Latest news with #Rucker
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens May Have Found a Diamond in the Rough
The Baltimore Ravens are a perennial Super Bowl contender because of quarterback Lamar Jackson and the superstar talent he's surrounded with. From running back Derrick Henry to safety Kyle Hamilton, corner Marlon Humphrey to Roquan Smith, there is talent littered across the roster. While not a significant weakness, there is far less star power along the edge, where the Ravens will hope to maintain the sack rates they posted in 2024. Only the Denver Broncos (63) had more than their 54 sacks. Advertisement That process began in the second round with the selection of Marshall edge rusher Mike Green. It continued on Tuesday when Baltimore signed North Carolina edge rusher Kaimon Rucker. In doing so, the Ravens may find a diamond in the rough, largely thanks to a key part of Rucker's profile. He's not an undrafted-level talent. Rather, he was a projected Day 3 pick who fell due to a laundry list of injuries. Of course, that makes his profile riskier than many of his peers. As an undrafted free agent, though, Baltimore is only incurring the opportunity cost of his 90-man roster spot. Further, The Athletic's Dane Brugler gave him a sixth-round grade and compared him to Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. Advertisement 'Rucker, who received the nickname 'The Butcher' after former defensive line coach Tim Cross described him as a 'rolling ball of butcher knives,' is an explosive linear athlete and attacks the hips of blockers to win with natural leverage,' Brugler wrote. 'He can be covered up at times in the run game, but his discipline and fast, physical hands help him punch off blocks.' Rucker won't be handed a starting job anytime soon, but his chances to make the 53-man roster shouldn't be discarded. He's incredibly athletic, plays with a hot motor, and his initial hand usage is encouraging. There is work to be done with his counters, and his measurables (6-1, 254) limit his upside. As a rotational pass rusher, there is still a path to playing time if he can do enough in training camp this summer. No undrafted free agent is an overwhelming bet to make the Week 1 roster or make a big impact as a rookie. All one can ask for is a path and enough talent to stay afloat. In Baltimore, Rucker has both. Related: Ravens Signing Lamar To New Contract Would Solve $74.5M Problem Related: Ravens BREAKING As 2025 NFL Schedule Becomes Official
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Star UNC pass rusher signed by reigning AFC North Champions
Star UNC pass rusher signed by reigning AFC North Champions Can this former Tar Heel star make a final, 53-man NFL roster? Despite playing in just eight of UNC's 13 football games during the 2024 college football season, Kaimon Rucker still found plentiful ways to contribute during his final season in Chapel Hill. Rucker started six of the eight contests he appeared in, totaling 30 tackles (16 solo), eight tackles for loss (fourth on the Tar Heels), six sacks (third on North Carolina), three quarterback hurries, an interception and pass breakup apiece. Rucker's best game was during UNC's 41-14 domination of Virginia, when he set season highs of 3.5 TFLs and three sacks. While Rucker didn't hear his name called in April's NFL Draft, his valuable contributions – over five years as a Tar Heel – proved he deserves a shot at professional football. Rucker's dreams of continuing his football career recently came true. On Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens signed Rucker as a UDFA (undrafted free agent). Rucker, who also earned Second Team All-ACC Honors in 2023, joins a Baltimore squad that proves to maximize its defensive players' talent. Despite sporting the NFL's second-worst pass defense (244.1 yards per game allowed) in their 2024-2025 campaign, the Ravens were amongst the NFL's best at generating pressure and sacking the quarterback. Kyle Van Noy recorded a career-high 12.5 sacks, while former Penn State linebacker Odafe Oweh notched 10 sacks. In total, 13 Ravens tallied multiple sacks. Rucker sported solid numbers across his 5-year UNC career: 180 total tackles (100 solo), 38.5 TFLs and 22 sacks. He'll look to improve upon those numbers in what we hope is a successful NFL career. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
NBC Sports
13-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Ravens agree to terms with undrafted rookie Kaimon Rucker
The Ravens are signing undrafted free agent Kaimon Rucker, Jeff Zrebiec of reports. The North Carolina outside linebacker had a tryout at the Eagles' rookie minicamp. The Ravens had an open spot on their 90-player roster and now have a 21-player undrafted free agent class. Rucker played five seasons at North Carolina and earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2023. His 2024 season was cut short with a fractured fibula, but he made 16 tackles and six sacks in eight games. In his career, Rucker made 100 tackles, 22 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Newsweek
03-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
