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The Cleveland Browns have signed defensive end Frostee Rucker, a league source confirmed to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer. She broke the news on Twitter:
League source confirmed #browns are signing former #bengals de frostee Rucker today. 4 sacks and 44 tackles in '11.
Rucker is not someone that I specifically saw the Browns signing, however the move does seem to coincide with GM Tom Heckert's usual trend of getting second or third tier guys rather than spending top-dollar on big name free agents.
As Cabot points out, Rucker recorded four sacks and 44 combines tackles in 11 starts for the Bengals last season. He was the third round pick, 91 overall, in 2006 by the Bengals, but didn't have his best year until 2011.
UPDATE: The deal is reported to be worth $21 million over five years with more than $8 million guaranteed.
UPDATE: (3/15/12) It's official. The Browns have announced that the deal officially Thursday morning. Check out the release on the team's website.
What do you think about the Browns signing DE Frostee Rucker? Do you think he's an upgrade on what we have, or is just adding depth? Do you think he'll have a significant impact in 2012 for the Browns?