trickblue
03-01-2005, 11:54 PM
Bad news for us...
Hawks' priority shifts to Lucas
Cornerback might be more highly valued here than in free agency
INDIANAPOLIS -- After the Seahawks wrapped up the "big three" of their 16 potential unrestricted free agents by signing left tackle Walter Jones and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and using their franchise tag on running back Shaun Alexander, the priority arrow shifted to cornerback Ken Lucas.
There are ongoing discussions between club consultant Mike Reinfeldt and Lucas' agent, James Cook, as the free-agency period begins, but nothing was imminent yesterday, when Reinfeldt joined president of football operations Tim Ruskell and coach Mike Holmgren at the NFL scouting combine.
Lucas has said he would like to return to the Seahawks, who selected him in the second round of the 2001 draft, but sources indicate he also is tempted to test the market.
Lucas shared the NFC lead with six interceptions in 2004, returning one for a touchdown. He led the club with a career-high 21 passes defended and provided leadership in a young secondary.
He also started 16 games for only the second time and prompted concerns his breakthrough season was rooted in him being in a contract year.
Scouts and coaches from other teams are not allowed to officially comment on players who are potential free agents, but one assistant coach for an NFC team that played the Seahawks last season said the only deficiency in Lucas' game is a lack of elite speed.
However, a scout from an AFC team that is shopping for a cornerback wondered whether Lucas is the type of shut-down corner who could command the type of contracts given to Shawn Springs, Champ Bailey and Antoine Winfield last year -- when 13 cornerbacks signed deals (with new and old teams) that averaged $3 million a year.
Lucas might discover he is worth more to the Seahawks than he would be on the open market.
Lucas, who was an alternate to the Pro Bowl, took a quantum career leap last offseason. He remained in Seattle, worked on the mental aspects of his game by studying video to pick up team trends and opponent tendencies and got himself into the best shape of his career.
"Ken had shown athletically what he was all about," said Will Lewis, Seahawks director of pro personnel. "Then it was just a matter of working on all the little nuances of playing corner in this league, the mental as well as the physical."
The Seahawks face an obvious question: If not Lucas, who?
Veteran Bobby Taylor was signed in free agency last year, but a troublesome knee and suspect commitment sidelined him for the second half of the season. Kris Richard was a third-round draft choice (in 2002), but has yet to play like one.
If Lucas leaves, the Seahawks could fill the void in free agency or the draft. But could they find a replacement with Lucas' combination of experience and potential?
"You'd certainly like to have Ken back," Lewis said. "He's a solid human being and a guy who works on his game."
Hawks' priority shifts to Lucas
Cornerback might be more highly valued here than in free agency
INDIANAPOLIS -- After the Seahawks wrapped up the "big three" of their 16 potential unrestricted free agents by signing left tackle Walter Jones and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and using their franchise tag on running back Shaun Alexander, the priority arrow shifted to cornerback Ken Lucas.
There are ongoing discussions between club consultant Mike Reinfeldt and Lucas' agent, James Cook, as the free-agency period begins, but nothing was imminent yesterday, when Reinfeldt joined president of football operations Tim Ruskell and coach Mike Holmgren at the NFL scouting combine.
Lucas has said he would like to return to the Seahawks, who selected him in the second round of the 2001 draft, but sources indicate he also is tempted to test the market.
Lucas shared the NFC lead with six interceptions in 2004, returning one for a touchdown. He led the club with a career-high 21 passes defended and provided leadership in a young secondary.
He also started 16 games for only the second time and prompted concerns his breakthrough season was rooted in him being in a contract year.
Scouts and coaches from other teams are not allowed to officially comment on players who are potential free agents, but one assistant coach for an NFC team that played the Seahawks last season said the only deficiency in Lucas' game is a lack of elite speed.
However, a scout from an AFC team that is shopping for a cornerback wondered whether Lucas is the type of shut-down corner who could command the type of contracts given to Shawn Springs, Champ Bailey and Antoine Winfield last year -- when 13 cornerbacks signed deals (with new and old teams) that averaged $3 million a year.
Lucas might discover he is worth more to the Seahawks than he would be on the open market.
Lucas, who was an alternate to the Pro Bowl, took a quantum career leap last offseason. He remained in Seattle, worked on the mental aspects of his game by studying video to pick up team trends and opponent tendencies and got himself into the best shape of his career.
"Ken had shown athletically what he was all about," said Will Lewis, Seahawks director of pro personnel. "Then it was just a matter of working on all the little nuances of playing corner in this league, the mental as well as the physical."
The Seahawks face an obvious question: If not Lucas, who?
Veteran Bobby Taylor was signed in free agency last year, but a troublesome knee and suspect commitment sidelined him for the second half of the season. Kris Richard was a third-round draft choice (in 2002), but has yet to play like one.
If Lucas leaves, the Seahawks could fill the void in free agency or the draft. But could they find a replacement with Lucas' combination of experience and potential?
"You'd certainly like to have Ken back," Lewis said. "He's a solid human being and a guy who works on his game."