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Hakeem Nicks not making an immediate impact for the Colts

Jints in Carolina : 8/3/2014 2:37 pm
“I don’t know if I can say that I’ve seen enough,” Hamilton said. “I think he is still working to get himself in game shape. His talent is well documented and his ability to be a productive receiver in the league is without a doubt something that we are not questioning, he’s a special talent.”

The talent is undeniable. But how can Nicks not show up for the most important training camp of his life in game shape?
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/03/hakeem-nicks-not-making-an-immediate-impact-for-the-colts/ - ( New Window )
...  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 8/3/2014 2:38 pm : link
Too early to tell this year.

But last year's fall was one of the strangest things I've ever seen in all of the years I watched football.
""  
Damon : 8/3/2014 2:40 pm : link
.
Eric I agree  
Jints in Carolina : 8/3/2014 2:40 pm : link
It was very bizarre.
Agreed.  
Curtis in VA : 8/3/2014 2:42 pm : link
.
You got me  
mattlawson : 8/3/2014 2:42 pm : link
I had to wait for Gary's timer to go off
Eric,  
AnishPatel : 8/3/2014 2:50 pm : link
I am not sure it was strange. He is an injury prone player coming back from injury in his contract year. I believe we had an asshat post on here too. It would seem Nicks wanted to take care of himself and not go 100% because it was his contract year and this started during the off season.

I think that 0-6 start pretty much made him throw in the towel. No Tds and he knew he wasn't going to get a pay day. It sucks but I am not sure I'd think it's strange.

...  
SanFranGiantsFan : 8/3/2014 3:14 pm : link
Maybe that injury has totally sapped him off his burst & playmaking ability? I don't know. I'm just speculating.

It's not like all of a sudden he forgot how to play the game. The dude was an absolute beast at times, especially during that '11 playoff run.
no TD's may have had something to do with  
HomerJones45 : 8/3/2014 3:16 pm : link
Mr. Scattergun throwing the ball. Tough to score TD's when the ball is consistently thrown 10 feet over your head on the corner route.

We had the 32nd ranked passer in the NFL throwing the ball and it's a big mystery why Nicks didn't score any TD's.
RE: no TD's may have had something to do with  
robbieballs2003 : 8/3/2014 3:22 pm : link
In comment 11791652 HomerJones45 said:
Quote:
Mr. Scattergun throwing the ball. Tough to score TD's when the ball is consistently thrown 10 feet over your head on the corner route.

We had the 32nd ranked passer in the NFL throwing the ball and it's a big mystery why Nicks didn't score any TD's.


If your theory were to hold water then you are saying that Luck sucks.
RE: no TD's may have had something to do with  
UConn4523 : 8/3/2014 3:22 pm : link
In comment 11791652 HomerJones45 said:
Quote:
Mr. Scattergun throwing the ball. Tough to score TD's when the ball is consistently thrown 10 feet over your head on the corner route.

We had the 32nd ranked passer in the NFL throwing the ball and it's a big mystery why Nicks didn't score any TD's.


Nicks dogged it all year, what does that have to do with our QB? Bad season or not for Eli, Nicks have up. Glad he's gone.
Well now King Andrew  
bceagle05 : 8/3/2014 3:23 pm : link
is tossing him the pigskin, so I'm sure we'll see a return to 2011 production. Somehow Cruz, Randle, Jernigan and even Brandon Myers managed to catch TDs from Mr. Scattergun last year.
While I agree  
BlueManFu : 8/3/2014 3:25 pm : link
That a league worst OL/QB/RB situation was a factor in Nicks' 0 TD year, he also seemed to play at a different level (less effective) of speed and AA last year, whether that be because of injury, or contract year strategy, or a combination of both.

But, although it's early, it's very telling that he hasn't been the same guy in colts camp either, with a good situation and a fresh start.
...  
Toth029 : 8/3/2014 3:26 pm : link
Nicks played hard in 2012, despite being hurt, but he was downright awful in 2013. Even giving up on plays. Good luck in Indy.
"Getting himself in game shape"?  
Bobby Epps : 8/3/2014 3:26 pm : link
IIRC he said shortly after signing with the Colts that he could be a "dangerous" WR with that QB (Luck).

