What is the deal now with Nicks?

From the untrained eye. He seems like is just in a "funk". You can almost see it but then again may I am just seeing it trying to make sense of his drop-off.

and was sure he had greatness in him. He overpowered CB's and was just as dangerous when he was covered as he was when he was open. That's all gone now. The level he is currently playing at will get him Mario Manningham money.

I think making on field 'business decisions' is costing him millions. He is coasting on his reputation now and it is hard to watch.

What business decisions? (not arguing w ya just curious)

he is playing hurt. He's slowed down noticeably. I wonder if he hasn't recovered from the play at the end of the Tampa Bay game last year when he got stepped on. That was the last game that he dominated, although he played very well against Dallas.

In comment 11345756 rdt288 said:

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What business decisions? (not arguing w ya just curious)

not fighting for the ball like he used to and not breaking tackles like he used to after the catch.Not a threat that needs to be doubled anymore.

Nicks isn't as dependable as he used to be, so Eli doesn't throw to him as much, and then he doesn't work as hard, so Eli throws to him less, and then when he finally does get open, Eli's timing is off because a) Eli has been inconsistent, and b) he hasn't thrown to Nicks as much; so... Nicks is really frustrated.

He was much more wide open than Cruz when Eli hit the long one to Cruz. I also think he's a little envious of Cruz's popularity, which is more a function of Cruz's personality than his ability. For most of Cruz's career, Cruz's success has been partly the result of the threat posed by Nicks.

Nicks game has never been speed on getting a huge amount of separation.. its been more physical and out fighting guys for the ball.. you can see on this highlight reel which I am posting again for emphasis sake that there are many catches here where the defender is all over him and he still makes the catch.. I think he is probably just really frustrated.

Eli's timing is also off and the offense has been out of sync as well. I believe that has a huge affect.. the ball comes out maybe when you arent expecting it.. you turn the wrong way.. etc etc..

I think a lot of people remember the plays in Altanta and Green Bay during the playoffs as the typical Nicks but that to me is more the abberation
Nicks Video.. watch how many catches are NOT with great separation - ( New Window )

The start of the season may have been all of the above, but it may also be mixed in with the same perception that some on the defense had last year that they can "turn it off" when they are coasting thru a winning stretch against "lesser" teams and then when needed "turn it back on again". In last years stretch run they found they lost the "on" switch.
Hakeem may be searching for the "on" switch and is getting frustrated that it's not that easy to restart once you've slowed down.

The only thing I see is he looks much bigger than he used to. Could be nothing but the jersey being un-tucked.

He was never a separation WR. He made almost all the catches thrown to him in the past. He is still open on a lot of his plays.

He causes PI penalties every game.

I do think him out there has helped Cruz avg 1.5 more YPC this year vs last. There are currently 10 WR with 40 or more catches avg more than his YPC

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Nicks is hurting and we don't find out until after the season.

He's a deep threat receiver (which as been the Giants bread-and-butter); now Eli is getting harassed more in the pocket, which throws off his timing ...

Which causes early/late & off-line throws, which causes major disruptions in the rhythm of the game ...

Which causes the defender to get better angles ...

etc, etc, etc ....

in the video. When healthy the guy can absolutely do it all. Make contested catches, make ridiculous contorted grabs, beat you with finesse, beat you with savvy.

The Tampa Bay 2012 game, the best game of his regular season career, shows all of his skills in one. He beat man to man press coverage in multiple ways.

He leaps over Talib, snatching a bomb with those huge hands. He beat Talib with a tremendous release off the line of scrimmage, demonstrating absolutely incredible lateral quickness. He caught a couple of inside breaking routes against Talib with excellent separation out of his stem as well. Quickly adjusts to the ball and catches a one hander on an out route. On the final game winning 50 yard play, Nicks beats Talib with superb hand work and technique at the line of scrimmage, with the release creating enough work at the sideline to give Eli a clear window for the deep bomb

The idea that Nicks never separated isn't true. That's what he was dubbed coming out of college but he has absolutely improved coming out of his breaks since 2011. Its too much work going over each play in the video link, but the proof is all there. He just wins in so many ways, that's what makes him a potential number 1 if he can put a healthy season together. In a aesthetical kind of way, he separates excellently. Post knee injury against tampa bay, its never hasn't been the same though.

and probably a nagging injury. He's always hurt. But has he really cost himself that much money? I can definitely picture multiple teams out there that would throw him a ton of money. Teams sign average players to stupid contracts every year. They go even more crazy with the great players in the league even if they had one down year.

Happens. If he moves on next season, so be it. I will be grateful for his clutch playoff performance in 2011 and wish him the best. We arr still in pretty good shape without him. Randle has picked up the slack so far.

You people are ignorant.

