In 1973, he had a breakout performance with 53 reception (sixth in the league) for 743 yards (eighth in the league).
It was reported that a disagreement between head coach Chuck Fairbanks and Rucker about being placed on injured reserve,[REF] was the reason that led the Patriots to trade him to the Cleveland Browns on January 28, 1975, in exchange for a fourth-round draft choice (#86-Allen Carter).