Where are they now? Ross Tucker

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.republicanherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18552553&BRD=2626&PAG=461&dept_id=529073&rfi=6

For Ross Tucker, there’s nothing more exciting about playing football than running into somebody as hard as he can and knocking them over.

Entering his seventh year in the National Football League, Tucker has a lot of experience knocking people over.

An undrafted offensive lineman out of Princeton, the 28-year-old Tucker has played for five NFL teams in six years and has 25 career starts.

He signed a free-agent contract with the Washington Redskins last March.

But as an offensive lineman, Tucker also has a lot of experience getting knocked over.

How he’s dealt with the ups and downs of being an NFL journeyman is a big reason why the Pine Grove Township resident was running through cones, maneuvering through bags and doing agility drills last week with the Pine Grove Area High School team.

The 6-foot-5, 313-pound Tucker has been cut four times and traded once, and spent the entire 2006 season out of football.

He’s hoping to make the most of his second stint with the Redskins, who begin training camp July 27 in Ashburn, Va.

“More than anything, I’m continuing my career because I love it so much,” said Tucker, who married Tri-Valley High School grad Kara Koppenhaver in 2005. The couple moved to Pine Grove Township last fall.

“I’m pretty confident that when football is over I’ll be able to provide a good living for my family,” Tucker continued. “But I don’t feel like I’ll ever get a chance to replicate that feeling being out on the field in front of that many people.

“When I go into a summer camp or training camp and think about not playing any more ... it’s hard to even think about that.”

Cleveburgh dumping him made little sense to me at the time, I thought he had played well too. Cheap bastiches didn't want to give the Pats a draft pick or pay Ross' salary. Nice to see he's still fighting hard for his dream. Good luck Ross, I hope you're there when Tommy finally gets his win over the Redskins.

 

[rabthepat]

Not easy making it in the NFL.

 

[Pats726]

If I remember..he had a emotional problem...bi-polar?? OR some chemical imbalamce...he's been fighting a LOT of things....I really wish him well!!!

 

[psychoPat]

Fascinating.

When we got him (briefly), i thought he was
Can't Lose.

Shows how well we see things from here.

But, yeah, good luck Ross. All the best!

 

[DaBruinz]

There are rumors that Phil and Romeo having been butting heads and that all is not well in Cleveland Country.....

Which could spell the end of Romeo after this season regardless of what happens.

 

[captain stone]

If I remember..he had a emotional problem...bi-polar?? OR some chemical imbalamce...he's been fighting a LOT of things....I really wish him well!!!

Isn't it Ryan Tucker who has had emotional issues, and not Ross Tucker?

I thought he was a great in-season pickup for the NEP in '05: big, smart, and versatile. I was very disappointed when he was traded during the '06 pre-season, esp. because that meant that Mruc had a better chance of making the 53.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Isn't it Ryan Tucker who has had emotional issues, and not Ross Tucker?

I thought he was a great in-season pickup for the NEP in '05: big, smart, and versatile. I was very disappointed when he was traded during the '06 pre-season, esp. because that meant that Mruc had a better chance of making the 53.

I certainly don't recall the bi-polar issue Stan is thinking about. I liked what I saw of Ross, though I found it hard to pick between him and Mruc, for low cost/high effort back-ups who are likely to be around when you need someone you can't complain about them.

 

[Pats726]

Isn't it Ryan Tucker who has had emotional issues, and not Ross Tucker?

I thought he was a great in-season pickup for the NEP in '05: big, smart, and versatile. I was very disappointed when he was traded during the '06 pre-season, esp. because that meant that Mruc had a better chance of making the 53.

you know what??? I think u may be right...my apologies....I guess I had the wrong Tucker...my bad....thank you for the correction!!!

 

[RayClay]

I thought he'd be a fixture at backup C-G for us. They seemed to love him in Buffalo, from what I read.

Shows how much i know.

 

[Pats726]

I certainly don't recall the bi-polar issue Stan is thinking about. I liked what I saw of Ross, though I found it hard to pick between him and Mruc, for low cost/high effort back-ups who are likely to be around when you need someone you can't complain about them.

It was teh other Tucker.....can't seem to keep track of them...I liked him as well...really thought he'd help the Brownies out..but?? Skins for him!!

 

[Mike the Brit]

Got to love those Ivy League boys who dedicate themselves to football ...

 

[captain stone]

I certainly don't recall the bi-polar issue Stan is thinking about. I liked what I saw of Ross, though I found it hard to pick between him and Mruc, for low cost/high effort back-ups who are likely to be around when you need someone you can't complain about them.

It wasn't hard for me. I'd take Ross Tucker over Mruc, or Elgin; not even close. Tucker v. Yates is a much closer call; in fact, when Yates was IR'ed, Tucker should have been re-signed, instead of the weak, useless Mruc.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

It wasn't hard for me. I'd take Ross Tucker over Mruc, or Elgin; not even close. Tucker v. Yates is a much closer call; in fact, when Yates was IR'ed, Tucker should have been re-signed, instead of the weak, useless Mruc.

You've obviously seen more of them then I have, other then a handful of game reps in short yardage situations, and some preseason work, I haven't seen much of either. I know Tucker was doing well in Buffalo before the FO canned him and upset the lockerroom, I certainly thought he would do well for Cleveburgh...Savage the Sage has not sold me on his personnel prowess.

 

[tailgater]

Here's a good story about him. He seems to have a lot of smarts, and used them to 'become the driving force and co-owner of Gobigrecruiting.com".

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070708/SPORTS01/107080066/1005/SPORTS