Riders linebacker Sean Lucas was named a CFL West Division all-star on Wednesday. He's not a big talker but he had a big season — 81 tackles, four sacks, four forced fumbles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post filesREGINA — Those who suggest Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Sean Lucas is quietly having a fine season don’t know how right they are.
“He’s not a guy who talks a lot,” defensive back Eddie Davis said Thursday when asked about Lucas. “He’s not a flashy player; he just goes out there and does his job.
“A lot of the media and a lot of the fans like to see guys jumping around, hooting and hollering, whether or not they’ve made the play. That’s what a lot of people see, but they don’t see the X’s and O’s all the time.”
“When he makes a play, I don’t think you’d see him get up and dance or do anything like that,” added Saskatchewan linebackers coach Alex Smith. “He’s really a professional. He’s not very boisterous, he doesn’t bring attention to himself, but he’s really efficient.”
Lucas, a 26-year-old product of Atlanta, was named a CFL West Division all-star on Wednesday in the wake of a regular season in which he had 81 tackles, four sacks, four forced fumbles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
The 5-foot-11, 202-pound strong-side linebacker feels like he gets the credit he deserves, but admitted he actually likes flying under the radar.
“I do, because if I make a mistake, it might not get too much attention,” Lucas said with a grin. “Then, when I do something good, I do get the attention I deserve.
“It’s a team sport. It’s not about individuals. I’ve always been that type of player my whole career, from high school to college. I’ve never been a big showboat or anything like that. I just do whatever I can to help the team.”
Perhaps he should try to bring attention to himself. Maybe he can celebrate every tackle or sack with a signature move or mark an interception by jumping into a fishing boat parked inside the stadium.
“Nah, I don’t really try to put the spotlight on myself,” Lucas said, “because sometimes when you do that and something happens, you start getting the wrong kind of attention: ‘This guy’s this and that, he’s always talking and he’s not that good,’ and all that kind of stuff.
“I know my place and know my role on the team. I’m happy with it.”
Smith said he felt in the off-season that Lucas was one of the players the Roughriders needed to keep because of his intelligence and his grasp of the defence. In Lucas’ eyes, the change in defensive co-ordinators — Gary Etcheverry replaced the departed Richie Hall in the off-season — presented him with a stiff challenge this season.
But while his numbers dropped from last season in one area (his tackle total went down from 95), those in other areas increased (his sack numbers went up from zero and his number of interceptions climbed from one).
“It was a tough season being in a new system, a new defence, but playing with the same group of guys really helped me,” said Lucas, who’s in his fourth season with the Roughriders. “I was able to come back and pretty much be consistent from last year.”
Lucas credited his preparation for that consistency, be it the physical regimen he has in the off-season or the film work he does during the season in the hopes of understanding what teams are trying to do to the defence.
Throw in an unchanging level of effort and accolades such as a berth on the West all-star team are a result.
His play speaks for itself — because he sure doesn’t.
“I’m happy I got recognition this year; I’m not complaining,” Lucas said. “I think I get the credit I deserve. As long as my teammates know and Rider fans understand my importance to the team, I’m fine with that . . . I don’t need posters or anything. I just want to win ball games and get a Grey Cup.”
ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com
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