No Love for Hakeem Nicks

[PatsChamp88]

Please.......

1) 5 Yr. Veteran Hakeem Nicks playing with a QB he has developed rapport with for 5 years:
Rec: 56 TD; 0

2) Rookie Aaron Dobson playing in a completely new system
Rec: 37 TD: 4

3) Rookie Kenbrell Thompkins playing in a completely new system
Rec: 32 TD: 4

As BB and anyone else with even a passing knowledge of the NFL has said - - the leap from 1st -2nd year tends to be the biggest.

Anyone who wants the Patriots to "break the bank" for Nicks is simply crazy or a troll.

No to mention Dobson and Thompkins didn't even play a full season which hopefully won't be the case next year. Also I don't think anyone who has two cents is going to break the bank for Nicks.

 

[Elijah T.]

Please.......

1) 5 Yr. Veteran Hakeem Nicks playing with a QB he has developed rapport with for 5 years:
Rec: 56 TD; 0

2) Rookie Aaron Dobson playing in a completely new system
Rec: 37 TD: 4

3) Rookie Kenbrell Thompkins playing in a completely new system
Rec: 32 TD: 4

As BB and anyone else with even a passing knowledge of the NFL has said - - the leap from 1st -2nd year tends to be the biggest.

Anyone who wants the Patriots to "break the bank" for Nicks is simply crazy or a troll.

That's an apples to oranges comparison with those "stats".

And there's no need to elaborate on specifics....but if you think that what Dobson and Thompkins bring to our offense is anything like what Hakeem Nicks brought to the Giants offense when he was healthy, then good for you.

I didn't say anything about "breaking the bank". Nicks has proven to be a highly productive player-- often in big games-- when he's healthy. If we can fit him in, at his age I don't see an issue with signing him.

But I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers...like some genius posters here. But I do think he's worth looking into.

 

[Don_the_patfan]

No, terrible idea. We're coming off a season where the Patriots were decimated by injuries and now we're talking about signing another guy who can't stay healthy?

I'd much rather entertain the notion of signing Sanders, if we're going to make a play at WR.

Well if we go by that logic are you saying we shouldn't have signed Edelman last year? After all he was injury prone up until this year and here we are and everyone wants Edelman locked up.

Bottom line: I would make an offer if we get outbid so be it. Nicks/Dobson on the outside sounds good to me.

 

[SalemPats]

That's an apples to oranges comparison with those "stats".

And there's no need to elaborate on specifics....but if you think that what Dobson and Thompkins bring to our offense is anything like what Hakeem Nicks brought to the Giants offense when he was healthy, then good for you.

I didn't say anything about "breaking the bank". Nicks has proven to be a highly productive player-- often in big games-- when he's healthy. If we can fit him in, at his age I don't see an issue with signing him.

But I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers...like some genius posters here. But I do think he's worth looking into.

I agree, we haven't had a physical WR since Moss. We lack a guy on the outside and have so for years. He fits what we need.

Saying that, the price might be too high and he is injury prone. I have no clue if his work ethic is elite or anything like that.

 

[Jackson 2]

Baltimore 2009 Wild Card round.

Actually I believe it was against the Jets in 2010. My point is that 3 AFC CG in 3 years is not one and done anytime recently.

 

[chasa]

the thing i think a lot of people dont understand is in order to "break teh bank" we need to have money available to dedicate to one person,

The only way we break the bank to get a reciever is if we dont resign minitron, Cut amendola(saving 2 mill) and spend that 3 million on someone.

 

[Jackson 2]

Baltimore 2009 Wild Card round.

Actually I believe it was 2010 vs. the Jets. My point is that 3 straight AFCCG is not one and done any time recently.

 

[Ring 6]

I think in Belichick's time here he's proven to be aware of each "individual's" particular situation.

The fact is we only know half of anything we hear from the media concerning a player/prospect-- at best.

Nicks hasn't gotten into any trouble with the law and was a standout player in 2010 & 2011 with no reports of him being late, is only 26 years old, and we'll likely see that his market isn't huge. At the right price he's worth the gamble especially if Edelman walks.

You want a mediocre starting caliber WR who has attitude and commitment problems why?

 

[Elijah T.]

You want a mediocre starting caliber WR who has attitude and commitment problems why?

I don't see a mediocre receiver in Hakeem Nicks. Sorry. When he's healthy he's very good.

As far as commitment goes....I think that's being overblown. He's been in the league five years and we are just hearing about this now? I'm sure if he had chronic commitment problems over the course of his career then Tom Coughlin would've booted this mediocre receiver a long time ago.

 

[Ring 6]

I don't see a mediocre receiver in Hakeem Nicks. Sorry. When he's healthy he's very good.

He had zero TDs this year and 3 last year. He has 1588 receiving yards the last 2 years. That is very mediocre for a starting WR.

As far as commitment goes....I think that's being overblown.

I'm not sure how stating the fact that he doesn't show up on time or take treatment for injuries seriously is overblowing anything.
You want to use the 'when healthy' card and ignore he doesn't take recovering from injuries seriously.

He's been in the league five years and we are just hearing about this now?

I'm not sure why you think you would know about the guys habits for being on time, or taking care of injuries. Are you saying since you didn't know about it that it didn't happen?

I'm sure if he had chronic commitment problems over the course of his career then Tom Coughlin would've booted this mediocre receiver a long time ago.