I Trusted My Expertise as a Brain Doctor—But I Missed the Signs of Cancer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Waking up in the morning with a migraine, I automatically assumed it was from the one alcoholic drink I had the night before at a neuropsychology conference. However, as the day went on, I felt like my walking wasn't coordinated and my vision just didn't feel right, but I was in denial. It wasn't until the end of the day that I got concerned and realized I couldn't see the presentation being projected on the screen. I don't know why I didn't go to the ER, but I didn't. Instead, I saw my primary-care physician (whom I've been seeing for 30 years) the next day, and he explained that he suspected a possible stroke, multiple sclerosis, or myasthenia gravis. He told me to get an MRI right away. I called to get an MRI, and the imaging place told me they could schedule me about 10 days out, but I knew I couldn't wait that long. I've been in the medical field for about 20 years, so I used my contacts and got an appointment right away with Dr. Rucker, a neuro-ophthalmologist at NYU Langone, because I realized my blurred vision was actually double vision. She got me an MRI the same day I saw her. From left: Gerald Voelbel sits at his work desk; and rests in a hospital bed. From left: Gerald Voelbel sits at his work desk; and rests in a hospital bed. Jon King/provided by Gerald Voelbel My knowledge and experience as a cognitive neuroscientist did help, because the symptoms I was experiencing (double vision, poor balance, poor coordination) didn't seem to me to be stroke symptoms. Because of what I know about the vestibular system, I thought it had something to do with the peripheral vestibular nervous system, which affects vertigo and eye control—exactly what I was experiencing. I just wasn't expecting the cause or the location of the damage. Most causes of vertigo are temporary, affecting the vestibular apparatus, which is why I wasn't too concerned at first. After I met with Rucker initially, it seemed to be a peripheral nervous system condition, Miller Fisher syndrome, based on a preliminary blood test. So, I accepted it, and we agreed that it would be a "working label" for what I was experiencing until more tests came back. Rucker continued investigating, as the diagnosis remained unclear despite normal blood tests, MRIs, and an initial spinal tap. A second tap showed high protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid, raising the possibility of Miller-Fisher syndrome. A sample was sent to the Mayo Clinic, where standard cancer biomarkers were negative, but an experimental one was abnormal. This led to further testing—including a CT scan, biopsy, and PET scan—which confirmed lymphoma as the immune-driven cause of the neurological symptoms. On return from my 25-year wedding anniversary trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize, I was diagnosed with two types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the same time: a slow-growing cancer where abnormal B cells form clusters in the lymph nodes called Follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This is fast-growing, with larger abnormal B cells that spread more diffusely and require urgent treatment. Around four weeks later, on July 31, 2019, I started treatment. Because my lymphoma might have spread to my brain, since I had some nerve-related symptoms, I needed special treatment. From left: Gerald Voelbel rests in hospital following a treatment session; and is joined by his wife, Richelle, and daughter Sydney. From left: Gerald Voelbel rests in hospital following a treatment session; and is joined by his wife, Richelle, and daughter Sydney. Gerald Voelbel First, I received a chemotherapy drug called methotrexate, injected directly into my spinal fluid through a procedure called a spinal tap. I had this done four times to make sure the medicine could reach my brain and spinal cord. At the same time, I also had a strong chemotherapy treatment called R-CHOP, which is a mix of five different medicines. These medicines work together to kill cancer cells and help stop them from spreading. I received R-CHOP through an IV drip every three weeks and had six rounds in total. For the double vision, I saw two occupational therapists who specialize in vision therapy. Vision therapy involves exercises and activities that improve the movement of the eyes. I believe my expertise in neuroplasticity helped my vision and balance recovery, by seeking occupational and physical therapists to help treat the double vision and poor balance. The therapists provided exercises, which I viewed as building and strengthening neural pathways. I believe that doing those exercises with the therapists and on my own helped improve my eyes and balance. Voelbel, right, joined by his daughter and wife, rings the cancer-free bell. Voelbel, right, joined by his daughter and wife, rings the cancer-free bell. Gerald Voelbel I went into remission in December 2019 and started rituximab treatments in January 2020 to prevent the cancer from returning. When COVID-19 hit, I paused treatments after four sessions to rebuild my immune system and get vaccinated. I restarted the cancer drug nine months later and completed it by August 2022. To celebrate, I got scuba-certified and dove in the Red Sea in January 2023. Almost a year later, I had a scare with daily migraines and worsening double vision, but tests showed no new cancer. Instead, it was paraneoplastic cerebellar syndrome, where antibodies attacked my brain. This led Rucker to publish the findings in the journal The Cerebellum that lymphoma led to disruption of the cerebellum causing double vision. My own research has grown by understanding, connecting with, and having greater appreciation for the people who participate in my