Throwing for 3,000 yards in your NFL career is an achievement in itself, but tally it up with other players and you get a bottom-feeder stat line.
1,939 of Ray Lucas’ passing yards came in a Gang Green uniform from 1997 until the turn of the new millennia.
Lucas went undrafted in 1996, but would be signed with the Patriots post-draft. Lucas only appeared in 2 games for New England, but he had something that Bill Parcells liked and was considered to be one of his favorite players.
When Bill Parcells took the move to the Meadowlands, he brought Ray Lucas along with him.
Parcells introduced Lucas to New York fans in 1997, setting up a play with Lucas under center in shotgun formation and second string QB Neil O'Donnell lined up at wide receiver. The play resulted in Lucas running for a gain of 15 yards.
In 1998, Ray Lucas appeared in 15 games, all being in a backup role. The limited opportunities only allowed for 3 pass attempts, which was one less than ‘97.
Jets starting QB Vinny Testaverde suffered an injury in Week 1 of the 1999/2000 season, in correspondence Rick Mirer took over the helm and put up a 2-4 record.
The sub .500% performance gave Lucas his first legitimate NFL opportunity. Lucas became the starter and would account for a 6-3 record, rebounding from two-straight losses to begin his starter campaign.
Lucas’ 1999 stat line was a very solid and respectable line to look at. Taking into consideration now, knowing he was a career backup, well the stat line just becomes even more impressive.
Ray Lucas 1999 stat line
161/272 passing | 59.2% | 1,678 yards (6.2 Y/A) | 14-6 TD-INT
2000 would feature him back into the backup role with only 41 pass attempts. In 2001 Lucas would take his talents to Miami and would be a middle depth chart quarterback for the Dolphins. His last NFL action would come in 2002 with Miami, where he would set Dolphin’s history by putting the worst single-game performance by a Dolphins quarterback, throwing 4 interceptions and having 2 fumbles against the Buffalo Bills.
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