Some of you people don't know what heck your talking about. There's nothing wrong with Nicks. Right now he's not getting the same down field opportunities he's been getting over the years. He's every bit as fast, working every bit as hard and is the same smooth, physical receiver he's always been.
I still feel like he'll finish the season strong as long as the line continues to prove and Eli plays with more consistency.

scoring position if he is not hurt? oh i just let murph take it?
i don't think so

Nicks is not just a deep threat. he has scored on reciever screens. remember when Eli hurt his foot play?

on all of this.
nicks is clearly lacking some of the explosion he had in 2011/early 2012. Missing offseason time had him lose rhythm with Eli, and with himself. Early on he had opportunities to make some plays that he missed. that hurt the team.
Lately he has made every play he has been given a chance on. When he and randle are targetted 16 times for 15 catches in 2 games... its hard to say something is their fault for not producing... an issue with the giants is if you are not the #1 option or the dump off... you are just not an option, becasue the Oline cant protect long enough for progressions. they have coached eli to hit the check down quicker it appears.
also nicks, while getting better separation at times, was also a "throw me open" guy and eli one of the best at doing that... however with a lower risk offense, we are not seeing that, hence less opportunities.
Also, people who sh%t on nicks do it in a manner that makes you think we are doing fine without him... actually we CANT score... so it would be better to get him more involved now that his hands are back and he looks more spry.
the guy draws the #1 corner each game... so the whole "play randle and cruz #1 and #2", is easier said then done, especially with this line.
Nicks is also the first person to go congratulate randle each time he scores... its not like this guy is moping with his teammates. I assume there is frustration due to his lack of performance, healthy, and "what could have been".
and the TD commentary, yes it would be great if he hauled a few in, there were also some balls that could have been TDs that werent placed well, but those dont count either.

It has been going on for 2 years now.
If he has that many issues, maybe he should just retire from football.

lost a step or two. He never got a lot of separation but his physicality and huge hands allowed him to make catches even when covered. A lot like Plaxico and Anguan Boldin (who he reminds me of). He is not a #1 WR anymore. He also may know he will be pursued by the Panthers next year. Where he wants to go. So he is playing not to get hurt.

all we hear from the peanut gallery is how he is the highest paid player, blah blah, blah. How he is playing like a rookie, blah blah blah. How he needs to step up blah, blah, blah.

Nicks job is to make plays. Yeah he has caught the balls thrown to him the last two games. Great. Lot of those balls are 3-4 yard passes. His big play in the last few weeks was on a broken coverage by the defnse. He gets 1-1 inside the 20, he falls down. We throw a pattern to him, he runs the pattern half ass. He stops on slants. He wants out of the game on 3rd down insdie the 20. He has dropped at least 4-5 TDs this year.

He has sucked this year. If all the "eli apologists" have to admit Eli has poorly (which he has), why cant the Nicks apologists stop with the "he is hurt" or "something is not right" excuses. He has been a bad football player this year.

Always liked him and still do as a player. Too many drops this season when thrown his way, and hard to complete a lot of 3 and 10's .... but it seems every season some teams have the magic and others do not.

The packers made several one handed grabs to help the rookie QB out, our vets have not stepped up much either. Everyone is to blame.

Regardless of what happens this season someone will pay Nicks more than what we are offering. Good post on Snyder etc.

better than he is right now. Teams overpay all the time, he'll get paid

Another DIVA wide receiver?

In comment 11345639 Eric from BBI said:

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is he knows he has completely screwed up his chance for a big pay day. He's been pressing and it's costing him big bucks.

Eric, that's what I thought the other day, when I read that Jacobs had to talk to him on the sideline.

has just been unable to make the big play he is accustomed to making. He had 1 on 1 coverage and Eli was way off on the throw. It was 4 yards out of bounds. That is why he took himself out. He has also been interfered with in the endzone 3 times this year.

The guy is gonna get paid. He has made some very nice catches. he had a great reception on Sunday. Mike Wallace wasn't didn't put up tremendous numbers in Pitt and look at the money he got. I would like to think that as a competitor, he is less upset about future contracts and more upset with everything going wrong for him this season. He gets open, Eli misses him. Eli makes a great throw, there is a drop or an interference call. The opportunities have also been limited due to stagnant offense and having to throw shorter passes more often. He is just frustrated with the way things are going. I understand that.

He doesn't suck. He is having a lesser year than in the past, but 42 receptions for 620 yards through 10 games is certainly not terrible. He could still end up with a 1000 yard season if he can have a monster game or two in the next 6.

But I don't understand taking yourself out of the game. It is indefensible. You want to get in the end zone? Well, we're in the redzone and still have 2nd and 3rd down. Go make another play.

injuries?

Nicks came out out on 2nd down. Didn't even wait till 3rd down. I wonder if now is the time to swoop in and make him an offer. Not a ridiculously low ball one but something a little less than he planned to make on the open market at the beginning of the season. I'm not a big fan of breaking the bank for him as I think we have bigger needs elsewhere and would be better off spending the $ there. However if we could get him for a cap friendly deal in the neighborhood of Cruz $ maybe we should consider it? he just might sign now the way things are going and it may ease the whole situation over.

