INDIANAPOLIS – The past is the past.
That’s how new Indianapolis Colts receiver Hakeem Nicks views things. He has no interest in talking about his last season with the New York Giants, one where he didn’t catch a touchdown pass for the first time in his five-year NFL career.
Nicks is excited about the opportunity to catch passes from quarterback Andrew Luck (who wouldn’t be excited?), being reunited with Chuck Pagano, who was the defensive coordinator at the University of North Carolina when Nicks was a sophomore, and teaming with Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton to give the Colts a “three-headed monster” at receiver.
“This is the best situation for me, a great organization and a chance to come in and show them what I can do and what I can bring to the table,” Nicks said as he made his way to Indianapolis International Airport. “I’m familiar with a lot of the coaches, especially the wide receiver coach [Charlie Williams], he coached me in college. There are definitely some relationships here. I’m excited about working.”
Nicks considers himself another piece for the Colts as they attempt to close the gap between them and Denver and New England in the AFC. Nicks will team with Hilton and Wayne at receiver to go with tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen.
“I heard a lot of good things about [the Colts] -- obviously what they’ve got going and the direction that they’re moving in,” Nicks said. “I feel like it was the best fit for me just to come in and complete the piece of the puzzle to try to compete for a Super Bowl this year.”
ESPN.com Giants reporter Dan Graziano wrote Friday night that Nicks lacked incentive when he had 896 yards receiving and no touchdowns last season with the Giants. Nicks, according to Graziano, frustrated the coaches because he couldn’t make plays in the passing game.
Nicks, who signed a one-year deal, had no interest in talking about whether he needed to have a bounce-back season to silence the doubters. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and 2011.
“I don’t think there’s anything for me to prove,” he said. “I think I just want to go out there and play football and win championships. My play speaks for itself. I've always believed in working in silence and letting your game speak loud, so that’s what I do. They’ll see and then all start making speculations again.”
One thing that still has to get resolved with Nicks is what number he’ll wear. He wore No. 88 with the Giants, but that number is retired with the Colts; Marvin Harrison wore it during what will end up as a Hall of Fame career.
“I don’t think we've quite figured that one out yet,” Nicks said. “Everybody knows I love those eights on my chest, but we’ll have to see how that pans out.”