NY Giants: Hakeem Nicks Propels G-Men Past Atlanta Falcons

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The NFL Playoffs have a different meaning to each and every player; however, if it's your first time at the dance it's always a special experience.

For wide receiver No. 88 Hakeem Nicks, this was the first time since being drafted in 2009 that he was able to show off his skills on this nationwide playoff platform.

Back in 2009, the NFL draft was stocked full of wide receivers with impressive stats and sought-after skills.  The mock drafts and "big" boards were full of big-time college wide receivers. 

The New York Giants invested in one and never looked back.  

Hakeem Nicks has been the difference in Eli Manning's offense and his presence is what the offense is built around. 

Read on and see how Hakeem Nicks is pound for pound the best wide receiver of his 2009 class and then some and realize how he took control of the Falcons!

Hakeem Nicks Was Sweet in College

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In April of 2009, there were 34 wide receivers drafted.  

Amongst those 34 receivers, there were a handful of very promising and talent receivers including:

• Percy Harvin

• Kenny Britt

• Michael Crabtree

• Darrius Heyward-Bey

• Jeremy Maclin

• Mohamed Massaquoi

• Mike Wallace

• Johnny Knox

And North Carolina's very own Hakeem Nicks.

Three short years later, Hakeem Nicks has risen to the top of that list by dominating his peers in receptions, yards, touchdowns and yards per catch.

Against the Falcons it was different!

Nicks Will Break All NY Giants Receiving Records

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Most of the NFL knows who Hakeem Nicks is.  However, he not only seems to fly below the radar nationally, but he is also a virtually unknown superstar in his own city.

Looking at back at the receivers that have come before Hakeem Nicks, Amani Toomer was the most productive wide receiver to ever wear the New York Giants' blue and white jersey.

Toomer was the definition of consistent over 14 years, all spent with the New York Giants.  He had a spectacular five-year period where he went over 1,000 yards receiving each and every year.  

No. 81 amassed over 9,400 yards during his bright career.

• Hakeem Nicks is on pace to break that mark in a little over nine years. 

• Nicks also averages eight touchdowns a year.  That's double Toomer's production.

Hakeem Nicks Makes Eli Better

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One might say that Nicks' calming presence and big-play ability has done wonders for Eli Manning as well.  Eli is now a complete quarterback who ranks amongst the NFL's best, and the tandem should be around for many years to come.

Since the arrival of Hakeem Nicks in 2009, Eli Mannings' stats have improved in every category.

• 2008 Completions: Before Nicks(289) to 317(2009), 339(2010), 359(2011)

• 2008 Attempts: Before Nicks(479) to 509(2009), 539(2010), 589(2011)

• 2008 Completion %: Before Nicks(60.3) to 62.3(2009), 62.9(2010), 61.0(2011)

• 2008 Yards: Before Nicks(3238) to 4021(2009), 4002(2010), 4933(2011)

• 2008 TDs: Before Nicks(21) to 27(2009), 31(2010), 29(2001)

 

And when the Falcons came to town...Eli & Nicks are the tandem that got it done.  Over a 100 yards and 2 TD's.   Nicks and Eli can be deadly.

Nicks Gets It Done in the 4th Quarter

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Eli Manning has now been deemed the best fourth-quarter quarterback in football.

While that maybe true, he has to throw the ball to somebody.  In 2011 Hakeem Nicks has thrived in the fourth quarter, with 20 reception for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

When the heat gets cranked up and the clock is winding down, Hakeem Nicks is waiting for Eli Manning and a big-armed pass to catapult the team to victory. 

 Can he get it done when the team is depending on him?

Nicks also makes a nice impression when it comes to big-play ability in 2011.   He currently has over 30 catches over 10 yards, resulting in four TDs.

Hakeem Nicks will be the player that helps the Giants make a difference versus Atlanta in the 2011 NFL Playoffs.  

Hakeem Nicks: Just Pay the Man

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The Top 10 highest-paid wide receivers are:

10. Anquan Boldin: $28 million/4 years

9. Greg Jennings: $27 million/4 years

8. Roddy White: $48 million/6 years

7. Reggie Wayne: $39 million/6 years

6. Andre Johnson: $62.7 million/7 years

5. Miles Austin: $57 million/7 million

4. Steve Smith: $43 million/7 million

3. Brandon Marshall: $47 million/5 years

2. Calvin Johnson: $55 million/6 years

1. Larry Fitzgerald: $120 million/8 years

Hakeem Nicks is as good, if not better than, Miles Austin, Roddy White and Anquan Boldin.  When drafted in 2009, Nicks signed a five-year deal to the end of 2013.

Nicks' contract is as follows: $575,000(2011), $750,000(2012)  and $925,000(2013).   This is a very cheap contract for a player of his status. 

The Giants brass should rip up the contract next year and redo his deal starting in 2013. 

Pay the man.

Hakeem Nicks Against the Draft Class

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Hakeem Nicks is the best wide receiver in the 2009 draft class. Here is how he stacks up.

1. Nicks: 202 rec/3034 yd/15 avg/24 TDs vs. Knox: 133 rec/2214 yd/16 avg/12 TDs = Nicks wins!

2. Nicks: 202 rec/3034 yd/15 avg/24 TDs vs. Maclin: 173rec/2362 yd/14 avg/18 TDs = Nicks wins!                                                         

3. Nicks: 202 rec/3034 yd/15 avg/24 TDs vs. Crabtree: 128 rec/2034 yd/13avg/10 TDs = Nicks Wins!

4. Nicks: 202 rec/3034 yd/15 avg/24 TDs vs. Hew/Bey: 78rec/1110yd/14avg/4 TDs = Nicks Wins!

5. Nicks: 202 rec/3034 yd. /15 avg/24 TDs vs. Britt: 101rec/1765yds/17.5avg/15 TDs = Nicks Wins!

6. Nicks: 202 rec/3034 yd. /15 avg/24 TDs vs. Harvin: 200rec/2437yd/16 TDs = Nicks Wins!

Only Mike Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers has stats that compare to Hakeem Nicks from the draft class of 2009.  But not today, as the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Broncos and The Giants whipped up on the Atlanta Falcons.