Can Hakeem Nicks make opening day with the Tennessee Titans?
By Les Bailey
Although former New Your Giants wide receiver, Hakeem Nicks didn’t tear it up with the Indianapolis Colts last year, I was excited when the Tennessee Titans decided to bring him to Music City for a shot at making the opening day roster.
With pads going on today, and as the team gets down to the business of trying to wash away the foul taste of a 2-14 season last year, it appears the former Pro Bowl receiver has found the same excitement as everyone associated with this franchise, and is looking to resurrect his career with the Titans.
At least after the first two days anyway!
Most of the folks at Saint Thomas Sports Park weren’t impressed during OTA’s when Nicks showed up overweight. The attitudes have changed since he came to training camp “lean and mean” and seriouse about what is probably his last opportunity in this league.
New Titansonline.com Editor, Jim Wyatt(formerly of the Tennesseean) reported that Nicks came to camp with his weight down to 206 from(215 at the OTA’s) and turned in a great day on Saturday.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt on Saturday said he’s liked what he’s seen from Nicks so far in camp.
"“Hakeem was OK in the spring. … I think that he knew there had to be a little bit of a sense of urgency coming in here, and he’s done that so far,’’ Whisenhunt said. “We need all the guys we can get there, he’s a big guy that has been productive in the league, so hopefully this will be a bounce back year for him.“He is a big guy who can make some of those catches, the contested catches, the going up for balls, that’s what he is going to show he can do.”"
Nicks, who is only 27 years old can be the leader this receiving corp sorely needs going into the season. He’s been there and done that, in that he has a Super Bowl ring, and caught over a 1000 yards worth of passes in each of his first two years in the league.
The former North Carolina Tar Heel has 349 career receptions for well over 5000 yards, and has reached the end zone 31 times since being drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft(29th overall).
He fell on hard times and out of favor with Andrew Luck last year with the Colts when he caught only 38 passes for 849 yards and a measly four touchdowns.
If he can get back on track, I think Hakeem Nicks can be the type of veteran leadership this young corp of wide receivers need when they go to battle in September.
He has already started to develop a relationship, and chemistry with Marcus Mariota, and that is the first step in finding success on Sunday afternoons this fall.
Nicks already has good chemistry with quarterback Marcus Mariota. The two worked out together at D1 Sports in Franklin after spending time together during offseason workouts.
"“I provide a leadership role, and I provide big-play ability. Actually, I feel like I am in my prime,’’ Nicks said. “I am 27 years old with a lot of experience, so whatever I can bring to the table, that is that I am going to bring.“I feel like I am going up, but it is only day two right now. I have to make sure I am doing the same thing next week and the week after that and into the season. ”"
Hakeem Nicks appears to have his foot on the throttle as training camp get underway. Let’s hope he can keep it there during training camp and for the entirety of the 2015 season in Titan Blue.
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