Ray Lucas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ray Lucas | |
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| Position(s): Quarterback |
Jersey #(s): 6 |
| Born: August 6, 1972 Harrison, New Jersey |
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| Career Information | |
| Year(s): 1996–2003 | |
| College: Rutgers | |
| Professional Teams | |
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| Career Stats | |
| TD-INT | 18-17 |
| Yards | 3,029 |
| QB Rating | 74.3 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Career Highlights and Awards | |
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For the baseball player of the same name, see Ray Lucas (baseball)
Ray Lucas (born August 6, 1972 in Harrison, New Jersey) is a studio analyst for the show Jets Nation on New York City-based sports network SportsNet New York. His previous career was as a football quarterback in the National Football League, where he played for four teams, the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens during his seven year career from 1996 to 2002. Lucas is a graduate of Harrison High School. He played college football at Rutgers University.
Lucas spent most of his career in the NFL in a backup role. In the 1999 NFL season, after quarterback Vinny Testaverde was injured in the first game of the season, Rick Mirer took the helm, winning four of ten games. Lucas took over afterward and lost his first two starts but won his next four games to give the Jets an 8–8 record for the season.
Lucas was a favorite player of Bill Parcells during Parcells' time in New England and with the Jets, and was one of the players Parcells eventually brought over from the Patriots to the Jets. Parcells famously introduced Lucas in 1997 by putting him in at quarterback with second string QB Neil O'Donnell lined up at wide receiver. Lucas set up in a shotgun formation and ran the ball himself for 15 yards, befuddling the Vikings defense in a play that eventually led to a Jets victory. He attempted his first NFL pass in Week 17 of 1997 against the Detroit Lions. Lucas went 3 of 3 for 28 yards before throwing an interception. He was also called for a personal foul when making the tackle on the interception return. Lucas started in the Jets' 1999 preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, and Parcells had him in the running for the starting and second string quarterback role during that season. When starting QB Vinny Testaverde was injured later that season, Lucas would eventually start several games.
Ray Lucas solidified his place as most hated Dolphins player in the 2002 season. When starting QB Jay Fiedler broke his thumb during an epic win against Denver, Ray Lucas was trusted to step up to take over the job. The Florida media begged Dolfans to relax about the loss of Fiedler. Lucas was, if anything, an upgrade. Lucas proceeded to lose 3 games straight. He threw 6 interceptions in 1 game. When Jay Fiedler finally came back from injury, the Dolphins' season was lost. Despite winning 9 games, the Dolphins failed to make the playoffs. The Dolphins proceeded to cut Ray Lucas in the off season. In the 2002 off-season, Ray Lucas was described as showing surprise at the lack of interest NFL teams were showing in him.
Despite his late-career struggles, Lucas remained a hero to his inner-city hometown of Harrison, New Jersey. On March 28, 2008, Lucas was named to the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame. "The wall that's up in front of you just to make it (in the NFL) is incredible," Lucas said. "It's Mount Everest. The only ones who make it are the ones who are willing to stick it out. What are you willing to do? I think it's up to the person." Above all, Lucas credited his family, friends, and the city of Harrison for his success.
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