Browns release DE Frostee Rucker

CLEVELAND (AP) - The Browns have released defensive end Frostee Rucker after one season.

A top free-agent signing by Cleveland last year, Rucker is the first casualty of the team switching from a 4-3 to multi-front defensive scheme under first-year coach Rob Chudzinski. Rucker made $6 million last season, when he started all 16 games and finished with 48 tackles and four sacks.

Rucker was due to make $2.5 million next season.

The 29-year-old Rucker spent six seasons before signing with Cleveland.

Last week, Chudzinski and new defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who spent the past two seasons with Arizona, said the Browns hope to have an aggressive defense next season. Apparently, the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Rucker did not fit into their plans.