Mosley: Hicks is Boldin, not Burress

by Ed Valentine on May 15, 2009 9:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

ESPN's Matt Mosley has a tremendous piece on New York Giants' No. 1 pick Hakeem Nicks over on his NFC East Blog.

Here are a couple of snippets.

No matter how much you hear from the Giants about their talented -- if not raw -- group of receivers, Nicks is supposed to eventually replace Burress as the team's big-play receiver. Don't get distracted by all those Ramses Barden features you're reading. He may be built more like Burress, but it's not fair to mention them in the same sentence.

Nicks, though, drew comparisons to Cowboys Hall of Famer Michael Irvin while playing for one of Irvin's old coaches at North Carolina. Butch Davis was on Jimmy Johnson's University of Miami staff in the late '80s and then followed him to the Cowboys, where Irvin was waiting. Davis told Nicks that his fearless style reminded him of Irvin.

Several scouts have told me, though, that Nicks reminds them most of Boldin, a player the Giants have coveted for years. You would think all the expectations might wear on Nicks, but he doesn't seem fazed.

"I really don't feel any pressure," Nicks told me via phone Tuesday. "I just have to keep doing what I did all through college. Actually, it's a lot of the same stuff. We had the same style of offense at North Carolina, so it doesn't feel like a big leap."

Following is a paragraph where I think Mosley is absolutely 100 percent dead-on in his assessment.

Publicly, the Giants will talk about how Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith are projected to start in '09. But in reality, they're hoping Nicks forces his way into the starting lineup during training camp. Everyone always talks about how it takes awhile for receivers to make an impact in this league. Well, the Giants watched Eagles rookie DeSean Jackson make a large impact in '08 and they remember what Boldin did his first couple of seasons with the Cardinals. At some positions, the Giants can afford to have three-year plans. Receiver is not one of those.

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Screw Plaxico!! We need to put the ball in the endzone, Period.

If Nicks can put up half of Boldin’s rookie season numbers and we get the SB, who cares?

Everyone knows where I stand on the 6’6 WR issue, but even I think Mosely could have been a little more tactful about Barden. How does he know what Barden will develop into? Hell, if a knuckle-head like Burress can master the NFL game give the kid a chance. If Burress was so great right out of school, how come the Steeler’s let him go?

by NY17NE14 on May 15, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

Pretty much

I’m tired of the Burress talk and comparisons. Let’s just score, stop the other guys and win games. I don’t care how.

by Ed Valentine on May 15, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Amen to that

It’s to the point that every column you read pertaining to the Giants’ WR’s, they’re reminding us of Plax this and that. We all know what he’s done, now let’s focus on the future and let the chips fall as they may.

It’s not as bad as the Favre news, but personally, it’s close being a Giant fan!

by Hootman on May 15, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

just remember

it’s the exact same thing people said about the Giants 2 years ago, only substitute Plax with Tiki. I doubt you could find a single article written about them between the playoff loss to the Eagles(!) and the 3rd game of the season (goal line stand against the Skins) that didn’t mention Tiki and how the team needed him. That season worked out pretty well, no?

by cjmulrain on May 17, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

very true

and while people only saw glimpses of Brandon Jacobs, no one knew who the hell Derrick Ward was and also no one expected much of Ahmad Bradshaw as a 7th rounder.

Id say Hixon and Smith are much more proven in their situations, and as a rookie Nicks is a bit better coming in than Bradshaw…..

by FreeBradshaw on May 17, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Now you've gone and done it, Ed

You’ve given me a reason to agree with Mosley. He must have had someone ghost write this, lol.

I have the utmost confidence in the coaching staff’s ability to get these new WR’s ready to play for the season, and with the receivers the Giants already have in stock, I think they will be fine.

Let’s keep one thing in mind as well, Hixon has a ton of talent, and he’s only 25! This will only be his third year in the league, and his first season he was primarily a return man. Last season was technically his “rookie year” as far as getting semi-regular time as a wide receiver, and all he did was catch 43 passes for 596 yards and a couple of trips to the end zone. Those are pretty damn good numbers for part time work. I really expect big things from Hixon.

One more thing as far as Barden is concerned. If he pans out, great, but there is no law anywhere that states that a NFL team has to have “A Plaxico Burress” to win.

13-3, NFC Champions, and the Giants grant the BBV “3 headed monster” writing team tickets to Supe 44. As far as what happens in the Super Bowl, sorry, I don’t believe in making crazy football predictions in May.

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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 15, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

Exactly

in terms of the ‘needing a Burress to win.’ The Giants have said repeatedly there are many ways to win. They now have a ton of talent at WR, with lots of guys who do different things. They also have a defense that is MUCH better than last season’s. I am also incredibly optimistic about this team.

by Ed Valentine on May 15, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

The Burress factor at WR did something that this roster won't be able to do right away...

