Martin Rucker

[KingintheNorth]

How is he doing in camp? Does he have a chance to make the 53?

John Phillips will be missed but I thought this was a really good signing. I know he didn't really come through with the Browns or Eagles but this guy was a weapon at Mizzou. I know we're talkiing 3rd TE here but still, I think he could be a steal.

 

[Alexander]

How is he doing in camp? Does he have a chance to make the 53?

John Phillips will be missed but I thought this was a really good signing. I know he didn't really come through with the Browns or Eagles but this guy was a weapon at Mizzou. I know we're talkiing 3rd TE here but still, I think he could be a steal.

It is hard to tell how he is doing from just a couple of walk through practices.

But unless we get another tight end at the cuts, he will probably make the team for lack of a better choice. Posiask and Farr simply are not good enough. Rucker has some good measureables and has the ironic distinction as being one of the players Phil Savage took with the pick we gave the Browns in the Brady Quinn trade.

 

[jterrell]

It's basically between Rucker and a 2nd FB.

So, the easy money is on Rucker.

He is far and away the lightest blocking TE we would have carried in years if he makes it however.

 

[The Quest for Six]

How is he doing in camp? Does he have a chance to make the 53?

John Phillips will be missed but I thought this was a really good signing. I know he didn't really come through with the Browns or Eagles but this guy was a weapon at Mizzou. I know we're talkiing 3rd TE here but still, I think he could be a steal.

third tightend that makes this roster will probably come down to Rucker and Sicko

 

[chicago JK]

third tightend that makes this roster will probably come down to Rucker and Sicko

I think it will come down to Rucker (who i haven't seen yet) and a late TE release from another team. I don't think Sicko is going to get a strong look at the 53.

 

[RS12]

I seem to remember Rucker having fairly high draft grades coming out of UM.

 

[Stash]

The team definitely wanted him. They claimed him twice and waited for his hamstring to heal.

If the team does keep 3 TE's (which I am doubting), I think Rucker gets the spot.

 

[jswalker1981]

I seem to remember Rucker having fairly high draft grades coming out of UM.

From the War Room Report:

Missouri TE Martin Rucker Scouting Report
Height: 6-4, Weight: 251
Strengths: Martin Rucker is one of the better route running tight ends in the 2008 NFL Draft…Rucker is every bit the red zone threat as the other top tier TE prospects…Martin Rucker matriculated from an offensive minded scheme at Missouri…Martin Rucker has a solid frame, and still has room to get stronger…Martin Rucker has the versatility to line up at several positions including split out at WR, FB, and HB…Martin Rucker has the ability to go up and pluck the ball out of the air…

Weaknesses: Martin Rucker is going to need a good amount of tutelage in the art of pass and run blocking at the next level…Martin Rucker has solid hands, but unspectacular hands…Martin Rucker does not possess top end speed or quickness so he may be able to be defended by a linebacker at the NFL level…there are concerns that Rucker is more of a finesse player than a physically imposing one…there is not one area of Martin Rucker’s game that he can hang his hat on and say any one aspect is extraordinary…all in all, Martin Rucker is a solid prospect, but his upside is limited…

Overall: The advantage of selecting a prospect the likes of Martin Rucker over Fred Davis or Dustin Keller is that you do not have to disguise him in certain offensive schemes in order for him to be effective. Martin Rucker is built in the mold of the traditional TE, so teams will not have to split him off the line of scrimmage, Rucker can line up immediately to the left or right of the offensive tackle and assist in the passing game as well as the rushing attack.

http://warroomreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=202&Itemid=1

He is also #70 on USA Today's top 100 players heading into the combine. I thought I'd add the link to this, because it has a little write up for each of the top 64 players.

It has Mike Jenkins at 10, Felix Jones at 21, And Martellus Bennett at 43 (perfect description).

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-02-19-top-64-players_N.htm

 

[Alexander]

The team definitely wanted him. They claimed him twice and waited for his hamstring to heal.

If the team does keep 3 TE's (which I am doubting), I think Rucker gets the spot.

