You Can't Put a Pricetag on Happiness

by abender20 on May 11, 2009 8:41 AM PDT in Seahawks News & Rumors

For most of us, it's probably true that happiness has no price. There actually are, however, circumstances in which it's easy to figure out what happiness is worth to someone. In the words of Michael Scott:

Presents are the best way to show someone how much you care. It is like this tangible thing that you can point to and say “Hey man, I love you this many dollars-worth”.

According to Danny O'Neil, Ken Lucas loves Seattle (or dislikes Detroit) to the tune of about $3.3 million dollars.

There were reports that Carolina was looking to trade Lucas to Detroit. But according to Adam Schefter on NFL.com, Lucas made it clear he didn't want to play for the Lions. So instead of getting traded, Lucas got caught and the base salary of $5.6 million for 2009 was gone.

After signing with the Hawks for $2.3 million, Lucas stood atop the Cascades and shouted Eastward en voz alta, "Eat it, Detroit!". I, for one, am glad he did.

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What a team player, eh?

Lucas we love you, man.

by Misfit74 on May 11, 2009 8:55 AM PDT reply actions

I am really glad that I am not a Lions fan.

by waldo rojas on May 11, 2009 9:20 AM PDT reply actions

You will retract that statement when Stafford to Megatron is the next Brady to Moss!

or Montana to Rice!

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on May 11, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I am really glad I am not a Lions fan before 2012, when I jump on the bandwagon

by Ezzra on May 11, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions

JaMarcus to DHB, baby!

by aerozeppelin on May 11, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

To be fair, we don't know the incentives in the contract.

Plus, Lucas could be banking on the fact that playing for Seattle may make him look better and get him a 3 year deal next year, as opposed to playing for the Lions, which might make him look horrible and have him playing one year deals for the rest of his career.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Eric Berry, and Bryan Bulaga.

by LantermanC on May 11, 2009 9:39 AM PDT reply actions

That is all true.

by abender20 on May 11, 2009 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions

But it's also true that it's fun to rip on Detroit

"Why is it every time I need to get somewhere, we get waylaid by jackassery?" - Dr. Venture

by Eegah on May 11, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions

Not really

It’s like beating up the kid in the wheel chair down the street.

by stufr on May 11, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions

And that's not fun?

"Hey, guess what? Nobody cares who would win in a crazy fantasy fist-fight between Anne Frank and Lizzie Borden." The Monarch

by crushedoptimist on May 11, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

The kid gets to pick the best medical treatment every year

But instead keeps picking the same quack doctor who tells him he should run on his broken leg after a week of treatment. It’s no wonder he hasn’t walked at all in the last decade.

Mockery of that kid is kinda fun.

by Ezzra on May 11, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Haha

That was too great. Can’t believe you went there, but well done.

by cashless on May 11, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Frankly,

i think it says a lot about Lucas’ character development. He’s apparently grown up a bit since he was last on the team. I’m excited to have another larger CB in the backfield. I believe I read that Lucas is a pretty physical CB that can play press coverage well, too.

I was rather intrigued [and rather impressed] by Josh Wilson’s development last year, though. As far as I’m concerned, Wilson was ultimately one of the only bright spots [like John Carlson] which i noticed in last year’s train wreck of a season. Wilson is not necessarily pleased [and who can really blame him after last year?] with the Lucas acquisition. Where will Wilson fit in this season?

If only Wilson were a couple of inches taller. He has serious, serious athleticism, drive, skill, and potential.

I’m really interested in everyone’s feedback on Ken Lucas as a CB in general. Could someone give me the Lucas breakdown, please?

by Grimm Blackwood on May 11, 2009 10:09 AM PDT reply actions

He's probably happy to not be sharing a locker room with Steve Smith anymore.

I’m guessing that was awkward on a daily basis.

by waldo rojas on May 11, 2009 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions

I totally agree about Josh Wilson

He was a bright spot last year. I hope he further develops and excels this year.

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on May 11, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't read into it too much

Ken Lucas will make that money up easily by avoiding Detroit. Like Mora said, “I think we’re going to get Ken Lucas’ best this year”. The man is motivated.

by Section 128 on May 11, 2009 10:35 AM PDT reply actions

Oh, Yes You Can

You can absolutely put a price on happiness. Economists refer to this as “”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility" target="new">utility." On an individual level, utility == happiness.

Think about it in your own life. We make decisions about utility, and its relationship to money, all the time. Do I spend that $20,000 on the plumbing in the house, or use it on a vacation to Grand Cayman? Which provides me the longest-run happiness?

So yeah, Ken Lucas has decided that he values $3.6 million less than playing for a team other than the Lions. At his level of net worth, I can well imagine that’s a good trade.