Sounds like he could be in danger of not making the Colts final roster when the Colts HC makes a statement like that.
RE: no TD's may have had something to do with  
Bramton1 : 8/3/2014 3:26 pm : link
In comment 11791652 HomerJones45 said:
Quote:
Mr. Scattergun throwing the ball. Tough to score TD's when the ball is consistently thrown 10 feet over your head on the corner route.

We had the 32nd ranked passer in the NFL throwing the ball and it's a big mystery why Nicks didn't score any TD's.


By your theory, Nicks should be impressing people at Colts camp. But he isn't.
He's lazy  
Giants2012 : 8/3/2014 3:28 pm : link
that's his problem
AnishPatel  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 8/3/2014 3:29 pm : link
I don't really agree with that.

By all accounts, there wasn't really a significant injury issue last year. And the one he had in 2012 was more nagging than a serious structural problem (i.e., a blown out knee).

He had every motivation in the world to play well even if the Giants were sucking - his contract.

He seemed to dog it and in the most important game of the season for the Giants, Coughlin decided not to play him even though Nicks said he would play (and said after the game he could have played).

We're talking about a then-25 year old player, two years removed from a monster post-season run. And 9th all-time on the Giants receiving list.

Last year, you could argue he should have been benched. Benched at 25 with no serious injury issue...the team's 9th all-time receiver?

Weird.
Last year was bizarre.  
arcarsenal : 8/3/2014 3:31 pm : link
I went back and forth about 100 times on "he's not 100%" and "he's making business decisions"

He was one of my favorite players this team has ever had. It was really hard for me to believe that he had just mailed it in. But if he didn't, what exactly was the issue?
.  
Big Blue '56 : 8/3/2014 3:33 pm : link
Quote:
...The talent is undeniable. But how can Nicks not show up for the most important training camp of his life in game shape?..



Perhaps for the same reason he sucked during his contract year?
"Getting in Game Shape"..  
Danthebigbluefan : 8/3/2014 3:37 pm : link
didn't we hear that a lot? Because he was always injured? Immense talent, great potential, but has spent his career trying to get himself in "game shape."

Nicks' time here will always be special to me.  
SoDev : 8/3/2014 3:39 pm : link
I'm a UNC fan, I wanted him drafted and we got him. He was great and the Superbowl run was something extra special. To see him fall off a cliff since the TB game 2 years ago was terrible. Maybe he just lost a step through all of his injuries. I'd rather believe that than he lost his heart.
nothwithstanding the Mr Scattergun analysis  
gidiefor : Mod : 8/3/2014 3:43 pm : link
Nicks didn't catch the ball very much when it was thrown to him within arms length last year;

and even-so - the real analysis can take place during the season this year after we see what Nicks and the Colts do - and Eli and the Giants do

It will be real interesting if Nicks season this year is a dog and Eli and the Giants start making hay.

Then I predict that HomerJones will revise his theory to the following: Eli was just prejudiced against Nicks last season and tried to make him look bad on purpose - and now Nicks is so depressed that he can't function on any team - yeah - Eli tried to poisoned him and stepped on his foot intentionally a few times - yeah - then there were the mysterious phone calls where Eli disguised his voice and taunted Nicks - calling him a little girl in WR clothes
Eric,  
AnishPatel : 8/3/2014 3:44 pm : link


He was still recovering from the season before. He didn't go 100% and he tweaked his hamstring I believe in training camp and stayed out longer than usual. I believe it was a week extra.

That was when I thought to myself that he really is in pay day mode. Where you are trying to save that body for the season, and the whole priority is to get paid. I really feel after that 0-6 start, with sacks, and ints, and just a shit show play by all, that's when the towel was thrown in.

That's why I don't really think it's odd. Just an example of someone who went all in to get paid, and tried to plan his actions along with it, and in the end it all went
south.

You can even make the case it probably offended him that Cruz got paid and not Nicks. So once that pay day was going away due to a shitty start of the season and shit show on offense, I guess the attitude became, why try? How am I going to get a TD, when the offense sucks? I can understand it. I don't agree and the way he went out was dreadful, but I can understand his point.

