Hakeem Nicks earlier today, with the best catch I've seen in some time.
Lone Star Ball — Hakeem Nicks earlier today, with the best catch I've seen in some time.

One way or another, Hakeem Nicks is going where everybody knows his name
Dr. Saturday — Scroll down or click here for the Doc's game day live blog. Only two things could overshadow Hakeem Nicks' three long, highlight reel touchdown catches for North Carolina Saturday in the Car Care Bowl. One was the equally spectacular finale to Pat White's career at West Virginia, capped by White's game-winning touchdown strike to Alric Arnett midway through the fourth quarter. The other was Nicks himself, on an inconceivable, now-you-see-it, now-you-don't grab over the middle during a Tar Heel touchdown drive in the third: Nicks is not exactly obscure -- he was named all-ACC ...

Nicks: A Man Among Boys
The Wiz of Odds — North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks' play likely played his last college game on Saturday. The junior had a monster game in the 31-30 loss to West Virginia, with eight receptions for 217 yards and three touchdowns. This was his most spectacular catch of the day, a ball he catches on his backside and secures with a behind-the-back move while eluding the Mountaineers' Pat Lazear.

Shackin' Up With Saturday's Bowls Is All You Wanna Do [College Football]
Deadspin — We talk about all of Saturday's bowls without once mentioning the title sponsors. Take that, we say! • The Cal Golden Bears pulled out a 24-17 win over the Miami Hurricanes in Telecom Conglomerate Park in San Francisco after breaking out a winning preparation strategy (from the AP): "The Bears’ campus is roughly 12 miles from San Francisco, yet the team stayed in a hotel in the city during its week of preparation, crossing the Bay Bridge for daily practice in Berkeley." In other completely unrelated news, Cal-Berkeley would like to break away from the California state university tuition price structure so they can charge up to 25% ...

Bowl Season 08: In Which Hakeem Nicks Makes the 2008 Catch of the Year
FanHouse — by Will Brinson Filed under: UNC, West Virginia, ACC, NCAA FB Media Watch, NCAA FB Video, General CFB Insanity, Bowl GamesFanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from Bowl Season '08. The bonus of making an amazing catch at the end of 2008 is that you are fresh as mess in the minds the meaningless people who vote on meaningless postseason awards. But timing might not matter much for Hakeem Nicks, because this is the best catch of 2008, bar none. Now, granted, I feel like I've ...

CURIOUS INDEX, 12/29/08
EDSBS — Hakeem Nicks is horrifying. From the Meineke Car Care Bowl, where Bill Stewart kissed Pat White on the forehead, and Hakeem Nicks kissed Drew Rosenhaus’ phone number hello in his inbox. No-huddle ...

HAKEEM NICKS PULLS ONE OUT OF HIS BUTT
The World of Isaac — The first couple of replays really don't do this catch justice. Watching it in slow motion it looks like Nicks takes a big crap and a ball falls out and he magically slips it through his legs while running. The reaction from the defender after the play is great.

World, Hakeem Nicks. Hakeem Nicks, World.
Tar Heel Mania — Yes, the loss hurts in many ways that UNC’s other close losses have hurt this season, but this one was probably the least painful. It was as exciting game as one could ask for. Both teams played their hearts out and played (mostly) high quality football for most of the game. While making some mistakes, the Heels were excellent for much of the ...

Okay, This Deserves Another Look
Tar Heel Fan — I know I said I was done with football, but we should really take one more look at Hakeem Nicks’ freak show catch during the Car Bowl on Saturday because (1) it is probably the last time we will see Nicks in a Tar Heel uniform and (2) it may be one of the best catches I have ever seen.

While we might not have Nicks next year...
The 5th Corner — ...we will always have this catch. As I read around it seems to me that the Meineke Car Care Bowl game will have been the last time that Hakeem Nicks dons the Carolina Blue. I figured that a good way to remember the junior wide out as he heads into the National Football League is to put up the YouTube of one of the most memorable catches I have ever seen. One that I am sure is going to be talked about by many wide outs that will wear the Carolina uniform in the future. But, besides this one time play, you truly have to give a lot of praise to Nicks, who stepped it up as much as possible ...

Giants Draft Options: Wide Receiver
GiantsFootballBlog.com — Most Giants fans agree that the two biggest areas of need are at linebacker and wide receiver. Which position is at a higher priority is debatable, but it is certain that the Giants will address these two weaknesses during the offseason. Being that the Giants have three picks in the first two rounds, it is possible that Jerry Reese will decide to plug these holes with rookie players. With the recent first day selections of Aaron Ross, Steve Smith, Kenny Phillips and Terrell Thomas, Reese has shown that he is not afraid to use the draft to fix the ...

