Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Sports

Former Eastern wide receiver Micah Rucker looks for a hole after catching a 22-yard pass and being surrounded by Purdue's defense on Sept. 28, 2007. Rucker was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 30.(File Photo|Daily Eastern News)

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."


Scott Richey can be reached at 581-7944 or at srrichey@eiu.edu.

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