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Lockout a grind for Rucker and free agents
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Chris Rucker spent Monday morning on a football practice field.
He’s looking forward to a day when that’s no longer newsworthy.
“Hopefully something will happen with the lockout this week,” said Rucker, a Michigan State cornerback who was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round in April, just before the NFL lockout started. “I’m just trying to stay in shape and get my body right, so when the lockout ends, I’ll be ready to go.”
Rucker, a Warren Harding High graduate, spent Monday as a guest instructor at Ursuline’s annual youth camp. He was there with his former high school teammate, Sidney Glover.
Rucker has the benefit of knowing where he’ll play when the two sides settle. Glover, who went undrafted out of West Virginia, doesn’t have that luxury.
“My goal is to play in the NFL and not being drafted didn’t stop that goal,” Glover said. “I’ll be fine. I think I’ll get signed in the next couple weeks when the lockout is over and I’ll get in there and make some noise.”
Rucker (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) started nine of 10 games last season and earned honorable mention all-Big Ten but his draft stock was hurt by a DUI arrest in October. He’s got a clean slate with the Colts and had nothing but good things to say about the organization.
“They’ve got great players, great coaches and they always make the playoffs,” he said. “It’s just a good organization to be a part of.
“Right now I’m just trying to prove myself, prove that I belong and make a name for myself.”
Glover (5-11, 207), a three-year starter, started 11 of 12 games last fall for the Mountaineers. He said he’s been working out every day but admits the mental part of the lockout is sometimes more challenging than the physical.
“It’s just a consistent grind,” he said. “You’re always working and hoping for the best and trying to believe in something that’s not there.
“Hopefully I’ll get on a team that really believes in me and really gives me an opportunity to show what I’ve got. I want to get in there and show them what I can do and who that I probably should have been drafted.”
Former Akron running back Alex Allen, an Ursuline High graduate, is in the same situation. Allen went undrafted after rushing for nearly 900 yards for the Zips last fall.
“I’m just staying in shape, getting ready for when the lockout is over,” he said. “I wake up every morning and still do everything as if I was already in a training camp.”
Allen said being around kids “gave me new life and makes me work harder.”
“Up in Akron, they’re already doing workouts and passing scrimmages and I miss that right now,” he said.
Glover agreed.
“I haven’t played football since ... it seems like forever,” he said. “I just enjoy being on the field, seeing kids playing football and loving the game.
“At this age [students up through eighth grade], it’s just about enjoyment for the game.”