Colts’ Hakeem Nicks Confident View
What Hakeem Nicks lacks in sanity, he more than makes up for in confidence. Nicks spoke to the Indianapolis Star earlier this week. “I still view myself as the best receiver in the league,” Nicks said. “That expectation ain’t never going to change. I’ll get a chance to prove it eventually.”
Three years ago Nicks indeed looked to be one of the leagues’ best receivers, helping the Giants to a Super Bowl win. He was essential in that championship victory, leading all receivers in the game with 10 receptions for 109 yards.
Since 2011, Nicks’ production has dropped off, failing to reach 900 yards in both 2012 and 2013 for the Giants. He only scored 3 touchdowns in 2012 and didn’t score any last year. The NFL is very much a “what have you done for me lately” league, so it was no surprise when the Giants opted not to re-sign him when he hit free agency. Nicks was picked up by the Colts and hoped a paring with Andrew Luck would resurrect his career.
Despite the team change, Nicks again looks to be on pace for another dismal season in 2014. Contrary to his claim that he is the league’s best, Nicks is far from being even the best receiver on his team. His quarter-season mark of 97 receiving yards is only seventh-best among Luck’s weapons.
That mark is tied with rookie Donte Moncrief and well below wide receivers Reggie Wayne (307 yards) and T.Y. Hilton (291 yards) and tight ends Dwayne Allen (145 yards) and Coby Fleener (109 yards). Even running backs Ahmad Bradshaw (139 yards) and Trent Richardson (122 yards) have been more featured in the Colts passing game than Nicks.
Of course, this sort of delusional braggadocio is nothing new to the NFL. But before he even thinks of again comparing himself to the likes of Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, A.J. Green, Julio Jones, and Antonio Brown, the real best receivers in the league, Nicks should probably prove it on the field by putting up more receiving yards than his teammates, who aren’t exactly world-beaters themselves.
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