Super Bowl 2012: Hakeem Nicks and Young Players Who Will Come of Age

Both the New England Patriots and New York Giants will need their young stars to play extremely well on Super Bowl Sunday if they plan on claiming victory.

Only certain players have the capabilities of playing well in the biggest game of the year. 

Here are Hakeem Nicks and other youthful options that will come of age on Sunday.

Hakeem Nicks

Who is older, Nicks or Victor Cruz? Most people’s first instinct would probably lean towards Nicks being the older guy because he’s been recognized as one of Eli Manning’s favorite targets for each of his three seasons in the NFL.

That’s not the case.

Cruz is 25 years old and Nicks is 24 years old.

With all the attention Cruz has received this year, and rightfully so, people are forgetting about Nicks and his ability to beat defenses in multiple ways. Nicks has caught 155 passes for 2,244 yards and 18 touchdowns in the past two seasons.

As defenses tailor towards defending Cruz, Nicks has been working against softer coverage. Nicks will be noticed more as one of the better receivers in the NFC after his dominating performance on Sunday against one of the worst pass defenses in league history.

Brandon Spikes

The second-year NFL professional has showed the ability to make noise on defense for the New England Patriots. After having an average season of 47 tackles, Spikes has erupted in the postseason recording 15 tackles, one sack, fumble recovery and interception.

Spikes has come of age throughout the NFL postseason but he is one game away from stamping claim as one of the better up-and-coming defensive players in the AFC. The 24-year-old linebacker will need to make some major noise on Sunday to slow down Manning and the offensive attack of the Giants.

Jake Ballard

The 24-year-old Giants tight end has only recorded three receptions in the NFL playoffs. His first year in the league consisted of 38 receptions, 604 yards and four touchdowns.

At 6’6”, 275 pounds, Ballard has the tools of being a weapon in the passing attack.

With as much attention as Nicks, Cruz and Mario Manningham are receiving, Manning will need a reliable tight end over the middle if his weapons outside aren’t available.

Manning has averaged 41 pass attempts throughout the postseason; Ballard may get his chance to make a real impact in the postseason. He has to be ready to deliver on his opportunity. At the age of 24, a dominant performance in the Super Bowl could set him up for a solid NFL career.