2009 NFL Draft Prospects: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
The 3rd String Safety — Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina Height: 6’2 Weight: 210 lbs. Positives: Nicks saved his best for last by scoring three TDs in his bowl game. Scouts put way too much stock in the last thing they saw, and this will push him up draft boards. Has decent height and frame. Looks like he could add some size. Has above average speed and attacks the ball very well on deep routes. Had over 1,000 yards in his senior year. Negatives: About the same as every other college receiver: Not as physical as you’d like to see. Has a problem breaking jams. Not the best route runner. Will struggle at first. Expect two full years of development before any ...

Better Know a Draft Prospect: North Carolina Wide Receiver Hakeem Nicks
Big Cat Country — Introduction When you are in the stadium watching the games, you get a sense of how David Garrard plays. You begin to see that he has favorite targets and has to form chemistry with the receiver. Ernest Wilford was someone David trusted, so was Dennis Northcutt. Reggie Williams began to develop that chemistry and David looked for him when he could. In 2008, our QB was left stranded without his familiar group. Wilford was gone, Northcutt was in the doghouse for some reason, Reggie couldn't get separation probably due to his knee and David had no one to go to. He began locking on Matt Jones and Matt responded. Jerry Porter did have a ...

NFL Scouting Combine, Day 2 Results
FanIQ Blog — With Michael Crabtree out of the NFL Combine mix, the prospects in perhaps the deepest wide receiver class in recent years had plenty to prove. A few took advantage of the opportunity to pull the focus onto themselves. WRs. ACT FAST. No need to act. These guys can move. Last year, Dexter Jackson was the only WR to pull of a sub 4.3 40-yard dash. Johnny Knox from Abilene Christian clocked an unofficial 4.25 in the 40-yard dash (4.34 official), Deon Butler from Penn State did it in 4.26 (4.38), Mike Wallace from Ol’ Miss clipped a 4.28 (4.33) and Maryland standout WR, Darrius Heyward-Bey edged it out with a 4.29 (4.30). Like the ...

Top ten positions the Bears will target in the draft
Top Ten Chicago Sports — Yeah, another Bears post. This is what happens when your favorite basketball team is coached by Vinny Del Negro. 10. Center Best of the bunch: Alex Mack We suggest: ??? At 31, Kruetz - long viewed on this site as Chicago's most overrated "star" - isn't getting any younger. There isn't much depth behind him, ...

UNC's Nicks looks to be underrated
Sports - Pancake Blocks — [image] I use my off day (Saturday) during the NFL regular season to watch as much college football as possible. North Carolina split end Hakeem Nicks was the most consistently impressive offensive skill player I saw all year, aside from Oklahoma's Sam Bradford. Nicks -- not even on the draft radar at the time -- first caught my eye in a 28-24 comeback win at Miami (FL) in September, dominating with five catches for 133 yards and a score. Two weeks later Nicks torched Notre Dame for nine grabs and 141 yards despite facing rolled coverage because the Tar Heels' supposed No. 1 receiver, Brandon Tate, tore his ACL early in the game. Nicks got open at will and ...

Matthew Stafford Dominates Wonderlic Test, Hakeem Nicks Bombs
Larry Brown Sports — ... While it’s an excellent sign for a guy like Stafford where learning a playbook, thinking on the spot, and adjusting to defenses is absolutely critical, the Wonderlic is far less important for a receiver. Honestly, does it really matter how poorly Nicks scored when he can do this on the field? Brains certainly help in football, but that sort of thing is just about natural, athletic ability, excellent hands, and superior concentration. Let’s see if the Lions bite on Stafford based on the Wonderlic considering they might ...

Who the hell will they draft: North Carolina WR Hakeem Nicks
Stampede Blue —   This draft is loaded with wide receivers of every type.  There are big targets like Kenny Britt, fast players like Darrius Heyward-Bey or Jeremy Maclin, five tool players like Percy Harvin, but rarely do drafts have great all-around players like this one.  I am a fan of a lot of wide receivers in this draft, but none more than North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks. Photo: assets.sbnation.com I think it has been established that I want Hakeem Nicks more than any other player that could be left around the Colts' first round.  I remember his amazing route running ...

UNC Wide Receiver Hakeem Nicks is having a rough week
Niners Nation — One guy who's name has popped up repeatedly here is UNC wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.  He first popped up on people's radars after a huge performance at the Meineke Car Care Bowl.  More notably was this catch. Nicks has been hanging around the end of the first round and beginning of the second round in many mock drafts, but this week might drop him a bit.  The possible 11 on his Wonderlic test certainly can't be a good thing.  However, more importantly is the story that he's gained upwards of 14 pounds since the Combine. According to Pro Football Talk, since tweaking his hamstring at the Combine (not ...

