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**RoyWilliams** · 08-29-2007, 10:21 PM

FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Rucker will be suspended for opener

Quote:

The Bengals have enjoyed a relatively quiet off-season when it comes to off-field player issues, but the previous legal problems of one backup defensive lineman have resulted in disciplinary action by the NFL.

Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker will be suspended for the team's Sept. 10 season-opener against Baltimore, FOXSports.com has learned.

Rucker pleaded guilty in May to one count of false imprisonment and one count of vandalism stemming from an August 2005 incident with an ex-girlfriend. Rucker, who wasn't charged until June 2006, had a count of spousal battery against him dropped as part of a plea deal and was sentenced to 36 months probation.

Rucker told FOXSports.com on Wednesday that he has appealed the suspension.

"We'll just see how it goes," Rucker said. "It's pretty much in someone else's hands right now. All I can do is continue to grow as a player. If I get it, I get it. If I don't, thank the Lord and I'm going to play as hard as I can (against Baltimore)."

"We're confident in the merits of our appeal of the suspension," agent J.R. Rickert said, according to The Associated Press. "We're not aware of any case where the personal conduct policy has been applied to a person for an offense that occurred while they were in college."

A 2006 third-round draft pick from Southern California, Rucker missed his entire rookie campaign because of a shoulder injury. Rucker is expected to contribute as part of Cincinnati's defensive line rotation this season, although he may miss Friday night's preseason finale against Indianapolis after aggravating a hamstring injury in Monday's 24-19 loss to Atlanta.

The suspension will cost Rucker $21,176.47 of his $360,000 base salary for 2007.

Rucker is the third Bengals player who will enter the season on the NFL's suspended list. Wide receiver Chris Henry was given an eight-game ban following four arrests in a 14-month span, while linebacker Odell Thurman remains suspended for a second consecutive season after being barred in 2006 for a series of problems related to drug and alcohol abuse.

Henry, a key member of Cincinnati's offense, is eligible for reinstatement after the first six games.

A Bengal suspended? Noooooo