Yahoo contributor Jonathan Wagner on Nicks.

[top dawg]

Jon Wagner, Yahoo contributor and the beat writer for New York Sports Day has some pointed things to report about Nicks, and he does mention the Carolina Panthers as a landing spot:

 

Worse than that, Nicks seemed to mentally check out and often give minimal effort this season -- a curiously imprudent approach for a player in a contract year, who considered himself "one of the top receivers" in the NFL.

 

 

 

In the 2011 postseason, Nicks caught six passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-breaking 72-yard score to help lead the Giants to a divisional round win over Atlanta.

The following week, Nicks scored two more touchdowns -- finding the end zone on a brilliant 66-yard catch-and-run, and a Hail Mary grab that ended the first half -- while racking up 165 yards on seven catches, to help New York shock top-seeded, 15-1 Green Bay on the road.

And in Super Bowl XLVI, Nicks was quarterback Eli Manning's favorite target, as his 10 catches for 109 yards helped Manning secure his second Super Bowl M.V.P. Award, while more importantly, helping the Giants upset New England in football's biggest game, for a second time in six seasons.

Nicks Rested on His Laurels

But rather than working to continue on a path toward greatness, Nicks' work ethic suffered. The talented receiver voluntarily missed organized team activities over the summer (which annoyed head coach Tom Coughlin), was repeatedly fined for being late to team meetings or missing injury treatments, and routinely ran routes or went after some passes thrown his way in games with only limited exertion and commitment.

Somewhat hampered by injuries over his career, Nicks' change in attitude might have been influenced by the increased attention and money thrown at Victor Cruz...

 

 

Where Nicks might play next season remains unclear, although the Charlotte native who starred at the University of North Carolina seems like a good fit for the Carolina Panthers, who could use a receiver like Nicks, if he can benefit from a change of scenery to become the player he once was for New York.

 

 

I can take Nicks or leave him. I followed him fairly closely this past season due to him being on my fantasy team, honestly (before I dropped him).  Yes, Eli had an awful year---that's not to be denied---but Nicks hasn't been a WR1-like for several years now. And the more I hear, the more skeptical (or at least confused) that I become, especially when you factor in his injury history and whether or not that has damaged Nicks irrevocably. But...the thing is a lot of this article points to Nicks' attitude, and that can certainly change. If he would sign a one to three year contract that is commensurate with his production over the years---one that reflects his less than committed attitude and drop-off in production---as a test run that gives us a good sampling of why he is still one of the NFL's best, then I am all for it. When I look at his career in its totality, at this point I don't see WR1 numbers, but WR2 numbers---and effort, so to me that's where the both G-man, Nicks and his agent should be shooting for as it pertains to a contract. If he doesn't want to be fair, then let someone else take the risk. I have trust that G-man will get us right, with or without Nicks.

[Awesomeness!!]

Nicks playing with 75% effort is better than everybody else other than Smitty. Besides that, Smitty would whip him into shape (probably literally)

[rayzor]

he's worth a shot.

 

he won't be getting top money from anyone so i'm not worried about that.

[carolina-chuck]

Nicks 50% >>>> Fail 120%

[AceBoogie]

When your 0-6 and your quarterback is constantly throwing it to the other team, you see how hard you play.. He's not the only on that team that took the year off. You can go down the roster

[unicar15]

If we have any cap room this offseason Id try to bring Nicks in. I think he has the skill set to command some respect from the rest of the team (aka Smitty). Judging by how he handled himself in NY I think you could heavily incentivize his contract and he'd turn his attitude around. Would love him in Charlotte...hope he comes and Ginn is retained.

[Peppers90 NC]

i only want him here if he really wants to be here

[Mr. Scot]

he's worth a shot.

he won't be getting top money from anyone so i'm not worried about that.

Said it elsewhere, Gettleman knows him well.

Whatever he thinks he's wort, or not worth, I'll be fine with.

[Cary Kollins]

Nicks has top 10 WR potential.  If we can get him it's a no brainer.

[jarhead]

Nicks playing with 75% effort is better than everybody else other than Smitty. Besides that, Smitty would whip him into shape (probably literally)

 

 

Sorry but I disagree. You must have players that want it.

[CatMan72]

It's pretty clear Nicks tanked this season... overall it sounds like the guy didn't want to be a Giant anymore, there's no other explanation for how a guy goes from starting out his career like he did to what we saw this past season (even with the injury). 

 

I don't see any reason why we shouldn't bring in him for a look at a reasonable price. At his best he's much better than anything we've got besides Smitty and even at his worst he might still be better than most of what we've got. 

 

I saw this guy up close and in person at a place called Sports Connection down here in South Charlotte and I was shocked by how big he is. I've seen plenty of pro football players up close for comparative purposes and Nicks overall size and muscle density shocked me. I shook his hand and my above average sized hand was enveloped by his. The man is a physical specimen and if he can get his mind and body right he could be the guy we've been searching for ever since Moose left and more... 

 

 

 

 

[cbully]

Giants are salty because Golden boy didn't get a fluke playoff run this year. Where was this talk week 8? Their loss regardless of where he lands... 

[PhillyB]

at worst he replaces lafell as a number two. supplement that with a pass catcher from the draft and an improved offensive line and we're hot to trot

[Jangler]

Gettleman and Nicks diabolical plan to tank the season and come to Carolina on the cheap. worked perfectly.