Cardinals free agent DT Frostee Rucker reportedly visited Jets
Apr 17, 2018, 2:23 PM
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates his sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars with defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals free agent defensive tackle Frostee Rucker recently visited with the New York Jets, ESPN’s Field Yates reported on Tuesday.
Rucker, who will turn 35 in the first month of the 2018 season, played for Arizona the last five seasons and in 2017 produced 29 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one pass defensed.
If the veteran entering his 14th NFL season were to join the Jets and head coach Todd Bowles, the former Arizona defensive coordinator, he would be the latest free agent to leave the Cardinals to join a former Cardinals DC elsewhere.
This offseason, free agent outside linebacker Kareem Martin and released defensive end Josh Mauro joined new Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher, who coached Arizona’s defense from 2015-17. Both were regularly-used backups a year ago.
The Cardinals have been hit by losses along the defensive line beyond that during free agency. Restricted free agent Xavier Williams was signed away by the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving tackles Corey Peters, Robert Nkemdiche, Olsen Pierre, Rodney Gunter and Peli Anau on Arizona’s roster.
The 29-year-old Peters signed a three-year contract extension in December.
In first-year coach Steve Wilks’ new 4-3 scheme, that defensive tackle group could make up the interior lineman rotation while Chandler Jones and Markus Golden lead the depth chart of edge rushers.
Jones and Golden, who under Bettcher’s 3-4 scheme were listed as outside linebackers, have been relabeled as defensive ends on Arizona’s roster.