…and that’s cover with talent what’s lacking in a top notch OC’s ability to scheme. I’ve been in San Diego for a long time now, but have always been a Giants fan (first 25 years in Albany, NY). So I have a lot of first hand observation of Kevin Gilbride with the Chargers, and was not surprised by his precipitous fall from HC to OC down to position coach. I expected him to go the way of Jim Fassel, and was surprised he made it back up to OC again. But in my humble opinion, it was Burress who made Gilbride look better than he is. I don’t fault him too much for not being able to adjust last season once Burress was lost, but this season he has had a lot of time to understand what he has to work with, and scheme accordingly. With a great offensive line, top flight running attack, and an experienced Eli, all we need Gilbride to do is devise an attack that doesn’t rely on the likes of Burress to draw double. There may be a WR on this roster who can do to Al Harris what Burress did on that bitterly cold day, but I’m thinking not in 2009. Give these young talented guys a few years and one or more will likely emerge into a bona fide #1 WR. Maybe Hixon. Maybe Nicks. Heck, maybe it’s Manningham… or even Moss… well, maybe I’m getting carried away a bit. But the point is this is Gilbride’s curtain call… he either steps up his game such that there’s no indication whatsoever of being out coached, or he counts on the defense to hold em to single digits so he can win with a hand full of field goals. There better be plays this season that we didn’t see last year, because Gilbride isn’t putting Burress and Toomer on the field.

by buljos on May 16, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

"...Hixon has a ton of talent...," etc.

I agree. So does Smith. If HN can do better at yards after the catch he might replace Smith; if he can get free deep, maybe Hix. It’s gonns be a bloody battle among WRs, not to mention LBs/DLs. As you already mentioned looks like Evans has a good chance of making the team. Who goes if he does? Whoever it is, JR should at least be able to get a draft choice for him.

by blue gonz on May 15, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

Smith

will be important no matter what the role. Remember, he is outstanding in the slot and never drops the ball. He is a great security blanket for Eli.

by Ed Valentine on May 15, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I read the article last night too

and thought it was interesting how much Nicks was already studying the Giants offense prior to being drafted, and watching Eli’s delivery of the long ball to Burress. How fortunate were the Giants for him to be the position of need, the most NFL-ready, and already studying the offense?

by rzor on May 15, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

Not to mention...

the other fortunate fact that he fell to the Giants at #29!

by one-bar on May 15, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

When can we start

Reading this and the post below has me really anticipating the start of real training camp. It looks like the only spots where there won’t be fierce competition are offensive line and starting QB (although it will be interesting to see Bomar and Woodson battle to be #3). I’m especially glad to hear that some of the young safeties in camp are promising because I have had some concerns about our depth at that spot. It’s just such a luxury to have so many potentially good players competing for those final roster spots. That’s when you can feel good about a franchise for the long haul.

I’m with BG and JRS1940. I’m very high on Hixon and think he has a chance to become a very good receiver. And if not, there’s a bunch of guys who will be pressing to take his place.

by Tucker Fredrickson on May 15, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions

Hakeem Nicks might seem like Boldin more than Plax

But how about letting him be Hakeem Nicks???

I like the idea of Nicks being behind even Sinorice Moss right now, I like giving all these guys chances. I think Manningham should get a shot before Nicks and Barden too.

The only thing I don’t like is saying that the Giants don’t have a 3 year plan for the WR position. Yes they do. Why the hell do you think they drafted Steve Smith, Manningham, Nicks, and Barden 3 straight years? What team drafts 4 WR in 3 years if they aren’t planning for the future??

I can’t stand when people even imply that the Giants are in a win now mode. Their Franchise QB didn’t even enter his prime yet. THey ALREADY WON a SB.

WR take time to develop. Only a few are great right away, but that doesn’t mean much cuz there are many more that become great later on.

The Giants have 2 young WR who are going to be big for them this year. THey have 4 other guys in Moss, Manningham, Barden and Nicks who will be in the rotation (sorry, I don’t think Micah Rucker makes it again). They will spread the ball, and the offense will be very good.

by FreeBradshaw on May 15, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

Win now

But, Free, they are in a ‘win now’ situation. They have all the pieces, including a franchise QB who should be entering his prime seasons. This team will be very good for several years to come, but when you look around there is an opportunity right now. I don’t think you can look around and say there is any team the Giants can’t compete with, and that clearly makes them ready to ‘win now.’

by Ed Valentine on May 15, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean I hate when people say the Giants are built to "win now"

cuz that usually means this season coming up. That’s it.

I know as much as anyone the Giants are as good as any team right now, if not better. But I say that while they are good enough to win now, they are build to win NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.

That’s all. That’s why people complain about getting all these WR or Tony Gonzalez or whoever, cuz they say the Giants MUST win now or else they may never be in this position again.