You try to play it safe and gear yourself around showing the team you should have gotten paid first, and the NFL this is what you can do, now pay me. But in the end, that idea went to shit.
He stopped playing  
RetroJint : 8/3/2014 3:46 pm : link
in the Atlanta game the previous season. 2 picks charged to Eli on inside routes that Nicks gave up on. He wouldnt compete for the ball. Last season was just a continuation. Barron on Tampa Bay essentially ended his career. And his antics against the 'Hawks last season were deplorable.
Nicks' lasting memory from 2013  
BigBlueinChicago : 8/3/2014 3:47 pm : link
I agree with Eric  
SoDev : 8/3/2014 3:49 pm : link
And about the benching part. That is the oddest part. He wasn't just having a down year, he actually seemed to be hurting the offense even being out there at times. Guess the benching kind of confirms that.
He followed one...  
Ryan : 8/3/2014 3:51 pm : link
..of the best post season performances by a WR in history with a season where he breaks his foot day one of camp and then struggles all year with a knee injury (by the Atlanta game he absolutely no explosion out of his breaks). Neither ended with a contract extension while Cruz got one.

I can understand why he'd feel deflated but it had to have run deeper and I wouldn't be surprised if there were some unpublished transgressions along the way. The market spoke loud and clear to him whether it be his health-related risks or personal issues (by comparison - look what Greg Jennings got from the Vikings - a comparable WR coming off injury who is 4-5 years older).

The opportunities for him were there and the indications he wasn't in it were apparent very early - go watch the shit show he put on in the first half of the Jets PS game last year.
Nicks also had alligator arms  
EricJ (formerly Tyleraimee) : 8/3/2014 3:54 pm : link
on a few instances last year. That is a player lacking heart...not one who is hurt. Not saying he was not dealing with an injury, but combine that with being mentally checked out and you get what we got.

I was proud of Coughlin  
bceagle05 : 8/3/2014 3:55 pm : link
for benching his ass against Dallas.
Anish  
SoDev : 8/3/2014 3:56 pm : link
Could be right, though. I hope that wasn't it because all he did was show what not to do, do what he did to not get paid. The Giants being 0-6 means nothing if he caught 10 TD's in the last 10 games. He'd got paid like the champ he was.
...  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 8/3/2014 4:01 pm : link
the 2012 Tampa Bay was the game where everything switched. He and Eli just dominated that game in the second half...against Talib no less.

He gets hurt... and he never got his mojo back.

I never saw him as a slacker ever...until I had my doubts last year, when you saw plays like in the first Eagles game where he just gave up on a route (and an INT was the result).

Weird thing...he never bitched....he never complained...he said all the right things... he seemed to be a good teammate.

But the Giants pretty much couldn't wait to part ways with him in the offseason.

The whole thing is weird. He should be entering his prime NOW. He's 26 with no serious structural physical issues (i.e., torn ACL). He had minor arthroscopic surgery in February 2013 on the knee.
Makes you wonder ...  
FStubbs : 8/3/2014 4:06 pm : link
... Eli deserves his fair share of blame for some of the downright awful INTs he threw last year, but if Nicks falters, then we're talking about a guy who can't get on the field ahead of T.Y. Hilton and an ancient decrepit Reggie Wayne who the offense was geared toward.
This is special.  
manh george : 8/3/2014 4:06 pm : link
Mr. Scatterbrain going on about Mr. Scattergun.

Yeah, Eli had an off year. We know all of the reasons why, even if Homer doesn't. On the other hand, Cruz was still able to be pretty effective, and Nicks was supposed to ultimately be the better talent, with those huge hands and upper body strength.

TD:
Cruz 6
Randle 4
Myers 4
Nicks 0

Mr. Scatterbrain, please analyze those stats in the context of Eli being the problem.
RE: ...  
rdt288 : 8/3/2014 4:08 pm : link
I agree. Whole time w giants after that Tampa bay game was beyond strange


In comment 11791702 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
the 2012 Tampa Bay was the game where everything switched. He and Eli just dominated that game in the second half...against Talib no less.

