Cardinals' Frostee Rucker: 'It's Super Bowl or bust for us'

Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Frostee Rucker understands what's at stake.

Nine seasons into his career, Rucker has yet to win a playoff game. He knows his days are numbered as a pro football player.

But this season could be different. Rucker believes the Cardinals are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

It certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see Arizona as one of the top teams in the NFC, but a lot of it hinges on the health of key players. That was something the team wasn't afforded last season.

Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton, Andre Ellington battled injuries, Patrick Peterson wasn't at 100 percent, Tyrann Mathieu also missed significant time as well.

Even to start training camp, the injuries are piling up. Michael Floyd underwent surgery, rookie D.J. Humphries is out (knee), Ellington has been limited as has rookie David Johnson.

Even so, there is optimism heading into fall because of the pieces on place on both offense and defense.

Rucker believes winning can transform a clubhouse. His vision now is more clear than ever before heading into 2015.

"Every year past this, you're counting one by one, because it's not if you can do it, it's if a team thinks you can do it," Rucker said. "You can be in condition and still do this or that, but if a team just slaps your age on it, then you can't get a job because of simply your age. So at this point, it's Super Bowl or bust for us."

(h/t AZCardinals.com)