He was under contract. Tom Coughlin fined him repeatedly and now does not want him back. What more do you need to hear from Coughlin?

Its just a prima dona WR, they are a dime a dozen, lets get one who cares about football, which we may already have in Dobson.

 

[Elijah T.]

Hakeem Nicks 2011 Post-season:

Atlanta Falcons: 6 rec 115 yds 2 td

Green Bay Packers: 7 rec 165 yds 2 td

New England Patriots 10 rec 109 yds.

That was coming off his second consecutive 1,000 yard season and 18 td's in 28 games.

He just needs to stay on the field. He's still a young veteran. Worth a look.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Even with Julian Edelman God Bless him NO PATRIOT WR Scare any Defense in the NFL. If you guys are happy with mediocrity at WR get use to One and Done in the NFL Playoffs.

Why get used to one and done in the playoffs? We've been to the AFCCG more than anyone this decade. Think, then post!

 

[Ring 6]

Hakeem Nicks 2011 Post-season:

Atlanta Falcons: 6 rec 115 yds 2 td

Green Bay Packers: 7 rec 165 yds 2 td

New England Patriots 10 rec 109 yds.

That was coming off his second consecutive 1,000 yard season and 18 td's in 28 games.

He just needs to stay on the field. He's still a young veteran. Worth a look.

If you think that's the guy you are getting, good luck.

 

[patsinthesnow]

(Not advocating for or against Nicks)

Do people forget Eli was terrible this year? He was genuinely a bottom 3 QB in the NFL this season. Victor Cruz, a stud WR, TDs fell 60% and didn't even break 1,000 receiving yards.

 

[Elijah T.]

If you think that's the guy you are getting, good luck.

Well, we don't know....but we know he's capable, unlike a few other receivers so many are banking on to develop.

He's been hurt. Obviously the team will take him through a physical and make their judgement.

He is only 26 years old. He's fully capable of playing real good football when healthy.

I'm simply suggeting that he would be a good fit if the price is right and his health checks out.

 

[PatsChamp88]

Hakeem Nicks 2011 Post-season:

Atlanta Falcons: 6 rec 115 yds 2 td

Green Bay Packers: 7 rec 165 yds 2 td

New England Patriots 10 rec 109 yds.

That was coming off his second consecutive 1,000 yard season and 18 td's in 28 games.

He just needs to stay on the field. He's still a young veteran. Worth a look.

I don't doubt he's worth a look and every team should be looking at every free agent available but that's 2011. I'll be interested to see what he get's paid and for how many years but I just don't think he'll end up in New England.

 

[Ring 6]

Well, we don't know....but we know he's capable, unlike a few other receivers so many are banking on to develop.

He's been hurt. Obviously the team will take him through a physical and make their judgement.

He is only 26 years old. He's fully capable of playing real good football when healthy.

I'm simply suggeting that he would be a good fit if the price is right and his health checks out.

And I disagree. A player in decline who's own team doesn't want him back because of a reported lack of commitment is the kind of guy I would run away from.
Doesn't mean he can't turn it around, but the chance of getting the best of Nicks, given our current roster and cap space is not worth the risk of a malcontent. And lets please not pretend BB magically turns guys who lack commitment into model citizens.

 

[Ivan]

Well if we go by that logic are you saying we shouldn't have signed Edelman last year? After all he was injury prone up until this year and here we are and everyone wants Edelman locked up.

Bottom line: I would make an offer if we get outbid so be it. Nicks/Dobson on the outside sounds good to me.

Edelman was never a problem in terms of his work ethic, locker room presence, or commitment to the team,

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

This cannot be a serious thread. It just can't be...

How many times have we seen Patriots fans clamor for a big, outside free agent/trade bait wide receiver only to see the team make little, if any, effort to go after the guy? They've passed over guys like Dwayne Bowe, Mike Wallace, Vincent Jackson, and numerous others.

Why Hakeem Nicks?

Oh, because he's the top "big, fast, outside threat traditional wide receiver" on the market! The type of player the Patriots never bite on. The only players I can remember them going after were Anquan Boldin and Reggie Wayne, two players who were well known for their excellent route running and versatility. And with Wayne, this was only after the free agent frenzy died down and it appeared they could get a great deal.

Did you forget that plenty of players couldn't learn the playbook here? Did you know that Hakeem Nicks scored an 11 on his Wonderlic? An 11? That coupled with an injury history, locker room problems. This is not the guy who will be the exception to the rule. Some team will go out and pay him a ton of money, and that team will not be the Patriots. I'm guessing the Patriots are probably around 30th out of 32 teams in their interest in Nicks.

I haven't even mentioned that the Patriots just picked up three young receivers last year and will likely not cut any of them.

The Patriots need a tight end who is a capable pass catcher and help on the offensive line. At WR they'll probably go out and get a cheap veteran who they hope has a little left in the tank.

I think Scott Chandler would be a great addition to the Patriots. He is a good blocker and good pass catcher, though not outstanding at either. I would expect those types of players to be more likely targets from the front office.

At WR, I expect Nicks and Decker to get paid a lot. Golden Tate, Anquan Bolden, James Jones, and Jeremy Maclin, assuming they have the intelligence to play in the Patriots system, are much, much more likely targets than Nicks.

 

[TonyTucker]

Agreed, a TE or two that can stay healthy and someone to replace that bum Wendell.