Eli and the coaches aren't going to try and avoid him or lose games if he can help. The guy is a very good football player but I'm more concerned that he seems to have spiraled downwards rather than fighting to be more involved.

IMO he and his people over thought this last contract year stuff and now he's in a bit of a funk.

For starters, I would like to see us keep Nicks.I would also like to hear something along the way that the feeling is reciprocal.I don't know if it is or it isn't.It may be that he wants to go to Carolina.

Or not.

He is a young guy, a couple of years younger than Cruz.He is also a quiet guy.He's never made any trouble, but you know he wants to get paid. He was sending that message when Cruz was signed.I think Very simply he did the math, or his agent did, and figured there wasn't gonna be enough left for him to get the wallace money he wanted.I think that made him unhappy, and he missed practices in the spring because of it.

I think, regardless of the bullshit i see here every fucking year, where the idiot brigade comes in and says it's no biggie that recievers, Vets, hold out of OTAs and spring training and what nbot, as they can pick it up where they left off. I hope we don't see the same hoirsehit next year.

I think missing camp and practices hurt him.I think, specifically, it hurt the trust, and timing, between him and eli.It's clear they aren't in sync. either one or the other is too far ahead or too far behind, on the throws/routes.

I think he is not at full health. I think that he is prideful, and unhappy he hasn't had success this year. It wouldn't suprise me if he didn't appreciate the speculation that he has given up, is softballing it, or playing it safe.

New york is very demanding, on it's athletes, and young guys like him that are already having issues with health and timing and stress over contracts, then the speculation on top of it, it can sap your will.Football is a wargame, and is all about the will to fight.We as fans effect that.you can say all this doesn't matter, but if I'm a younf 25 year old dude getting fucking shredded in the press with people calling me quitter and I can't defend myself it can drag you down.I would rather see us support the guy a bit, hope management makes a fair offer, and maybe it works out and he stays.

He's a good kid, and the end of the day if he leaves we will be the lesser team for it. It's not one thing, it's a little bit of all these things, and also I think people forget how young he is.we should cut the guy some slack.Show some of the class we are always talking about.

what it is, we don't know. Desire? Injury?

Despite all the offense's problems, Cruz still looks like Cruz. Randle still looks like Randle (he's actually improved from his freshman year).

Nicks doesn't look like Nicks. He's dropped passes, and just doesn't seem to have the same physical presense he once had. At times he looks lazy.

He has more motivation to play well than at any other time of his career. He plays well this season, many teams would open their checkbooks for him.

I wonder if he has something bad going on personally, and it is hitting him emotionally/mentally.

I agree....it's like his focus isn't there.

Didn't work out with Eli in the offseason. Missed mini camp when expected to be t here. Looked subpar in the preseason.

Perhaps Cruz getting a contract, and him being left out really has effected him mentally.

.

Plenty of time for him to right the ship, if there is nothing going on of a personal nature

In comment 11346130 Randy in CT said:

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He has more motivation to play well than at any other time of his career. He plays well this season, many teams would open their checkbooks for him. I wonder if he has something bad going on personally, and it is hitting him emotionally/mentally.

Randy, its why I think he allowed his injuries and his situation get into his head. I don't blame him to an extent. You know you are one blown knee out of the NFL and with his history I'm sure it factored into his no show training camp.

Then you start slow and things don't go smoothly. He's still young as was mentioned. Not every player no matter how talented is mentally tough all the time.

I have noticed is that the Jints continue to throw those short smoke screens to Nicks and without success.

In past seasons Nicks could almost always be counted on to make the first defender miss the tackle and make some decent yardage.

Nowadays the first defender almost always takes Nicks down immediately

Something is missing from the Nicks arsenal

I am rooting for him to overcome whatever it is

but I've always seen Nicks as being mentally tougher than that--to just let a slow start get to him.

I just don't know...

In comment 11346149 JonC said:

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.

Yup. Definitely not a new poster.

1000 bucks to whoever figures out who I used to be, lol. I'm sure it was someone you loved and respected. You guys are a hoot

is my guess ...

Barilko was my guess, too. I just thought maybe it was too obvious using the first name again. Probably is.

Sup, Bill!

But it's sad to see the guy who came up so freaking big in the 2011 championship run go through a prolonged rough patch.

nothing much, arc. How they hangin'?

?

whether it's physically or emotionally. Who knows.? It is disturbing that he would just take himself out of a game though.

Truth is, the NFL is a performance based business. There is no heart or loyalty if you aren't doing the job, you're out.

Nicks has been a great Giant, and I am rooting for him.

If, by next years draft, he is not re-signed, and the Giants have the opportunity to draft Marquise Lee or Mike Evans would you do it.

They're hangin. Hangin in there. Ya know.

Adirondacks? Haven't been there for about 25 years since my kids were at camp. I really am in Utah, lol. The only mountains around are the Wasatch. I can see Ben Lomand peak from my window. Got some snow up there now.