NY Giants WR Hakeem Nicks Says WRs Will "step Up" Without Steve Smith
The New York Giants learned on Wednesday that the team will be without wide receiver Steve Smith for the rest of the 2010 NFL season. Fellow WR Hakeem Nicks is taking the loss in stride.
"I don't feel like it puts more pressure on me," New York's current number one receiver stated. "I just have to rise up to the occasion. Mario Manningham will step up, Derek Hagan will step up. I'm just going to continue to hold it down on my part. (Smith's injury is) very deflating but at the same time it's football. Stuff happens. I wish the best for him and I hope and pray that it's a speedy recovery for him. I know he'll be fine with his mentality. His presence will definitely be missed in that slot on third down situations and other situations as well."
Nicks was noticeably limping at times during Monday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, causing great concern among New York Giants fans. Nicks eased worries on Wednesday, saying "I came out of the game pretty good. No issues. It was a little sore from it being my first game back but nothing that will limit it."
Hakeem Nicks will see more attention from opposing defenses with Steve Smith's season over. Not only does this not bother Nicks, but the young wide receiver is looking forward to the challenge. "I've been seeing a lot of two-high with safety help over the top," Nicks explained. "It just makes me work harder, and Coach Gilbride does a good job of moving me around a little bit. It'll be fun."
"Fun" is not the word I would use to describe losing Steve Smith but there's no denying that Hakeem Nicks has both the skills and personality to be a number one wide receiver in the NFL. Is he ready in December of 2010? Well, we're going to find out starting this Sunday when the Giants face the Eagles in the biggest game of the season for both teams. No time like the present for Nicks to step up like never before.
All quotes via New York Giants Communications Office
For more: Steve Smith out for season
Published by Zac Wassink - Featured Contributor in Sports
A gimmick sports writer with a love for Tottenham Hotspur, New York Red Bulls, US Soccer, Adelaide Crows, Juventus, Middlesbrough, New York Giants, New York Mets, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Chicag... View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentLosing Steve is a big blow but Big Blue has the depth in talent to pick up the pieces. It will probably serve best to use Boss and Hagen in short yardage passes to open Hakeem for big yardage opportunities.