FAMILIAR MATTERS
Nicks comfortable being back in Giants uniform
Familiarity may breed contempt.
But it also can breed a second chance with an NFL team.
So the Giants had a most familiar face and set of hands, those of Hakeem Nicks, back on the practice field Monday for the f irst time since both sides parted ways in 2013. Having lost the hope of seeing Victor Cruz return this season, the Giants signed Nicks last week, and coach Tom Coughlin claimed familiarity — and talent — were the driving forces in bringing him back.
Nicks simply was the best option available, Coughlin said.
“I’ll be point blank with you, Hakeem was the best player out there for right now, for the circumstances,” Coughlin said when the Giants returned from their bye week in better shape than when they entered. “He was someone who we figured was in the sights of other clubs. Certainly he’s been a Giant before. It’s a different system, but we know the player, we know the young man and, quite frankly, he was, in our opinion, the best player out there.”
Nicks is not the player he was as a firstround pick in 2009 and as a key member of the Giants’ 2011 Super Bowl champs. But the Giants like the prospects of Nicks, who battled foot and knee injuries when his production dropped in 2013. He signed a oneyear deal with the Colts, but made little impact last season. He was signed but released this preseason by the Titans. He had several workouts, including one with the Giants, trying for a comeback. It was tough just hanging out.
“That competitive drive in me, I just had to stay in it,” said Nicks, who stressed his comfort level with Eli Manning as a major source of relief. “My agent made sure I got up off the couch every week by going to see different teams, so that’s kind of how I got every week started. I watched Sunday football, then go see a team and get a little workout in.
“I was just making sure I was keeping up with my body, and that when the time came I wouldn’t be slacking out there and I’d f it right in.”
And now he’s back where it began, where in his heart he wanted to be.
“It feels good to be back in the building, definitely feels good to be back in the Giants uniform,” said Nicks, who sees little problem adapting despite a new playbook.
“I came in last week and got a head start. I’m sure they’ll sprinkle me in [to] get acclimated.”
And don’t forget, there’s that Eli guy.
“That helps a lot, that chemistry. We’re definitely looking forward to it. Glad to be back in this position again, playing with Eli again,” Nicks said. “I felt like this is where I wanted to be in my heart. Business is business and it’s going to play out the way it’s going to play out, and fortunately I was blessed enough to be back in this position.”
It’s a position where the Giants welcome the 27yearold who slid right in after Cruz announced he was done for the season with a calf injury.
“We’re going to try to help him as much as possible,” wide receiver Rueben Randle said. “Any question he has as far as receivers, we’re going to push him along pretty fast with signals and things like that. So I don’t think it will be hard for him to pick up on it. … He should be able to help us this week especially.”
Despite just one practice, Coughlin said he was enthused with Nicks’ return.
“He’s energetic, he looked good,” Coughlin said before laundrylisting Nicks’ attributes. “Veteran experience, catcher, outstanding hands. He’ll work very hard. He’s excited about being here. He’s missed the opportunity to compete.”
And Coughlin would not be surprised if Nicks looked like, well, Hakeem Nicks.
“He is a young man and he does miss it and he has worked very hard to stay in shape. We knew that when he worked out here the first time,” Coughlin said. “Yeah, I’m hoping that’s exactly what it will be.”