CLEVELAND (92.3 The Fan) – The Cleveland Browns released defensive end Frostee Rucker Tuesday the team announced.

Rucker, who was the big free agent signing last offseason for former general manager Tom Heckert, started all 16 games at right end this past season.

Rucker was signed to a 5-year, $20.5 million contract which included $8 million guaranteed, including a $5 million signing bonus. He was scheduled to make $2.5 million in 2013.

He totaled 48 tackles, 4 sacks and a forced fumble in his only season with the Browns.

With the new 3-4 defensive alignment, Rucker wasn’t a fit for new defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s scheme.

Rucker is the second signing by Heckert within the last year to be released by the new regime. Cornerback Dimitri Patterson, who signed a 3-year $16 million extension last March was released on Dec. 17.

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