Nov 172015
 
Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants (November 17, 2013)

Eli Manning and Hakeem Nicks – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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GIANTS SIGN HAKEEM NICKS, PLACE VICTOR CRUZ ON IR…
The New York Giants have officially placed wide receiver Victor Cruz on season-ending Injured Reserve due to his calf injury that will require surgery. To fill that roster spot, the team has signed wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

Nicks was originally drafted by the Giants in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft. His two best pro seasons came in 2010 and 2011 when he compiled 155 catches for 2,244 yards and 18 touchdowns in 28 regular-season games. However, after two disappointing seasons in 2012 and 2013 where Nicks’ production fell to 109 passes for 1,588 yards and three touchdowns in 28 regular-season games, Nicks departed in free agency for the Indianapolis Colts. Nicks’ production in Indianapolis was disappointing as he caught 38 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns. He tried to catch on with the Tennessee Titans in training camp this year but did not make the team.

Nicks’ demise has largely been attributed to injuries. Nicks has never fully completed a 16-game season with the Giants. He suffered from compartment syndrome in 2010. In 2012, he broke his right foot during non-contact OTA drills in May and then injured his knee (PCL) in Week 2 in September. Both injuries required surgery, the foot before the season and the knee after the season.

“This is home,” Nicks said. “You know what they say, ‘Let a dog roam, he’ll find his way home.’ They left the backdoor open for me. I’m happy to be here, happy to be back in the building. I feel great, I feel hungry. I’m ready to get on that field and make some plays.”

Nicks now has to learn a totally new offensive system under Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo. “It’s not a bye week for me,” said Nicks. “I’ve got to make sure I’m getting these plays down, so I can be ready to go come game time. It’s just going to take some studying, hard work and determination. I’ve got plenty of that.

“I told myself, ‘Just be patient, man, there’s a lot of football left. I knew I could help a lot of teams. I knew once November, December football came around I was going to be getting a phone call. I wanted it to be from here and it happened like this. I’m just ecstatic and happy that I’m back in the building.

“This is where I really wanted to be. I would have settled and played wherever, but my heart was here. My heart has always been here, ever since I left. That’s why I kept my place here. I feel like I’m just stepping right back into position.

“It can’t get any better, man. I’m looking forward to it, I’m fired up about it. When you do something since you were 10 years old and there comes a time when you’ve got to sit for a while, you’re not used it and that’s something you have to overcome. I think just taking it all into consideration, being back here where I was drafted in 2009, being back home, this is the way it was supposed to be.”

A Giants.com “Insider” video interview is available at Giants.com.

GIANTS CUT JAMES MORRIS AND JULIAN TALLEY…
The New York Giants have waived linebacker James Morris from the 53-man roster. The team also terminated the Practice Squad contract of wide receiver Julian Talley. The Giants now have one opening on the 53-man roster and three on the Practice Squad.

The Giants signed Morris to the Practice Squad in September 2015 and the 53-man roster in October 2015. Morris was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New England Patriots after the 2014 NFL Draft.

The Giants signed Talley to the Practice Squad in September 2015, released him, and then re-signed him to the Practice Squad in October 2015. Talley was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Giants after the 2012 NFL Draft. Talley spent most of the 2013 and 2014 seasons on the team’s Practice Squad, although he did play in two games each season.

GIANTS-PATRIOTS: SIGHTS AND SOUNDS…
A sights and sounds video from the Giants’ 27-26 loss to the New England Patriots is now available at Giants.com.

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Eric Kennedy

Eric Kennedy is Editor-in-Chief of BigBlueInteractive.com, a publication of Big Blue Interactive, LLC. Follow @BigBlueInteract on Twitter.

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