He gets hurt... and he never got his mojo back.

I never saw him as a slacker ever...until I had my doubts last year, when you saw plays like in the first Eagles game where he just gave up on a route (and an INT was the result).

Weird thing...he never bitched....he never complained...he said all the right things... he seemed to be a good teammate.

But the Giants pretty much couldn't wait to part ways with him in the offseason.

The whole thing is weird. He should be entering his prime NOW. He's 26 with no serious structural physical issues (i.e., torn ACL). He had minor arthroscopic surgery in February 2013 on the knee.
What an awful waste of a draft pick...  
manh george : 8/3/2014 4:14 pm : link
he ended up being. Even with his early success, he provided no longevity, which is what you hope for from a top-ranked wr.

Weird and sad.
What was weird, though..  
arcarsenal : 8/3/2014 4:17 pm : link
Was that he looked fine against Dallas during the opener last year. Or at least I thought so. But there were very few other times during the year where he seemed to be himself.
RE: What an awful waste of a draft pick...  
arcarsenal : 8/3/2014 4:17 pm : link
In comment 11791714 manh george said:
Quote:
he ended up being. Even with his early success, he provided no longevity, which is what you hope for from a top-ranked wr.

Weird and sad.


I don't agree that he was a waste of a pick.. because he played an integral role in us winning the Super Bowl in 2012. I think that alone pretty much made it worth it.
RE: What an awful waste of a draft pick...  
SoDev : 8/3/2014 4:18 pm : link
In comment 11791714 manh george said:
Quote:
he ended up being. Even with his early success, he provided no longevity, which is what you hope for from a top-ranked wr.

Weird and sad.


Are you kidding? He played a key role in and won a freaking Superbowl. He is was a great pick.
It sucks from a Giants fans perspective on him.  
St. Jimmy : 8/3/2014 4:20 pm : link
I loved the guy as a Giant until last year. He was one of my favorite players since he was drafted. I don't want him to fail but on the same token, it would suck to see 2011 Hakeem Nicks in another uniform.
He basically quit on the team in 2013  
JonC : 8/3/2014 4:22 pm : link
Not wanting to get injured in a contract year etc is all true, but it's not excuse either, and NYG did not look past it. He played himself off the team.

The Tampa 2012 game was the fulcrum, Cruz being extended first seemed to mess with Nicks' head.
I dont think its that hard to understand.  
FatHeadTommy : 8/3/2014 4:33 pm : link
I think he is just one of those guys who doesn't really love the game. He may have liked it when he started playing way back when, but at some point it became a means to an end ... women ..... money .... fame. When those ends had been achieved, the game was just a job and from all of my years of watching, never played really, this isn't the kind of game you can last in and overcome all that has to be overcome unless you either love the game or are just a crazy driven competitor type. I think Nicks just lost interest in the game itself.
FHT  
JonC : 8/3/2014 4:36 pm : link
I'd agree that's also in the equation. Football requires an incredible amount of will, emotion, and perseverance to succeed.
HomerJones45  
dep026 : 8/3/2014 4:39 pm : link
in middle season form already. Gotta love his consistency.
Reggie Wayne, coming back from a torn ACL, by all reports  
Bobby Epps : 8/3/2014 4:44 pm : link
is having a great camp; his coach is raving about him.

This is the same coach saying that Nicks is still getting in game shape.

What did Nicks think in the off-season- that with Wayne coming off a serious injury that Nicks could just waltz right in?

After stealing last year's salary from the Giants maybe he thinks that he can steal this year's from the Colts.
RE: Anish  
AnishPatel : 8/3/2014 4:45 pm : link
In comment 11791699 SoDev said:
Quote:
Could be right, though. I hope that wasn't it because all he did was show what not to do, do what he did to not get paid. The Giants being 0-6 means nothing if he caught 10 TD's in the last 10 games. He'd got paid like the champ he was.


SD,

Yeah true, however, it was a systematic shit show across the board. Forget TDs, our offense sucked at every level. It really was epic in the way they were inept. Mara summed it up perfectly by calling it broken. We saw cracks the prior years but this thing flat out broke.
RE: ...  
AnishPatel : 8/3/2014 4:50 pm : link
In comment 11791702 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
the 2012 Tampa Bay was the game where everything switched. He and Eli just dominated that game in the second half...against Talib no less.

