendy.

[Florida_Bronco]

I'll tell you too, Master Pain, I hope your boy Crosby ends in Denver this year.

[Master___Pain]

The one thing about him is he would be better VS the run. I'll give you that his stats look better because of the people around him but if it came down to keeping C. Brown or a healthy Rucker I would say Rucker. As far as his sack numbers go he did have 8 two years go and 5 this year. Thats about on par with our DEs.

I would take Rucker all day over Brown. To me Brown is out of the picture. I have zero faith in him playing another down for the Broncos.

Rucker is better than Brown and Engleberger. I'd say he's basically the exact same as Ekuban and Lang and that Dummervil has more upside, obviously, than Rucker.

I guess I want someone that head and shoulders (or has the the potential to be) better than anyone on our roster. I think it's hard to say that Rucker is that guy.

If he's cheap and replaces CB, then by all means make it happen.

[Florida_Bronco]

I guess I want someone that head and shoulders (or has the the potential to be) better than anyone on our roster. I think it's hard to say that Rucker is that guy.

I want that too, unfortunately I don't know that the Broncos can afford it.

[Master___Pain]

I'll tell you too, Master Pain, I hope your boy Crosby ends in Denver this year.

I'll be shocked if Mason is in the Orange and Blue. I can't see him lasting to a spot where the broncos could afford to draft him. With the broncos needs 2nd is too high and he won't be there when they draft in the 3rd.

[azbroncfan]

Sounds exactly like the DEs we already have. I don't want high motor..I want a play maker. As you say though if the price is right, perhaps it's worth a look. I do have concerns that his good seasons were with Peppers on the other side. When Peppers was hurt, not too much production. And 32 years old for a DE.....

I agree, high motor=not very talented but plays hard. OVERACHIEVER

[DBroncos4life]

I would take Rucker all day over Brown. To me Brown is out of the picture. I have zero faith in him playing another down for the Broncos.

Rucker is better than Brown and Engleberger. I'd say he's basically the exact same as Ekuban and Lang and that Dummervil has more upside, obviously, than Rucker.

I guess I want someone that head and shoulders (or has the the potential to be) better than anyone on our roster. I think it's hard to say that Rucker is that guy.

If he's cheap and replaces CB, then by all means make it happen.

I would say he is on par with Ekuban and a tad better then Lang at this point. Ekuban tied his career high in sacks last year and he was hurt some so I think he has alot left in his tank. Rucker would be on the field more then Lang so maybe that would help keep Lang fresh. Kind of like what SF did with Bryant last year. Still Rucker is better vs the run the Ekuban and Lang so it does make the DLine better. Rucker does have more career sacks then those two as well, and neither Ekuban or Lang has gone over 10 sacks in a year something Rucker did do twice.

All that said adding him to the line doesn't make it that much better vs the pass but I think it does vs the run.

[Florida_Bronco]

I'll be shocked if Mason is in the Orange and Blue. I can't see him lasting to a spot where the broncos could afford to draft him. With the broncos needs 2nd is too high and he won't be there when they draft in the 3rd.

I guess it all depends on whether or not Shanny and Co see him as a need. If they want him, it probably wouldn't be too hard to move up and get him.

I agree, high motor=not very talented but plays hard. OVERACHIEVER

That's not what a high motor player is at all.

[Orange_Beard]

Yes on Rucker. No one else

[CSU Husker]

Any fusker not named Lawrence Phillips is fine with me if he makes the team better.

I have a feeling Florida would not be pimping him if he were not a fusker.;D

That said, his production has slipped in the last few years which coincides with being older and not having Jenkins for the last two seasons basically. Peppers has been seeing the double teams and still putting up numbers. I admit to not watching many Panthers games so I don't know if there's something else going on.

As for his durability, it appears he's only missed 5 games over his 8 year career. He appears to be a gamer.

I was just giving you crap! I actually agree that its questionable how much Rucker would have an impact. He definetly benefits from being part of one of the best D Lines in the league. That being said, I think he would be worthwhile if the price is right, but he isnt going to come in and dominate.

[Master___Pain]

I was just giving you crap! I actually agree that its questionable how much Rucker would have an impact. He definetly benefits from being part of one of the best D Lines in the league. That being said, I think he would be worthwhile if the price is right, but he isnt going to come in and dominate.

I know you were. I was just trying to get a better gauge on Rucker.

[MechanicalBull]

I wouldn't mind Brad Johnson coming in and being the backup to Cutler at all. He is a vet that could come in and win some games for you right away and has a good completion rate.

[chaz]

I personally think that our FA priorities should be:

1. Patrick Kerney
2. Brad Johnson
3. CB/S (samuel, clements, hamlin, grant, whoever)
4. Daniel Graham
5. Mike Rucker
6. No one else

[fontaine]

Rucker was a pretty good player.

But last Dec he shredded his knee into noodle soup (ACL, MCL). At 31 years old and with the injury that late in the year, I severely doubt he'll be ready to even practice come opening day next season.

Pass.

Rien Long.