Chiefs Ken Lucas anyone?

chop · 03-11-2009, 07:35 PM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Seven months after forgiving teammate Steve Smith for his nose-breaking sucker-punch, the Carolina Panthers released starting cornerback Ken Lucas on Wednesday in a salary-cap move.
The decision clears about $2.3 million and comes after the Panthers failed to work out a trade for the veteran, who struggled late last season. Lucas vetoed a deal to the Detroit Lions last month.
``We had some teams approach us and we talked to some teams and nothing worked out,'' general manager Marty Hurney said. ``We just thought this was the time to do this. ... Ken's been a very good starter for us for four years.''
Lucas was signed away from Seattle to a six-year, $36 million deal in 2005. He started 49 of 50 games for Carolina and had 13 interceptions.
Lucas was also known for fierce, trash-talking one-on-one matchups with Smith in practice that boiled over in training camp last season when the Pro Bowl receiver punched Lucas in the face while Lucas was resting on one knee.
Coach John Fox had to implore Lucas' defensive teammates not to retaliate against Smith, who was suspended for the first two regular-season games. But Lucas, who needed minor surgery on his nose, told his teammates he forgave Smith. The issue didn't linger and the Panthers went 12-4 and won the NFC South title.
``We've said repeatedly how much we respected how Ken handled the situation,'' Hurney said. ``I think that it was indicative of how he handled himself the four years he was here. He's a pro and he always was a team guy. He played at a very high level for us. Anytime you make these kind of decisions it's very hard.''
The 30-year-old Lucas struggled late last season, when the Panthers' defense became a weak point leading to their 33-13 loss to Arizona in the NFC divisional playoffs.
Lucas' departure likely means nickel back Richard Marshall will be promoted to the starting job opposite Chris Gamble, who signed a contract extension late last year.
``Everything works out through competition, but obviously Richard is a former second-round pick and has been a very, very good player for us,'' Hurney said. ``We certainly have all the confidence in the world that he can step up and help us there.''
The move clears much-needed cap space for the Panthers, who must count the one-year, $16.7 million franchise-tag tender to Julius Peppers on their cap until that issue is resolved.
The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end has said he wants to play for another team next season and hasn't signed the tender. Hurney said there were no new developments.
The Associated Press

Depth?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-11-2009, 07:37 PM

Why sign a 30-31 year old guy for depth?

Gravedigger · 03-11-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Why sign a 30-31 year old guy for depth?

Cause we arent signing anyone else.

BigRock · 03-11-2009, 08:11 PM

I'm for it. Haley can punch him in the face on the first day of camp to set the tone, then they'll cut him that afternoon.

Blick · 03-11-2009, 08:20 PM

He's basically the same player as Surtain.

StcChief · 03-11-2009, 08:22 PM

under go younger.... he's older.

KCChiefsMan · 03-11-2009, 08:46 PM

he's already 30? damn

Reerun_KC · 03-11-2009, 08:47 PM

Maybe Deon Sanders will come out of retirement?

rolstrol · 03-11-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Why sign a 30-31 year old guy for depth?

dag these players get old fast.

it seems like 2years ago was a 2nd year player for Seattle

Thig Lyfe · 03-12-2009, 12:10 AM

Nah. Too susceptible to midget punches.

03-11-2009, 07:35 PM
chop Go Chiefs! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Michigan Casino cash: $914270	Ken Lucas anyone? CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Seven months after forgiving teammate Steve Smith for his nose-breaking sucker-punch, the Carolina Panthers released starting cornerback Ken Lucas on Wednesday in a salary-cap move. The decision clears about $2.3 million and comes after the Panthers failed to work out a trade for the veteran, who struggled late last season. Lucas vetoed a deal to the Detroit Lions last month. ``We had some teams approach us and we talked to some teams and nothing worked out,'' general manager Marty Hurney said. ``We just thought this was the time to do this. ... Ken's been a very good starter for us for four years.'' Lucas was signed away from Seattle to a six-year, $36 million deal in 2005. He started 49 of 50 games for Carolina and had 13 interceptions. Lucas was also known for fierce, trash-talking one-on-one matchups with Smith in practice that boiled over in training camp last season when the Pro Bowl receiver punched Lucas in the face while Lucas was resting on one knee. Coach John Fox had to implore Lucas' defensive teammates not to retaliate against Smith, who was suspended for the first two regular-season games. But Lucas, who needed minor surgery on his nose, told his teammates he forgave Smith. The issue didn't linger and the Panthers went 12-4 and won the NFC South title. ``We've said repeatedly how much we respected how Ken handled the situation,'' Hurney said. ``I think that it was indicative of how he handled himself the four years he was here. He's a pro and he always was a team guy. He played at a very high level for us. Anytime you make these kind of decisions it's very hard.'' The 30-year-old Lucas struggled late last season, when the Panthers' defense became a weak point leading to their 33-13 loss to Arizona in the NFC divisional playoffs. Lucas' departure likely means nickel back Richard Marshall will be promoted to the starting job opposite Chris Gamble, who signed a contract extension late last year. ``Everything works out through competition, but obviously Richard is a former second-round pick and has been a very, very good player for us,'' Hurney said. ``We certainly have all the confidence in the world that he can step up and help us there.'' The move clears much-needed cap space for the Panthers, who must count the one-year, $16.7 million franchise-tag tender to Julius Peppers on their cap until that issue is resolved. The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end has said he wants to play for another team next season and hasn't signed the tender. Hurney said there were no new developments. The Associated Press Depth?
Posts: 2,964

03-11-2009, 07:37 PM	#2
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7149572	Why sign a 30-31 year old guy for depth? __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
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03-11-2009, 08:11 PM	#4
BigRock Pritay Pritay Pritay Good Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The State of Euphoria Casino cash: $705412	I'm for it. Haley can punch him in the face on the first day of camp to set the tone, then they'll cut him that afternoon.
Posts: 6,989

03-11-2009, 08:20 PM	#5
Blick Veteran Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South KC Casino cash: $10004900	He's basically the same player as Surtain.
Posts: 1,209

03-11-2009, 08:22 PM	#6
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	under go younger.... he's older. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

03-11-2009, 08:46 PM	#7
KCChiefsMan AIC Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Roxbury, MA Casino cash: $10004900	he's already 30? damn
Posts: 11,478

03-11-2009, 08:47 PM	#8
Reerun_KC Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7231160	Maybe Deon Sanders will come out of retirement?
Posts: 1,529

03-12-2009, 12:10 AM	#10
Thig Lyfe Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Thigpen's America Casino cash: $10004900	Nah. Too susceptible to midget punches.
Posts: 25,680