He gets hurt... and he never got his mojo back.

I never saw him as a slacker ever...until I had my doubts last year, when you saw plays like in the first Eagles game where he just gave up on a route (and an INT was the result).

Weird thing...he never bitched....he never complained...he said all the right things... he seemed to be a good teammate.

But the Giants pretty much couldn't wait to part ways with him in the offseason.

The whole thing is weird. He should be entering his prime NOW. He's 26 with no serious structural physical issues (i.e., torn ACL). He had minor arthroscopic surgery in February 2013 on the knee.



Eric, I agree with that. That TB game where the CB jumped and landed on his foot. That changed it all. That was a turning a point in his career. I don't think that's his personality to bitch and complete. He just stayed quiet and his attitude was displayed via his play. That damn slant route he just stopped on was bull shit. I was watching him the prior play, on the go route. He came back to the LOS later, and then they snapped the ball and the fool flat out stopped. That play made me sour on him.

I agree that the Giants couldn't wait to part ways. I remember the media interviewing Nicks about getting in touch with the team regarding a new contract, and he said they hadn't talked. That was pretty much direct way of saying thanks, but no thanks.

He has no new injuries but all those lower leg injuries add up. It's not like he is the tallest guy or 4.3 guy. So in the end he wins on body position and use of his hands to pluck the ball out of the air. Maybe he isn't happy that he didn't get that pay day. Perhaps, his agent fed him information that he would be wanted based on past success.

Either way, I am glad he is gone. Let's see if OB can stay healthy and contribute now this season.
Nicks blew off OTAs, was late to meetings  
ZogZerg : 8/3/2014 4:53 pm : link
and seemed to care less how well he played during his contract year last year. It's not a surprise he hasn't picked up his new offense yet.

Pre-draft Nicks was tagged as being lazy. Maybe there is something to that and he hasn't put in the effort to learn the new offense.

He still has plenty of time to impress. I wouldn't write him off yet. But if he doesn't do well with Indy then he is done.
Don't Draw Any Conclusions  
Samiam : 8/3/2014 4:55 pm : link
How many years have we wee guys have a great training camp and then suck when the games start and visa versa? To draw any conclusions at this point in time is a waste? He could get into games as a 3rd WR for the Colts and totally destroy a DB one on one. How do we know what's going to happen? The fact that the Giants made no offer to keep him and he didn't sign for much says something but let the games play out before writing him (or anybody) off.
Hey, there could be personal problems...  
M.S. : 8/3/2014 5:03 pm : link

...that we just know nothing about.

Nada.

Who knows?

He comes from a very interesting family background and maybe that has interfered in some way with his personal life that has spilled over into his professional life.

It happens.
100% agree with E about the bizarre nature of Nicks' downfall.  
BlueLou : 8/3/2014 5:24 pm : link
Watching him play his 1st 3 years in the league and I'd have sworn he loved the game and the competitive nature of it. As for talent, I think Nicks was the most talented WR I'd ever seen on the Giants, really considerably more talented than Plax and probably even more talented than Homer Jones. The guy had it all as a WR, just a superb athlete.

Quote:
The fact that the Giants made no offer to keep him and he didn't sign for much says something but let the games play out before writing him (or anybody) off.


I disagree; those points don't say something they say everything. Something is very wrong with Mr. Nicks' approach to the game.
See you in November...  
Klaatu : 8/3/2014 5:32 pm : link
Hicks.
RE: Makes you wonder ...  
Sonic Youth : 8/3/2014 5:33 pm : link
In comment 11791706 FStubbs said:
Quote:
... Eli deserves his fair share of blame for some of the downright awful INTs he threw last year, but if Nicks falters, then we're talking about a guy who can't get on the field ahead of T.Y. Hilton and an ancient decrepit Reggie Wayne who the offense was geared toward.

