| REGISTER TO WIN | |
 |
Rucker
Rucker joined Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow as an All-America tight end at Missouri last season, and he just may be the successor to Kellen Winslow Jr. with the Cleveland Browns.
It may happen a lot sooner than later.
Even with Winslow coming off an 82-catch season, the Browns traded into the fourth round in last weekend’s draft and selected Rucker, who led all NCAA tight ends with 84 receptions in 2007.
Winslow, who turns 25 in July, is coming off his fourth surgery on the right knee he injured in a 2005 motorcycle accident. He also had surgery the previous year on his right fibula.
Also, after earning a Pro Bowl trip as first alternate, Winslow hired Drew Rosenhaus and began calling for a new contract, even though his current deal has three years to run. So by drafting Rucker, the Browns indicated they may be concerned with Winslow’s longevity in Cleveland.
“We really like Martin Rucker,” Browns general manager Phil Savage told reporters, “but I think that always has to be in the backdrop. Kellen has had another offseason of medical concerns.
“(Tight end) may not be a need today, but as we found out a few years ago it could be a need in a week, two weeks or two months. I don’t think you can have enough good players.”
Winslow has not participated in the team conditioning program, choosing to work out in San Diego until the club’s mandatory minicamp in June.
One knock against Rucker going into the draft was he did not block in Missouri’s spread offense.
To that, Savage said, “How many tight ends really do block in this league? You can’t name one that’s known as a blocker, I bet. No one’s a blocker. It’s a pass-catching league, and this guy’s a pass catcher.”
Inside the war room
Here’s how fast things can change on draft day. The Patriots were on the clock in the third round and were prepared to select Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable.
They telephoned Crable, and while they were about to give him the good news, the Patriots received a call from San Diego wondering if the pick — 69th overall — was for sale. The Chargers would give the Patriots a 2009 second-rounder and a 2008 fifth-rounder.
The Patriots apologized to Crable and told him something had come up, but if he was still available on their next pick, the 84th overall, they’d take him.
That’s exactly how it unfolded as the Patriots traded back into the round and took him on the first of their third-round picks.
Hit the Rhodes
Running back Dominic Rhodes was the first casualty of Oakland’s selecting Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick in the draft.
Rhodes, who signed with Oakland as an unrestricted free agent last year after helping Indianapolis win the Super Bowl, was not very happy after being released last week.
“I don’t see the reason why the Raiders needed to draft a running back,” Rhodes said on NFL Radio.
“We had like a stable full of running backs that are capable, that ran for a hundred yards, every one of them, and we went and drafted a guy that — he’s a great runner, don’t get me wrong — but I don’t really think (coach) Lane Kiffin wanted to take a running back in the first round, let’s just put it like that.”
Rhodes believed the Raiders, who allowed a league-most 4.8 yards per carry last season, would have been better served by taking someone like LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, whom the Chiefs took with the next pick, but owner Al Davis wanted McFadden.
“When you know you need to stop the run and you don’t get somebody to stop the run …” Rhodes said. “(Kiffin) doesn’t really have a chance because somebody else is in control all the time.”
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.