Ryan Tucker

Rex Tucker for depth at tackle?

by tim

The Bears released T Rex Tucker. He's been injured a ton over the last few years, but was named a pro-bowl alternate in '01. I don't know anything about the guy... his injuries make him a big risk, but does anyone think he could add quality depth to the Rams' o-line?

- tim
- Channel: RAMS NATION TALK
-04-18-2005, 11:03 PM
Tucker Starts Fresh in St. Louis

by RamWraith

Sunday, June 5, 2005

By Nick Wagoner
Staff Writer

Rex Tucker has had about every freak injury that a professional football player can have. It�s that kind of bad luck that has him prepared for what might come next.

�My injury problems were just year after year after year,� Tucker said. �If I was in their shoes I would have done the same thing. I mean here is a guy that you invest a certain thing into and all of a sudden he just starts getting injured. I just couldn�t avoid it. I figured I would get hit by lightning next time. It was crazy so I didn�t know what to do.�

The former Bears� left guard�s list of injuries reads like a medical dictionary and dates to 2000. In every season since then Tucker has suffered an injury that has caused him to miss at least part of a game.

In 2000, Tucker played in six games, but suffered a concussion that left him inactive for five of the next six games.

In 2001, Tucker had his best season, starting all 16 regular season games and earning a spot as a Pro Bowl alternate. He couldn�t completely avoid the injury bug that year, though, as he suffered a strained right calf which caused him to miss time.

In 2002, Tucker started the first five games of the year before suffering a dislocated left ankle and fibular fracture against the Packers in the third quarter of the sixth game. After those injuries, Tucker wound up on the injured reserve list and missed the final 11 games of that season.

In 2003, Tucker seemed fully recovered from the previous injuries and was in good shape going into the Bears� final preseason game against the Patriots. On the final series of that game, Tucker suffered a torn tendon in his right ankle. He was placed on the injured reserve list for the entire season.

Last season, Tucker missed the first six games because of an elbow injury and, after playing in six games, finished the year on the injured reserve list because of a hamstring injury.

Finally fed up with all of Tucker�s injury problems and with a workout incentive bonus due, Chicago decided it was time to let Tucker go. The Bears released him on April 18.

Tucker loved his time in Chicago and has no ill will toward the Bears� organization.

�It�s just the business side of the deal,� Tucker said. �I love the Bears and I love all the guys there. I hope they win all their games unless they play us. It was great. I wish I would have stayed healthy. It just didn�t work out that way.�

It didn�t take much for Tucker to find his new home, though. A few important phone calls and about 48 hours later was all it took to land Tucker in St. Louis. Tucker, the brother of former Rams� tackle Ryan Tucker, called his brother soon after receiving a call from the Rams.

Ryan Tucker told his younger brother that St. Louis is a great place to play....
- Channel: RAMS NATION TALK
-06-05-2005, 05:28 PM
Veteran has made move to right tackle

by RamWraith

Veteran has made move to right tackle
BY STEVE KORTE
News-Democrat

ST. LOUIS - Rex Tucker doesn't get upset when people around Rams Park mistakenly call him by his older brother's first name.

Ryan Tucker played for the St. Louis Rams from 1997-2001 before signing with the Cleveland Browns.

Even Rams coach Mike Martz had a slip of the tongue, referring to Rex as Ryan during a recent press conference.

"My parents call us by our opposite names, so I have no problem with it," Rex Tucker said. "I'm used to it."

Ryan Tucker was the Rams' starting right tackle in 2000 and 2001. Now Rex Tucker is the team's starting right tackle after playing guard for his previous six seasons in the NFL with Chicago Bears.

"Looking at him out there, he's just like a duck to water," Rams coach Mike Martz said of Rex Tucker at right tackle. "That's where he belongs."

Rex Tucker, who was selected as an alternate to the Pro Bowl as a guard in 2001, came on strong at right tackle in the Rams' final two preseason games.

"The more time you play it, the more comfortable you'll be," Tucker said. "It's just the way it works."

Rex Tucker's learning curve at right tackle was accelerated by going against defensive end Leonard Little during practice and being tutored by former Rams right tackle Jackie Slater after practice.

Little, one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL, would make most right tackles look bad during one-on-one pass rushing drills.

"It's a blessing to have to practice against a guy like that," Tucker said. "That's the way you get better quickly. You have to, you have no choice."

Slater, who was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, was one of the best right tackles in NFL history.

"Who else is better to talk to about playing the right tackle position?" Martz said. "Who else is better than Jackie Slater? He has really helped him with his pass sets, just the technical aspect of his footwork and his hands and the punch and all those things."

