Tag Archives: Hakeem Nicks
The Giants conducted their first practice in preparation for next Sunday’s Super Bowl showdown with New England.
It was no surprise that RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) sat out as well as WR Hakeem Nicks (shoulder). The guess is both will be taking it easier than normal with no game this week.
S Tyler Sash (concussion) was cleared to practice and DE Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee) was limited as usual.
Also not practicing in full today were CB Corey Webster (hamstring), LB Chase Blackburn (neck), DB Will Blackmon (knee), C David Baas (abdomen) and LB Jacquian Williams (foot).
From the ownership group, two injuries to report: Mrs. Ann Mara fell the other day and broke her shoulder. Treasurer Jon Tisch was hobbling around TIMEX today on crutches in a cast.
Up in Foxbourough, the Patriots’ practice report was exactly the same as it was yesterday. TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle) was the only player who did not participate in practice. No word on when he’ll attempt to get back on the field.
“We’ll just have to see, you know,” Bill Belichick said. “He’s not going to practice today, so take it day by day. I’m not going to try to forecast where things will be 10 days from now. We’ll just take it day by day.”
Tagged Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants News |
So what has me agitated this evening? For a while my biggest issue with this matchup was knowing that Aaron Ross was once again going to opt to wear those ugly white cleats that make him look like an extra on Saved By The Bell.
I thought about getting desperate, reaching down into my soul, and ranting about how game time beer commercials have gone from hilarious to ridiculous. At no point have I ever turned to a male friend and lectured him on the quality of his light beer choice.
When your buddy buys a VW Beetle because he likes how Katy Perry sounds on the stereo system, then you say something. When your buddy is late to the bar because he’s still in line at a Snooki book signing you douse him in lighter fluid, light a match, and then you sure as Hell say something. Priorities, people.
Tagged Ahmad Bradshaw, Alex Smith, Brandon Jacobs, Eli Manning, Frank Gore, Hakeem Nicks, Vernon Davis, Victor Cruz |
The New York Giants, for the second time in 4 years, punched the bully in the mouth and knocked him to the turf.
And a superstar has emerged.
Over the first two weeks of the NFL playoffs the New York Giants have faced Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, Julio Jones, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley and James Jones, yet the best receiver on the field was No. 88–Hakeem Nicks.
“Hakeem Nicks is blossoming into a big time play maker of the first order” – Rich Eisen, NFL Network.
Tagged Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants |
The NFL Playoffs have a different meaning to each and every player; however, if it’s your first time at the dance it’s always a special experience. For wide receiver No. 88 Hakeem Nicks, this was the first time since being drafted in 2009 that he was able to show off his skills on this nationwide playoff platform.
Back in 2009, the NFL draft was stocked full of wide receivers with impressive stats and sought-after skills. The mock drafts and “big” boards were full of big-time college wide receivers. The New York Giants invested in one and never looked back.
Hakeem Nicks has been the difference in Eli Manning‘s offense and his presence is what the offense is built around.
Read on and see how Hakeem Nicks is pound for pound the best wide receiver of his 2009 class and then some and realize how he took control of the Falcons,
Tagged Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants |
I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Kevin Gilbride. You sir have risen from the ashes of my defeat and given me immeasurable hope. Because of you Giants Nation can rejoice in the knowledge that I, Mr. Bad Guy am not in fact dead.
You may have thought I was getting weak. I wouldn’t blame you. The last post I wrote while watching QVC and hemming your sister’s skirt. I was overflowing with joy; straight up giddy in fact. Sue me.
But I took a long look in the mirror this morning. I wiped the smile from my face. No points allowed on defense? Great, that’s their job isn’t it? Eli throws 3 TDs and the rushing attack combines for over 100 yards? Good to know. But those first couple drives? C’mon KillDrive are you serious?
Tagged Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora, Rocky Bernard, Victor Cruz |
WR Hakeem Nicks came into this season as the Giants’ top receiver. Then Victor Cruz burst on the scene, making big plays in big spots and Nicks was suddenly yesterday’s news.
And that’s just fine with Nicks and the Giants. It’s working to their advantage.
Nothing is wrong with Nicks. Yes, he had a case of the dropsies midway through this season and dealt with a hamstring injury that slowed him down a bit, but he is still a big time threat. He caught 76 passes for 1,192 yards and scored seven TDs. Not bad for a “number two” receiver.
Today, Nicks – who is actually fourteen months younger than Cruz – made the Atlanta Falcons pay for taking him for granted. He grabbed six passes for 115 yards and two TDs. In the process, he had a 72-yard scoring romp, the longest of his career. Nicks doesn’t begrudge Cruz anything nor does he feel slighted.
Tagged Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants, NFL Playoffs |
As the first ever playoff game in MetLife Stadium draws nearer, comparisons are swirling regarding the 2011 squad’s resemblance to the World Champion 2007 Giants team. For the most part, I too can see the resemblance.
Just like in the summer of ‘07, the Giants weren’t expected to make much noise this season. After making quick free agent splashes with top UDFA Mark Herzlich and C David Baas, Big Blue found itself sitting idly by as other teams stole headlines and marquee names.
