Anquan Boldin: 13 catches for 186 yards. Wes Welker: 12 catches for 134 yards. Larry Fitzgerald: 10 catches for 151 yards, and five for 130 and two touchdowns.
You get the picture, just connect the dots between those numbers and it creates a representation of why the Seahawks re-signed veteran cornerback 
| Seahawks 2009 |
This is the sixth in a series of eight articles sizing up the Seahawks by units for the upcoming season. Today To come |
The Seahawks decided to get bigger at the starting cornerback spot opposite
Head Coach Jim Mora didn't defer to the traditional NFL diplomacy despite the presence of former first-round draft choice
“Kenny has a pretty impressive body of work in this league and you know what, we're not going to play games. We're going to put him in there,” Mora said after Lucas rejoined the team in late April.
“In there” - at right cornerback with the No. 1 defense - is where Lucas found himself during his first minicamp practice with his old team.
Lucas has three things the Wilson/Jennings combination lacks. At 6-foot, Lucas is at least three inches taller than Wilson. At 205 pounds, he is at least 25 pounds heavier than Jennings. And, Lucas also has more experience, having the started the past four seasons for the Carolina Panthers after playing his first four seasons with the Seahawks.
Another advantage: With Lucas in the mix, Wilson's play in the spring minicamps showed that he isn't planning to settle for the nickel back role without a fight.
But the Seahawks decision to re-sign Lucas had more to do with the need for another bigger corner than any dissatisfaction with the way Wilson played last season.
“It baffled me,” Lucas said of the Seahawks giving up more yardage and big plays last season. “Because they were so good two years ago. For them to drop off like they did last year, it's kind of confusing because they had pretty much the same defense.
“Injuries and mistakes here and there will cause that to happen. It's all about confidence and chemistry, and hopefully we'll get that back.”
The early explanation from the coaches was that an improved pass rush would help the defensive backs, and it's impossible to argue that assessment. But the late addition of Lucas also shows there is more to it - even a little more than getting bigger and better at right cornerback.
Also throw a little bitter into the mix.
| Seahawks 2009 Defensive Backs |
A look at the unit as the team takes a break before the start of training camp practices on July 31: |
“Kenny's got a little chip on his shoulder because of what happened to him this offseason,” Mora said of Lucas becoming a salary-cap casualty in Carolina after he nixed a trade to the Detroit Lions.
“He got cut, he was on the open market for a while and I think he has something to prove and that'll give us a chance to get his best.”
That's one of the big reasons why Lucas decided to re-sign with the team that drafted him in the second round in 2001.
“It feels good to be home,” he said. “I feel like I never left. When I first left Seattle, I never thought I'd be coming back here.”
Back home, but not the same player who left in free agency after the 2004 season.
“I'm much more mature,” Lucas said. “I had the opportunity to do some life experiences that have matured me.
“I feel good to be part of this team. They already had the pieces in place without me, so I'm just coming in to enhance the team, not to be a savior.”