It was Martz who after watching the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Rex Tucker in practice decided to move him to right tackle in an attempt to solidify a troublesome position.

"I can't tell you what a significant impact he has made on this offensive football team," Martz said. "That position, I don't worry about it. I really don't. Where he has come from a pass protection standpoint ... and with Tucker, his toughness in run blocking is a foregone conclusion. I'm just amazed at his performance. I'm excited about what he is going to do for our team.

"He's going to make some mistakes, but all he is going to do get better and better and better."

...
- Channel: RAMS NATION TALK
-09-05-2005, 03:09 PM
Ryan Tucker out with mental disorder

by ramsbruce

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Cleveland Browns starting right tackle Ryan Tucker is battling an undisclosed mental disorder and hopes to return to football next season, the team said Friday.

The loss of Tucker is the latest setback for the banged-up Browns, whose shaky offensive line already is missing Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley, out all season with a knee injury suffered on the first day of training camp. The Browns (3-8) play the Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) on Sunday in Cleveland.

Tucker, one of the Brown's captains, has been a steady leader for a rebuilding team. He was the team's most productive offensive lineman the past four seasons.

The Browns refused to disclose more details about Tucker's illness, saying only that it was a common disorder not related to football. The 10-year veteran hoped to return to football next season, the team said in a statement.

"It is a treatable disorder. Ryan has been battling this condition since before the season began, and has been actively receiving treatment. At this time, it is in his best interest to focus entirely on his medical treatment and concentrate on his recovery," team physician Anthony Miniaci said in a statement.

Tucker was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on Wednesday. He missed two games earlier in the season but returned to the starting lineup on Nov. 12. He played the first half of last week's game against Cincinnati before sitting out after halftime.

On Thursday, Browns general manager Phil Savage said he supported Tucker.

"Our concern is for him to get better and get his life back. He's really a good person and it's been a struggle. He's going to get through it," Savage said.

Miniaci said the team is optimistic Tucker will make a full recovery and play next season.

"Ryan has shown a significant amount of courage while battling this disorder," the doctor said.
- Channel: NFL TALK
-12-01-2006, 02:08 PM
Tucker brings a familiar presence back to Rams

by RamWraith

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch
Sunday, Jun. 05 2005

At first glance, the resemblance is startling. Rex Tucker looks like his older
brother Ryan, and has the west Texas drawl to match.

"He's like the same guy," center Andy McCollum said. "In fact, I called him
Ryan the other day. ... He has some of the same mannerisms and what not."

Then, McCollum, paused and deadpanned, "Yeah, it's good to have Ryan back."

A fourth-round draft pick by the Rams in 1997, Ryan Tucker spent five seasons
in St. Louis, including two years as the starting right tackle (2000, 2001),
before signing with Cleveland. Now along comes younger brother Rex, a
third-round draft choice by Chicago in 1999, who became a Bears salary cap
casualty shortly before this year's draft.

Rex was born a mere 18 months after Ryan in Midland, Texas, and the two were
inseparable growing up.

"We talk daily," Rex said. "We spend as much time as we can together when we're
not working. ... He's my favorite guy in the world."

Those daily conversations usually are about anything but football.

"Other stuff, man. Life stuff," said Rex, who's 28. "We're married with kids,
bro."

But the conversation couldn't help but be about football on April 20, when Rex
signed with the Rams just two days after his release in Chicago.

"He just told me, 'You'll love it there,'" Rex said. "So far, he's right."

Tucker has been installed immediately as the Rams' starting left guard, a
position that was a problem area all last season. What turned out to be a
career-ending hip injury to center Dave Wohlabaugh left the Rams scrambling to
find a left guard last August.

McCollum was switched back to center from left guard, where he had started in
2003. Chris Dishman and Tom Nutten were coaxed out of retirement to play left
guard. Before all was said and done, Dishman, Nutten, Scott Tercero and Larry
Turner all started at least one game at the position last season.

The Rams believe Tucker can fill the void this season, assuming he stays
healthy.

"He's an experienced veteran who's played at a high level - start there," coach
Mike Martz said. "He's 335 pounds. He's a guy that can stand on the line of
scrimmage and slug it out with those big tackles on defense.

"Those are hard guys to find. Plus, he's got the athleticism to be a good pass
blocker. ... He's just got to physically hold up."

Which was easier said than done in Chicago.

In 2001, Tucker started every game at left guard...
- Channel: RAMS NATION TALK
-06-06-2005, 04:24 AM

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