Lucas Released

A couple of days ago, our blog  mentioned cornerback Ken Lucas was going to be traded. He was released. The Carolina Panthers finally made the move yesterday. The eight-year veteran, spent four seasons with Carolina after starting his career in Seattle. Lucas has been a dynamic player. The 30-year-old has 24 career interceptions, including a career-high six on two occasions. The cornerback was a second round-pick  in 2001, Lucas sighned a six-year deal worth $36 million when he joined Carolina in 2005.

Carolina general manager Marty Hurney had only positive words to describe his cornerback. “Ken Lucas has been a very valuable player for us over the last four years and played an important role on two playoff teams during that span.” The general manager continued by adding, “Ken is a true pro and we wish him the very best. This year, we have re-signed some veteran players, and this move means some younger players will have an opportunity to step up.”  The move clears about $2.3 million in salary-cap space. The Panthers had been trying to work out a trade for the veteran, but Lucas vetoed a deal to the Detroit Lions last month and the Panthers on Wednesday cut him loose after he struggled late last season. He started 49 of 50 games with 13 interceptions. But Lucas was burned on several occasions, and the Panthers appear poised to promote No. 3 cornerback Richard Marshall to the starting job opposite Chris Gamble.

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