HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Not long after realizing his dream of becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL and winning important games, Ray Lucas was introduced to the harsh reality of professional sports' business side.

	Ray Lucas threw for 1,678 yards and 14 TDs in 1999.

Lucas, who went 6-3 as the New York Jets' starter last season with Vinny Testaverde sidelined with a ruptured Achilles' tendon, has been performing at this week's Jets' minicamp without the contract he'd have liked.

And he watched the Jets begin to integrate first-round draft pick Chad Pennington into their offense.

So instead of being signed to a lucrative multi-year deal with a healthy signing bonus, it looks like Lucas is going to have to settle for the $385,000 tender offer the Jets made to him as an exclusive rights free agent. Pennington, who isn't signed yet, is certain to make something like triple that, although he hasn't played a down in the NFL.

Despite all this, Lucas insists he's not bitter.

"It's a business," he said. "Was I surprised (by the drafting of Pennington)? Yeah. But that's the way the business is. Every year there's going to be someone new coming in and challenging you for your spot."

"I've got to prove myself every year," Lucas added. "I can't rest on what I did last year. I only played nine games. That doesn't make me the savior of New York City. I still have got go out there and compete and push Vinny a little bit and take it from there."

Jets' coach Al Groh said Lucas should accept the Pennington pick as part of life in the NFL.

"Our job is to collect good football players," Groh said. "That's what we did in drafting players like Chad Pennington."

Lucas, who's 27, replaced Rick Mirer as Testaverde's replacement and was a major factor as the Jets, who were 1-6 at one point, won seven of nine and finished at 8-8.

	“	The best thing about this is my players believe in me. They know that if I get on the field we have a good chance of winning. That's all that matters to me. ”
		— Ray Lucas, Jets quarterback

That gave him ideas about getting his first big NFL contract.

"There is no gratitude in the NFL," Lucas said. "The best thing about this is my players believe in me. They know that if I get on the field we have a good chance of winning. That's all that matters to me.

"The money? Yeah that's nice, but if I work hard it'll still be there someday. I'm going to catch up to it. It's ahead of me in the track meet, but believe me I'm working on my legs and I'm going to catch up to it."

As for Pennington's presence, Lucas said: "I'm more confident in me pushing Vinny. He's coming back and he looks great, but at the end of season I was the starting quarterback, so my mindset is I'm the starter. I can't go in and have it be a step back. I'm trying to get better."

Lucas was then asked if he's concerned about the perception that Pennington is the "quarterback of the future."

"I can only worry about this year; I'm here for this year," Lucas said. "I'm not worrying about three years down the line. It took me three years to get onto the field, so all I'm worried about is staying on the field. I don't want to get lost in the shuffle."