TY Hilton is a damned good receiver, though.
RE: What an awful waste of a draft pick...  
Sonic Youth : 8/3/2014 5:36 pm : link
In comment 11791714 manh george said:
Quote:
he ended up being. Even with his early success, he provided no longevity, which is what you hope for from a top-ranked wr.

Weird and sad.

Waste of a draft pick? We got 3 and a half years of a top 5-7 WR, and a superbowl out of it.
Too much ...  
Mike in Raleigh : 8/3/2014 5:54 pm : link
pot-smoking ??? Heh ???
RE: I dont think its that hard to understand.  
TMS : 8/3/2014 6:49 pm : link
In comment 11791725 FatHeadTommy said:
[quote] I think he is just one of those guys who doesn't really love the game. He may have liked it when he started playing way back when, but at some point it became a means to an end ... women ..... money .... fame. When those ends had been achieved, the game was just a job and from all of my years of watching, never played really, this isn't the kind of game you can last in and overcome all that has to be overcome unless you either love the game or are just a crazy driven competitor type. I think Nicks just lost interest in the game itself. [/quote This may be right on the money. Last year he looked like a different player who was not trying very hard. Unless his injuries disabled him more than is reported.
It wasn't just 2013, he fell off a cliff  
barens : 8/3/2014 6:51 pm : link
in 2012 after having that incredible game against Tampa.
Also mention on NFL.com  
ZogZerg : 8/3/2014 7:02 pm : link
Nothing new, but it's making news.
Nicks not in shape... - ( New Window )
Nicks completely dogged it in SD last year  
ronburgandy : 8/3/2014 7:16 pm : link
He was in full me-first mode that entire game and made Eli look bad. Two INTs were completely Nicks' fault dogging it out there. And he was laughing on the sideline right after each one.
RE: no TD's may have had something to do with  
LauderdaleMatty : 8/3/2014 7:22 pm : link
In comment 11791652 HomerJones45 said:
[quote] Mr. Scattergun throwing the ball. Tough to score TD's when the ball is consistently thrown 10 feet over your head on the corner route.

We had the 32nd ranked passer in the NFL throwing the ball and it's a big mystery why Nicks didn't score any TD's. [/


YUP. all Eli non fact so for he threw zero TDs it was obviously him and not the guy who skipped OTAs or the guy who half assed his routes.

Great post though. Really.
You can always count on  
Exit 172 : 8/3/2014 7:33 pm : link
Gene in Torrington for a really stupid post.
RE: What an awful waste of a draft pick...  
SanFranGiantsFan : 8/3/2014 7:39 pm : link
In comment 11791714 manh george said:
Quote:
he ended up being. Even with his early success, he provided no longevity, which is what you hope for from a top-ranked wr.

Weird and sad.


What an absurd, illogical, & frankly stupid post. You can get on him for performance last season, but to call him a 'waste of a draft pick' is ridiculous.
Then by that logic  
Headhunter : 8/3/2014 7:43 pm : link
Ike Hilliard was a waste of a draft pick.
I  
AcidTest : 8/3/2014 7:53 pm : link
agree with Eric. Nicks's fall was the strangest I have ever seen. He had everything to play for last year, but offered nothing.
No surprise at all  
RobCarpenter : 8/3/2014 7:57 pm : link
The rest of the league didn't like what they saw last season either. I doubt he wants to work hard anymore.
It's really weird that HJ45 would be a Nicks defender, given how  
Riggies : 8/3/2014 8:07 pm : link
if he had a problem with the team, it was pretty obviously with the coaches and particularly with Tom Coughlin and Kevin Gilbride.

He skipped the team's OTAs and had other issues with the staff's requests, but he actually showed up when "Mr Scattergun" asked him to, to work out with him at UNC -- before he was even officially cleared physically, IIRC.
All in all, I don't see how anyone can determine  
barens : 8/4/2014 12:07 am : link
That he dogged it, or was just fighting injuries for the last year and a half.

I know he's only 25 or 26, but not all great players get to play for 10 years or so, sometimes, injuries just catch up to them, and there's not much you can do about it.
People are *still* insisting last year was Nicks making a 'business  
vibe4giants : 8/4/2014 9:46 am : link
decision'?

So not a lot of business majors on here.
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