Panthers DE Rucker Retires

Panthers defensive end Mike Rucker announced his retirement Wednesday.  Rucker spent his entire nine-season career with the Panthers, and his 553 tackles rank second in team history.  He has also 55-and-a-half sacks, which is just a half-sack behind team leader Julius Peppers.  Rucker played all 16 games in six of his nine seasons and was a key member of the Panthers team that reached the Super Bowl in 2003.  The former Nebraska star was Carolina’s second-round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.  The 33-year-old Rucker says he intends to remain in the Charlotte area.