research studies and the students who assist me. Even though people with brain injuries join my research at least a year after their injury, I understand, now more than ever, how sudden changes impact their lives and their families. I remember 2019, when I had time to get a will and put my affairs in order for my wife if I died. People with traumatic injuries often don't get that opportunity. I recognize more than ever that each individual has a strength—whether it's humor, storytelling, organizational skills, or a strong memory—and they can use these strengths to survive and persevere. They want family and friends' support. They want to contribute to society through work or volunteering. They want to feel needed and not outcast. I feel it is more crucial than ever that I help identify ways to improve cognitive recovery in people living with chronic cognitive deficits from TBI [traumatic brain injury], which is my area of expertise. But my legacy will be defined by the impact I have on the people I train, the people I love in my life, and the kindness I share.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WV governor signs bills eliminating Equal Opportunity office, exempting some teens from work permits
The West Virginia Capitol in Charleston, (West Virginia Legislative Photography) Gov. Patrick Morrisey has signed dozens of Republican-backed bills into law, including measures officially eliminating the state's Office of Equal Opportunity and rolling back work permit requirements for some teenagers. The bills were among 73 measures signed by Morrisey April 25 ahead of the governor's bill signing deadline by the end of the day Wednesday. In total, the governor has signed 161 bills, and on Monday, Morrisey said in a post on social media platform X that another 48 bills will be signed and shared in the coming days. 'The final 40 bills are under close review, as we continue to research them and see whether there are adequate arguments to approve these bills to determine whether they should become law,' Morrisey wrote. 'For the future, folks should know that if your bill costs taxpayers money and you haven't provided an offset (a saver) for your proposed program, the odds of your initiative getting approved will be slim,' he continued. Morrisey approved Senate Bill 837, sponsored by Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, that will formally eliminate the state's Office of Equal Opportunity by repealing its mandate in state code. The office was tasked with complying with federal disability rights and investigated discrimination and harassment claims from public employees. While vetting the bills, members of the House of Delegates learned that the OEO seemed to already be gone without lawmakers' required approval. The office doesn't have any employees or a website. Lawmakers opted to keep the office's director position within the Division of Personnel, though the position is currently vacant. Rucker said the bill was an effort to streamline state government since the OEO's work was already being done by the Division of Personnel. Morrisey also signed another measure sponsored by Rucker that will terminate the 'Employee Suggestion Award Board' by terminating five sections of code, including a program that provides cash or honorary awards to state employees whose adopted suggestions result in substantial savings or improvement in state operations. 'We heard that this is not really helping the state. We were very hopeful when this got passed years ago that employees would be able to give us ideas that would really significantly find waste and we could reduce cost to the state. But that is not what has happened,' Rucker said during bill debate March 20 in the Senate. 'Unfortunately, It has been years since there's been a single suggestion.' Rucker said they encouraged state agencies to still accept suggestions from employees regarding cost savings. The governor signed Senate Bill 427 that will roll back work permit requirements for 14- and 15-year olds in West Virginia. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Rupie Phillips, R-Logan. Current state law requires 14- and 15-year-olds who want to work to get a permit from their school superintendent; the new law, which goes into effect in July, no longer requires that permit. Employers seeking to hire the teenagers will still be required to obtain an age certificate verifying the child's age from the state Division of Labor and the written consent of the child's parent or guardian. The age certificate would include the child's age, name and date of birth, as well as information about the job they're seeking, among other things. The governor still hasn't signed off on a number of high-profile Republican-backed measures from this year's legislative session, including a bill tightening the state's already-strict ban on gender-affirming care for minors and a measure requiring school employees to alert parents when a child requests to be referred to by a different name or pronouns that are different from the student's biological sex. While Morrisey issued an executive order eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state government, he hasn't yet signed a bill that would codify that order. The measure is facing a potential legal challenge after the Senate's Democratic members said the bill was not legally passed on the final night of session because of a 'series of procedural irregularities.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
