Former Seahawk and now free agent ex-Panther Ken Lucas visited Seattle last month in hopes of talking contracts.At 6-0 202 lbs, Lucas could provide much needed size and physicality at a position that was dominated by bigger and stronger wide receivers last year.
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Though not a perennial Pro Bowler, which is what the Panthers thought they were getting when they signed him to a big free agent deal in 2004, Lucas can still start on most teams. He excels at press coverage and his veteran presence and knowledge of the game would leave stress off the safeties.
His size will also come as a welcome addition. Kelly Jennings (5-10) and Josh Wilson (5-9) are often targeted for their height.
Here is a list of big, physical wide receivers the Seahawks will play in 2009:
Most pundits agree that Larry Fitzgerald was the best wide receiver in the league last year, practically carrying his team to the Super Bowl.
What makes Fitzgerald so good is he knows what he can and cannot do and he has refined his abilities accordingly. The end result is a physical marvel with complete control over his body in terms of athleticism. He’ll muscle cornerbacks out of position using his strength rather than speed, which is his worst asset.
However, he hasn’t shown an ability to dominate bigger cornerbacks, which is to be expected.
As an example for big, physical receivers (Seattle also have to play these guys twice a year) here is how Fitzgerald performed matched up against cornerbacks throughout the season:
Red indicates shorter than 6-0. All 6-0 and taller CBs held Fitzgerald to less than 100 yards except for ex-Seahawk Shawn Springs. A 54 yard touchdown pass went against him when Springs let Fitzgerald go to the safety. The safety blew the coverage and Fitzgerald coasted in.
Fitzgerald and Boldin decimated the secondary during there first meeting, with Boldin amassing 186 yards and Fitzgerald racking up 151. Trufant was injured that game.
The second game, Trufant was back but was torched by Fitzgerald for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Trufant was left to play man coverage for much of that game.
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