I don't think it is a question of keeping 3 TEs. If it isn't Rucker, it will be someone else. There is no way we carry 2 FBs instead. We do not have two worth a roster spot.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Strengths: Martin Rucker is one of the better route running tight ends in the 2008 NFL Draft…Rucker is every bit the red zone threat as the other top tier TE prospects…Martin Rucker matriculated from an offensive minded scheme at Missouri…Martin Rucker has a solid frame, and still has room to get stronger…Martin Rucker has the versatility to line up at several positions including split out at WR, FB, and HB…Martin Rucker has the ability to go up and pluck the ball out of the air…

Weaknesses: Martin Rucker is going to need a good amount of tutelage in the art of pass and run blocking at the next level…Martin Rucker has solid hands, but unspectacular hands…Martin Rucker does not possess top end speed or quickness so he may be able to be defended by a linebacker at the NFL level…there are concerns that Rucker is more of a finesse player than a physically imposing one…there is not one area of Martin Rucker’s game that he can hang his hat on and say any one aspect is extraordinary…all in all, Martin Rucker is a solid prospect, but his upside is limited…

I forgot, who is this scouting report about again?

 

[Stash]

I don't think it is a question of keeping 3 TEs. If it isn't Rucker, it will be someone else. There is no way we carry 2 FBs instead. We do not have two worth a roster spot.

No, I wasn't suggesting that.

I'm more thinking that they may have to go with two TE's and Gronkowski, a more versatile player, as the lone fullback, in order to go 'long' at the safety and offensive line spots.

That's why I believe that they're trying to trade Sam Hurd for a draft pick, so that they can go with 5 receivers as well.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I forgot, who is this scouting report about again?

Taylor Mays?

 

[jswalker1981]

I forgot, who is this scouting report about again?

:laugh2:

Probably Rucker Martin.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The team definitely wanted him. They claimed him twice and waited for his hamstring to heal.

If the team does keep 3 TE's (which I am doubting), I think Rucker gets the spot.

I would think that they have to keep three TEs. If you run a Two TE system, which we do, you have to have at least 3.

 

[Stash]

I would think that they have to keep three TEs. If you run a Two TE system, which we do, you have to have at least 3.

I fully expect them to keep at least one on the practice squad (Sicko).

And as for the two TE system?

Meh.

I haven't seen the return-on-investment yet.

 

[Alexander]

No, I wasn't suggesting that.

I'm more thinking that they may have to go with two TE's and Gronkowski, a more versatile player, as the lone fullback, in order to go 'long' at the safety and offensive line spots.

If we carry a FB they need to be able to lead block. That player is not Gronkowski, who is more of a receiver. If it came down to that, I would go ahead and keep the experienced TE in Rucker.

You can "go long" at safety without stripping the roster at FB and TE. I do not think it is necessary to carry more than 10 lineman, which honestly is about all we have that can play. Trim your QB who is not exactly lighting up the league and it is settled. I expect one or two roster spots to be fluid but I do think that means we carry the best players, not necessarily those that fit because of versatility.

That's why I believe that they're trying to trade Sam Hurd for a draft pick, so that they can go with 5 receivers as well.

Easier said than done. I do not believe we will cut him, nor should we give him away just so we can carry an inferior player. I am hardly a fan, but he's definitely among the best 53 we are carrying right now, regardless of position.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I think Rucker is on the 53 as of right now. But he's also competing against a TE(s) the Cowboys possibly have their eye on who may get cut from another team. Obviously i have no idea who that player(s) may be.

But they seem to really like Rucker. They liked him coming out during the draft process and they tried to claim him twice off waivers. So if he proves to be the player they thought he was, he likely makes the 53.

 

[Stash]

If we carry a FB they need to be able to lead block. That player is not Gronkowski, who is more of a receiver. If it came down to that, I would go ahead and keep the experienced TE in Rucker.

He's not the blocker Anderson is, but Deon is a one trick pony who is a liability in all other phases. I think Gronkowski's versatility wins out.

You can "go long" at safety without stripping the roster at FB and TE. I do not think it is necessary to carry more than 10 lineman, which honestly is about all we have that can play. Trim your QB who is not exactly lighting up the league and it is settled. I expect one or two roster spots to be fluid but I do think that means we carry the best players, not necessarily those that fit because of versatility.

I think you give the developmental QB you took at the top of round 4 more than one year to develop before moving on. I'd rather put Sicko on the practice squad in reserve than to pull the plug on McGee too soon.

Easier said than done. I do not believe we will cut him, nor should we give him away just so we can carry an inferior player. I am hardly a fan, but he's definitely among the best 53 we are carrying right now, regardless of position.

Given the futures at both the offensive line and receiver position, I just think there's "no room at the inn" for Sam Hurd.

I think the team needs to keep the young linemen and I think they believe that Hudgins can develop for a year on the practice squad.

Those things add up to the end for Hurd in Dallas in my opinion.