Sports THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 22
Arrests in ticket scandal Two former employees face charges for their involvement. PAGE 31
WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2010
WWW.KANSAN.COM
Morris to play against pros
Marcus Morris named to USA Men's Select Team. PAGE 29
STAY CLASSY
PAGE 25
BY COREY THIBODEAUX cthibodeaux@kansan.com
life doesn't get much better for Darrell Stuckey.
"I can't complain at all," he said. "It's 70 degrees every day."
The former Kansas safety lives in San Diego. About four times a week after practice, he sees a movie.
He signed a four-year deal with the San Diego Chargers late last month. And with the recent release of Kevin Ellison, San Diego's primary strong safety last year, signs point to Stuckey becoming the starter.
"It's a dream come true," he said.
His main competition in camp at this point is Steve Gregory, but Stuckey has the overall coverage ability, making him the early favorite. Working out with talented players such as restricted free-agent Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips and Luis Castillo is just enough for him at this point, he said.
Stuckey said he practiced on both the first and second team, so he wasn't about to dub himself the starter yet. The team is now on vacation for a couple of weeks after the completion of organized team activities.
Former Kansas linebacker Mike Rivera, who is in Lawrence working out after
signing to the Tennessee Titans practice squad said he wasn't surprised at all about Stuckey's position.
"Obviously he's got the skills and he's a student of the game," Rivera said. "That's the difference between what makes a player a starter and a contributor."
Stuckey also helps the Chargers with his conduct off the field. Ellison was released essentially because of his May 24 arrest for drug possession. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson was suspended for three games because of his legal troubles and now wants a new contract.
So the 2010 Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year seemed like a classy choice in the fourth round for San Diego.
Former Kansas defensive coordinator Clint Bowen, who now has the same position at Western Kentucky, said Stuckey surpassed a lot of players in terms of intelligence and self-discipline. That's why it's not a surprise to see him with all this early success.
"No one wants to deal with the problem of guys who can't seem to do things right," Bowen said.
SEE STUCKEY ON PAGE 26
PHOTO ABOVE Former Kansas safety Darrell Stuckey returns an interception during a game against Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in 2008.
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