GM Jerry Reese was under serious fire before a single preseason snap was played. Two of Eli’s top targets, Steve Smith and Kevin Boss, were allowed to quietly walk out the door and in one case into the arms of the franchise’s most hated rival. Ahmad Bradshaw too was almost not retained, but a pay cut taken by Brandon Jacobs led to his return.
After a season staggered with disappointing losses to lesser opponents (including opening day), the Giants appear to have hit their stride in the closing two weeks. In Week 16 of 2007, it was the Bills that the Giants surged past to clinch a playoff berth and in 2011 they would step on the throats of a free falling Gang Green.
I agree there are similarities, but there is also one alarming difference. Earth, Wind, and Fire is no more. In 2008, Brandon Jacobs teamed with Derrick Ward to amass over 2,000 yards on the ground. The pair was so effective that Ahmad Bradshaw barely even saw the field during the entire campaign despite playing a major roll in the previous post-season success of the franchise.
While Earth, Wind, and Fire are no longer united, perhaps this trio could serve as musical inspiration for the NYG rushing attack. Photo Courtesy: Dailycaller.com
This year, a less effective offensive line and dinged up RBs have hampered Big Blue. The good news, Eli Manning has managed to counter the lack of balance by putting on a passing clinic. He has racked up 4,933 passing yards in 16 games. After publicly claiming that he was in Tom Brady’s class, Manning backed up his words by finishing just 67 yards shy of 5,000. His 15 4th quarter TD’s broke an NFL record that was previously held by big brother Peyton.
Tagged Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Jake Ballard, Julio Jones, Justin Tuck, Matt Ryan, Osi Umenyiora, Roddy White, Tom Coughlin, Tony Gonzalez, Victor Cruz |
Even the Grinch loved Christmas when all was said and done. The Bad Guy is no different. But I fear that my letter to Santa might not reach his icy domain in time. Unlike the thousands of kids across the country who had their head on straight and got a jump on the wish list writing before Thanksgiving, I did not have a gift request until earlier this week. I wished for a TE and it looks like Santa is sleeping on the job.
With Ballard officially ruled out for this afternoon’s tilt against the Jets the Giants might be caught with their red velvet pants down around their black leather boots. Even if they do suit up, both Bear Pascoe and Travis Beckum are battling injuries that have been hampering them throughout the month. They were limited in practice today.
The Jets struggle against TE’s which makes the razor thin depth chart particularly frustrating. Ordinarily, the situation would not be ideal. Compound it with the fact Mario Manningham is likely a no-go today and the Giants officially can’t get out of their own way.
Jake Ballard (85) will be sorely missed today. His presence in the passing game has far exceeded expectations. Photo Courtesy LA Times
Tagged Eli Manning, Giants-Jets, Hakeem Nicks, Jake Ballard, Mark Sanchez, New York Giants, NFL Playoffs, Tom Coughlin, Victor Cruz |
Giants’ wideout Hakeem Nicks is usually a reliable receiver. Today, he wasn’t his reliable self, dropping passes letting some others get away from him. He still made some plays (five catches for 73 yards) but it’s the ones he didn’t make that has people thinking ‘what if’ today.
The Giants’ passing attack was marginalized by wind, sun and aggressive Washington defense. When asked if the Giants’ game-planned around the strong sun, Tom Coughlin said they did not.
“No, that wasn’t the number one reason. The wind was a bigger factor than that.”
Eli Manning believes the Giants should have had success in spite of Nicks’ tough day.
“That was early in the game and obviously would have been nice to have had that (Nicks’ first drop), get a touchdown or get in scoring position. But there were still other opportunities. There were a lot of opportunities in the game. We had a lot of plays in the game that could have been a lot better, could have turned out a lot better for us.”
Tagged Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants |
This morning I sat in my office; blue shirt, blue tie, tailored blue suit. A subtle but gratifying celebration. 8 hours earlier I had begun to type a eulogy for Coughlin’s tenure as Giants Head Coach. I had painted a morbid picture of Tommy paddling furiously against a vicious current. The harder he attempted to reach shore, the quicker the weight tied to his ankles pulled him out to the Atlantic. That weight of course, is Kevin Gilbride.
But as I sat at my desk and retuned this piece, I instead found myself joyously documenting a stay of execution. I considered the high level of play being provided by the offense despite the inadequacy of the coordinator. I reveled in the emergence of a rising defensive star that helped his unit reward the efforts of one of the league’s top QB talents with an outstanding special teams contribution.
Be warned, however, that despite the heat I’ve garnered in the past for not painting a PR picture and playing the role of Pat Hanlon, the following reactions from last night’s game will contain both positive and negative feedback. But I know you’ll keep reading. If you want a story that’s all smiles, buy a Disney movie (I recommend Toy Story, it has not failed to make me laugh hysterically in 16 years). For those of you brave enough, here we go…
Tagged Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Jason Pierre-Paul, Kevin Gilbride, Mario Manningham, Tom Coughlin, Victor Cruz | ← Older posts
