Rucker Still Optomistic Following Release from Chiefs

Former Eastern wide receiver Micah Rucker said he had an idea he wouldn’t be with the Kansas City Chiefs for long.

Rucker was signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad on Sept. 23 and then released seven days later on Sept. 30.

Rucker said the Chiefs - who beat the Denver Broncos 33-19 on Sept. 28 - wanted to bring in a wide receiver who could simulate Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

Rucker (6-foot-6, 220 pounds) was Marshall’s stand-in because the two have similar builds and styles.

Marshall is 6-foot-4 and weighs 230 pounds and has good speed for his size like Rucker.

“I tried to take it for what it was and work hard,” Rucker said. “I had a feeling I’d only be there for a week. I went out there and did the best I could and made some plays.”

The Chiefs signed former Chicago Bears wide receiver Mark Bradley on Oct. 1 and released wide receiver Marques Hagans, who had been promoted to Kansas City’s 53-man active roster on Sept. 10 after attending training camp with the St. Louis Rams. The Chiefs re-signed Hagans to their practice squad when they released Rucker.

Rucker said he felt like he had left a good impression with the Chiefs.

He said the Chiefs’ coaches told him he did a good job, and he said Kansas City offensive coordinator Chan Gailey told him he reminded Gailey of New York Giants’ wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

“I do have the talent to play,” Rucker said. “It’s just all about getting the opportunities. My main thing is just developing as a football player.”

Rucker said he is now back home in Florida continuing to work out.

He also said he will work on different aspects of receiving he said he feels he still needs to improve.

But he said he was hoping to be with another team soon.

“I have no idea where I’ll be next,” Rucker said. “Just like I was telling my mom the other day, ‘You’ll never know if it’ll be a good situation or what’s a good situation right now. You’ve just got to be ready when the opportunity comes.’”

Although he has been released by two teams in the past month, Rucker said he hasn’t let it get to him.

“I know how this business works,” Rucker said. “It’s a tough business. It’s about being in the right place at the right time. I haven’t gotten the right opportunity, and I don’t know if I’ve been in the right situation. As long as I keep working, everything will be OK.”

Chiefs add Micah Rucker to Practice Squad

Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson announced on Wednesday that the club has added WR Micah Rucker to its practice squad. As per Chiefs policy, no other terms of the agreement were made available.

Rucker (6-5, 219) originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Pittsburgh in 2008. He attended training camp with the Steelers, but was released prior to the start of the regular season. Rucker spent the first week of the 2008 season on Pittsburgh’s practice squad.

The Bonita Springs, Florida native started 24 games at Eastern Illinois after transferring from Minnesota. He was a two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference performer, finishing his collegiate career with 108 receptions for 1,819 yards (16.8 avg.) and 21 TDs. He prepped at Estero High School in Estero, Florida.

Rucker Hopes his Time is Thursday with Steelers

Micah Rucker is hoping Thursday night is his chance to show the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I think Thursday the starters may play a series,” the former Eastern Illinois wide receiver said. “I think pretty much I’ll have a full game.”

The Steelers’ final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers could determine whether the rookie free agent lands a spot on the Steelers roster for the regular season, is sent to the developmental practice squad or is sent packing with no job at all.

“You can feel the pressure in the air,” Rucker said Monday. “A few guys were let go today. Everyone is on their P’s and Q’s trying to do things right. You want to finish camp strong and make things as hard as you can on the coaches. All I can do is play as hard as I can and let God take care of the rest.”

Trying to learn routes for all three receiver positions with the Steelers, Rucker figures the Y spot works best for him, going inside and using his size.

But the 6-foot-6 two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference star is willing to fill any role, including special teams, for this NFL chance.

In the Steelers’ win the past Saturday, Rucker got into the game late for a two-minute drill but had no passes thrown to him.

“I’m feeling a little more comfortable,” he said. “We’ll see how things go.”

Rucker signs with Pittsburgh

Micah Rucker knew his future in the NFL when the Chicago Bears drafted Arkansas wide receiver Marcus Monk in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft with the 248th pick.

The Eastern senior wide receiver got a call from his agent with about 15 picks remaining in the draft that the Pittsburgh Steelers had offered him a free agent contract.

“(My agent) was saying if the Bears didn’t pick me with their last few picks, I would be a Steeler,” Rucker said. “It was just a sigh of relief. I’m just happy to get an opportunity.”

Rucker said he still has a lot of work left to do, but he said he was going to take the opportunity to play in the NFL and run with it. Rucker said he was not surprised with the free agency offer.

“From the whole get-go, I had heard and I was pretty much setting myself on being a priority free agent and anything sixth or seventh round would be a blessing,” Rucker said.

Rucker said he would be in a good situation at Pittsburgh because the Steelers had a need at wide receiver. Pittsburgh drafted Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed in the second round.

If Rucker makes Pittsburgh’s roster, he will be the Steelers’ second biggest wide receiver at 6 feet, 6 inches and 221 pounds.

“It’s truly going to be a blessing,” Rucker said about the chance to play in the NFL. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of.”

The Bears – who had four picks in the seventh round – also had needs at wide receiver, and Rucker said Chicago was a viable place for him to be drafted.

“I’m not sure if (Chicago) just didn’t know me as well,” Rucker said. “That’s kind of hard to say. I guess they had a different need. I’m anxious to get a chance to play some more football.”

Rucker said he would travel to Pittsburgh this week for a rookies’ mini-camp from Thursday to Sunday. He said he has been working hard on his strength, speed and wide receiver skills like route-running and catching, and he said he told the Pittsburgh coaching staff he was ready to play.

“I’ve been working hard,” Rucker said. “I just have to get acquitted to the way things work at this level. I’m just happy with the opportunity. I’m just looking forward to be able to take my game to another level. I’m just going to keep working my butt off.”

Rucker finished the 2007 season with 777 receiving yards nine touchdowns on 55 receptions. He had 104 receptions, 22 touchdowns and 1,743 yards during his two-year Eastern career after transferring from Minnesota.

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