That’s what gets me. I know that the Giants are build to win now, but they are in position to win every year with the way they draft and develop players.

by FreeBradshaw on May 15, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by Ed Valentine on May 15, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

What team drafts 4 WR in 3 years if they aren’t planning for the future??

…The Lions.

Actually they spent 4 1st round picks on 4 WRs, 1 of which is still there. And it took them 4 tuns before they finally made the right choice.

by one-bar on May 15, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

The Giants

only spent one 1st rounder on a WR.

I can’t believe you would compare the Giants choices to the Lions.

The fact that the Giants only weakness (at least to outsiders) is their WR. The Lions had and still have a ton of holes. So why did they draft a WR I don’t know.

The Giants are planning for the future with their WR. The Lions may have thought they were too, but they had no idea what they were doing.

by FreeBradshaw on May 15, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

"I can’t believe you would compare the Giants choices to the Lions."

…Really? Because I can’t find anywhere in my post where I specifically compared the Giants to the Lions.

All I was posting was a “smart a$$” answer to your question: “What team drafts 4 WR in 3 years if they aren’t planning for the future??” Which many teams have done before, but the Lions drafted Charles Rogers and David Kircus in ’03, Roy Williams in ’04, and Mike Williams in ’05… Not to mention Calvin Johnson 2 years later.

And BTW the purpose of the draft is to add players to better your team for the future. So, in a sense, wouldn’t any pick a team makes, regardless of position, be planning for the future?

You should read more carefully before accusing.

by one-bar on May 15, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Hicks

is more the guy who will create space by being physical and bumping someone out of his way. Same concept as boxing out. Plax would go over guys. The plax approach works better in the red zone, but in the open field either is fine. Barden is more a red zone guy who should go for the jump balls.

Watch UNCs bowl game from last season. Its a Nicks highlight film and gives you a real sense of his style of play.

by ryanwk628 on May 15, 2009 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

It's all about creating mismatches

OK you have to start with talented personnel but after that a lot involves the offensive plays. Think of how many times TO or another elite receiver has been shut out. Our defense does it all the time. If you can create a mismatch between a good receiver and a defender, you have a chance at a completion. You can create mismatches with size, speed, and elusive route running. Take size, for instance. Eli can throw to a speedy smurf like Moss or giant Giants like Boss and Barden. But the matchup has to be right. Gilbride needs to be creative with his personnel.

by TerraByte on May 15, 2009 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

Cool graph Terra!

You can visualize a regression line and see some interesting stuff too. Obviously the TEs are all at the high end of both scales with most of the WRs at the lower end and the running backs falling off the line towards shorter at their respective weights. Nicks BTW is right on the line, so maybe this could put to bed the complaints about his weight?

As usual the interesting stuff is in the outliers: Moss for being short, Hixon for being skinny, and Rucker and Barden for being freaks.

BTW, who is Vickers?

by potroast on May 15, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Vickers is a tight end

He’s 28 and went to school at North Alabama. I assume he’s not a realistic candidate to make the team.

Really interesting graph.

by Tucker Fredrickson on May 15, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure what it means

I think I could combine weight and height into a “density” measure and then try to equate it with speed or power. Running backs tend to be “denser” or more powerful than receivers. Bradshaw, for example, may not be fast as much as he is powerful and elusive. Hixon, Rucker and Barden are tall for their weight which may equate to speed. FWIW, Burress would have plotted right where Bardon did. Beckum, a light TE, may turn into more of a receiving TE unless he bulks up.

If the data were available, I’d love to compare size, speed, and elusiveness of receivers to the CBs they face.

by TerraByte on May 15, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

can you do this with height and speed?

and catch % (i dont know what the stat is called but throws to drops)

by ryanwk628 on May 15, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish I had that data

I could do all sorts of crazy things.

by TerraByte on May 15, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

wheres Wrighster?

I think its gonna be Wrighster, Boss and Johnson out of Camp.. Matthews fell off at the end of the season

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by Hoyadestroya85 on May 15, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

What about Beckum?

I can’t see them keeping Wrightster over Beckum as the third tight end. In fact, unless he gets hurt or flames out in training camp, I expect to see Beckum used situationally this year.

by Tucker Fredrickson on May 15, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Aptly stated...

…Gilbride has to be creative. How many times have we witnessed true creativity out of Gilbride’s plays? Gilbride can put in plays designed to create mismatches when he has Burress on the field. Burress creates mismatches with most cover corners in this league, including Pro Bowlers like Al Harris, as we all fondly recall. So let’s see Gilbride innovate this season, with no Burress, to create mismatches. Let’s see him create confusion in defenses after burning them a few times with innovative play selection in precisely the right situations. I’d feel a lot better about Gilbride if we still had Spags.

by buljos on May 16, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions