Plaxico was all height. Hakeem had hands and moves. I think he was more of a YAC receiver than Plax, but plax in the corner was almost as lock down as Mariano....
Plaxico, because he had the speed to break away (see the Jets game in 2007) and had the size to out jump defenders in the end zone (see many examples, particularly vs. the Eagles in the Osi sack game).
At the peak of his peak (although it was short-lived) Â
It would be Nicks. He had it all. Hands, speed, the ability to get open and make the catch and break tackles... plus the size and athletic ability to make catches in traffic. He was absolutely dominant. And in the 2011 playoffs when it counted most he was T.O.-like, no exaggeration.
BTW- I never noticed this, but the best seasons Nicks and Burress had for the Giants, respectively,were extremely similar. Both has 76 receptions and 7 TDs, Burress for 1214 yards and Nicks for 1192 Yards. Literally the same exact stats with just 22 yards difference (Nicks in 2011, Burress in 2005).
I don't know what it is, maybe because he was past his prime years by the time Eli took over, but Toomer gets weirdly forgotten and overlooked around here. The only Giants receiver I'd take over him is Odell.
I think Plax was vastly overrated. Great size, ok speed, questionable hands, and for whatever reason he led to several miscues. Give me Nicks and then Toomer. Nicks could have been great had he stayed healthy. Unfortunately he was one of many along with smith and cruz that had their careers cut short.
Think NFC Championship in Green Bay. Packers couldn't cover him. He killed Al Harris. Toomer had some key catches in that game and had a great game in Dallas as well and Nicks was terrific in the 2011 playoffs but Plaxico at his best was a force and he and Eli were a great combination.
...Nicks was devastating in his prime. League record holder for playoff receiving yardage all time at one point, not sure if it still holds.
Toomer BY FAR is #1 all-time in team receiving yards, #1 in TD's as well. 5 consecutive 1,000yd+ seasons. Not as flashy as Beckham, Cruz, he was still plenty elusive, was a return man early on. He was the first great Giant wideout going back to the 60's. An absolute breath of fresh air. He and Hilliard were a fantastic pair. Really happy AT was on that 2007 team, got a ring and played an important role in that last great drive, with a key catch and a fantastic pick that sprung Steve Smith on 3rd and 11.
over Plax or Hakeem. Remember, when Eli came onboard, Toomer was nearing the end. Would have been interesting to see that offense if Toomer were still in his prime.
I also think I'd take Nicks over Plax, but that's a toss up. Plax was more of a physical specimen but I think Nicks was the better route runner and gave more consistent effort.
and its not even close. He put it all together, but was healthy for a short window.
In that window, their weren't many that could hang with his change of direction, hands, power, and routes.
Plaxico was good for longer, but his highs weren't as High as Hakeems.
Toomer didn't have as strong of tools as Plax and Nicks.. but his body catching limited his effective radius.
Plax was so talented, he really could (should) have been more dominating on a consistent basis though. Toomer on the other hand was half as talented and did as much as he could with what he had. Love the guy.
1a. Nicks. The best pure WR of the 3. Sneaky fast and great hands. Injured too often, though.
1b. Plax. Not the route runner or greatest catcher but he scared the hell out of D coordinators. Can't teach size. Always had to be accounted for and was hugely responsible for the success of the running game.
2. Toomer. Steady, but for a time in 2002 was virtually uncoverable. Elite status on a team that had mainly garbage at WR otherwise although Shockey was there.
right up until that Tampa game where Talib stepped on his ankle/foot. He was never the same after that. Nicks was on his way towards a monster season that year.
In 2011 I thought he played better football than the other two ever did.
Plax was the most talented, but talent isn't everything. A receiver has to be trusted to run the right route. Or show up to practice, or not shoot himself.
At his peak, Plax was almost unstoppable. His problem was self Â
Toomer was solid, very reliable, but never equaled Plax A game.
Nicks was a shooting star, but injuries took away his game. If he could have continued, He probably could have been as consistent as Toomer and close to as dominant as Plax.
At their peak, I would say Plax, 1; Nicks, 2; Toomer, 3. No one else to consider unless you go back to Homer Jones and Del Shofner, both ranking above Nicks in my mind.
he was 6'3" 209 LBs and ran a 4.4; smooth route runner, great hands, and played during a time before the passing offenses truly exploded. His quarterbacks included Dave Brown, Kent Graham, Danny Kanell, Kerry Collins, Jesse Palmer, and a very young Eli and still had had 5 straight seasons with 1000 yards is impresive; Burress was on NYG for 4 years, and had 2 good seasons. Nicks also had 2 seasons with 1000 yards with Eli in his prime, and a bunch of other major weapons around him. I think Amani's 2002 season he was unguardable.
how game changing Burress' mere presence was. When he was on the field defenses were compelled to keep a safety over the top.
When Buress was playing that year the Giants ran the table on each of the NLF's best teams. What was it, 8 in a row against teams with winning records? I recall that that was, and still is, an NFL record for consecutive wins versus teams with winning records. Moreover, during that run, the Giants beat both teams that made it to the Superbowl as well as other teams that made deep playoff runs.
I do not recall either Toomer or Nicks having the same effect on defenses.
Is that Toomer actually had the best best season of them all. 82 rec, 1343 yards, 8 TDs (in 2002).
And yet not a single trip to Hawaii between all three of them. Now that is straight up robbery.
I don't think it's robbery, Giants fans really overrate our WR's. Probably because we never had any for years.
Toomer absolutely was robbed in 2002 - Marty Booker made it over him with 97-1189-6 versus Toomer's 82-1343-8. Toomer wasn't even the alternate, Donald Driver was, also with an inferior season to Toomer's (70-1064-9).
ah, a golden oldie, the myth of "Plax won games with his presence!" Â
Toomer a distant third.
Both Nicks and Plax had plenty of moments quitting on routes getting balls picked off.
Amani was sneaky good, always where he was supposed to be and a sideline magician.
BTW- I never noticed this, but the best seasons Nicks and Burress had for the Giants, respectively,were extremely similar. Both has 76 receptions and 7 TDs, Burress for 1214 yards and Nicks for 1192 Yards. Literally the same exact stats with just 22 yards difference (Nicks in 2011, Burress in 2005).
And yet not a single trip to Hawaii between all three of them. Now that is straight up robbery.
Toomer was a body catcher, so was limited. To this day, I've never seen a WR that was a better in-bounds toe tapper than Toomer.
Toomer BY FAR is #1 all-time in team receiving yards, #1 in TD's as well. 5 consecutive 1,000yd+ seasons. Not as flashy as Beckham, Cruz, he was still plenty elusive, was a return man early on. He was the first great Giant wideout going back to the 60's. An absolute breath of fresh air. He and Hilliard were a fantastic pair. Really happy AT was on that 2007 team, got a ring and played an important role in that last great drive, with a key catch and a fantastic pick that sprung Steve Smith on 3rd and 11.
Toomer was a body catcher, so was limited. To this day, I've never seen a WR that was a better in-bounds toe tapper than Toomer.
Ike Hilliard was the best. His intangibles were off the charts.
I also think I'd take Nicks over Plax, but that's a toss up. Plax was more of a physical specimen but I think Nicks was the better route runner and gave more consistent effort.
Plax was vary good at being a big WR. Knew how to use his body and size well.
Toomer was just very reliable. Not exceptional in any category.
In that window, their weren't many that could hang with his change of direction, hands, power, and routes.
Plaxico was good for longer, but his highs weren't as High as Hakeems.
Toomer didn't have as strong of tools as Plax and Nicks.. but his body catching limited his effective radius.
1b. Plax. Not the route runner or greatest catcher but he scared the hell out of D coordinators. Can't teach size. Always had to be accounted for and was hugely responsible for the success of the running game.
2. Toomer. Steady, but for a time in 2002 was virtually uncoverable. Elite status on a team that had mainly garbage at WR otherwise although Shockey was there.
Plax was the most talented, but talent isn't everything. A receiver has to be trusted to run the right route. Or show up to practice, or not shoot himself.
Toomer was solid, very reliable, but never equaled Plax A game.
Nicks was a shooting star, but injuries took away his game. If he could have continued, He probably could have been as consistent as Toomer and close to as dominant as Plax.
At their peak, I would say Plax, 1; Nicks, 2; Toomer, 3. No one else to consider unless you go back to Homer Jones and Del Shofner, both ranking above Nicks in my mind.
And yet not a single trip to Hawaii between all three of them. Now that is straight up robbery.
I don't think it's robbery, Giants fans really overrate our WR's. Probably because we never had any for years.
When Buress was playing that year the Giants ran the table on each of the NLF's best teams. What was it, 8 in a row against teams with winning records? I recall that that was, and still is, an NFL record for consecutive wins versus teams with winning records. Moreover, during that run, the Giants beat both teams that made it to the Superbowl as well as other teams that made deep playoff runs.
I do not recall either Toomer or Nicks having the same effect on defenses.
Quote:
Is that Toomer actually had the best best season of them all. 82 rec, 1343 yards, 8 TDs (in 2002).
And yet not a single trip to Hawaii between all three of them. Now that is straight up robbery.
I don't think it's robbery, Giants fans really overrate our WR's. Probably because we never had any for years.
Toomer absolutely was robbed in 2002 - Marty Booker made it over him with 97-1189-6 versus Toomer's 82-1343-8. Toomer wasn't even the alternate, Donald Driver was, also with an inferior season to Toomer's (70-1064-9).