Why the Ravens Need Hakeem Nicks
Baltimore Beatdown — I've been debating this decision for quite a while now and it is now a firm belief in my mind that the Baltimore Ravens MUST draft North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks if he is available in the first round of April's NFL Draft. If Nicks is indeed still there when the Ravens pick at #26 of the first round, then GM Ozzie Newsome needs to grab this guy, as he will make highlight reels and score TD's on a regular basis. It's one thing to run straight down the field and beat defensive backs for long passes, but how many times does that happen per season compared to making tough grabs at key times, expecially in the Red Zone? I've seen so many guys ...

And with the #22 Pick in the Arrowhead Pride Community Mock Draft, the Minnesota Vikings Select...
Arrowhead Pride —                         North Carolina WR Hakeem Nicks kcsno56 with the pick... The Vikings are taking a WR with ...

WR Hakeem Nicks in Philadelphia for a visit
Bleeding Green Nation — According to PFT, NC State WR Hakeem Nicks is in town for a visit today. The 6'1 210lb WR is expected to go in the first two rounds. Mocking the Draft Scouting report on Nicks Strengths: Arguably the top route runner in this year's class, Nicks is a reliable target with very good hands. Runs crisp routes and has good quickness out of his breaks. For a receiver, Nicks has good strength. Cornerbacks have to be sound tacklers to take him down in the open field. Gives some safeties trouble when he gets a head of steam. Has good awareness of the sideline when he's up in the air. Knows how to ...

Tennessee Titans Draft Prospects : Wide Recievers
Titan Sized | A Tennessee Titans Blog — The Titans do not draft wide receivers in the first round. The last time they did was in 1998, when they selected Kevin Dyson out of Utah with the 16th pick. Sure he played the biggest part in two of the franchises most memorable plays (scored the TD in the “Music City Miracle” - yeah!, but came up a yard short of a TD in Super Bowl XXXIV in the play known as “The Tackle - boo!), but he was, for the most part, a bust. Call them gunshy, conservative or even underappreciative of the position, but for one reason or another, the Titans view the wideouts much differently than most NFL teams. It’s hard to disagree with ...

Our 6th and Final Mock Draft
Giants Gab — Draft Day is a little over a day away! And it’s looking increasingly unlikely that Braylon Edwards will end up in Blue. Quick note about that: That is a very fluid situation. It could be ‘dead’ now, but could easily revive with the Giants on the clock. So much happens that we don’t know about. They could be talking right now, for all we know. What we have to do is sift through the speculation and rumors, look at history and past deals, and make educated guesses. My guess? Edwards will be a Giant. But it will probably happen after Draft Day, much like the Jeremy Shockey deal a year ago. Now, we have our ...

NFL Draft's First Round Through The Señior's Eyes
The Redshirt Señior — Watching Mel Kiper, Chris Berman and the rest of the ESPN crew dissect prospects one thing was abundantly clear: apparently The Señior knows nothing about football. Somehow Graham Harrell torches every defense that has the gall to step on the field, yet he doesn't even get drafted? ...

A look at the New York Giants 2009 NFL Draft Selections
GMEN HQ | A New York Giants Blog — Round One: Hakeem Nicks (WR) UNC Age: 21, Junior 6′1  210lbs 40 Yard Dash: 4.49 Vertical Jump: 37.9 Career Best: (2008) Receptions: 68        Yards: 1,222      Touchdowns: 12 Career Numbers: Receptions: 181        Yards: 2,840       Touchdowns: 21 Nicks was an excellent selection at this point. With trade talks falling through with the Browns the Giants followed their board and picked arguably the most Pro ready receiver in the draft. Nicks is an exceptional player and plays a game ...

Juggernaut Index No. 17: The New York Giants
Roto Arcade — The Juggernaut Index is our annual ranking of NFL teams for fantasy purposes. Repeat: FOR FANTASY PURPOSES. We're interested in yards and points here. We began at No. 32, the NFL's least useful franchise (Oakland), and we're working our way toward the elite teams. These ranks are astonishingly accurate and highly collectible. Please enjoy them responsibly. 17. New York Giants This seems like the a fair time to direct your attention to the boilerplate above. We're ranking teams for fantasy here, not reality. The Giants are likely to be outstanding in 2009. The offensive line is excellent; the ...

Nicks and (Hopefully Not) Tears
"It's great to be young and a Yankee." — From RotoTimes: Nicks carted off the field Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks exited the game against Washington in the fourth quarter after getting his ankle rolled up on during a reception. Our View: The rookie was carted off the field after severely twisting his ankle on the play. No word on the severity of the injury, but we will provide updates as they become available. * * * Speaking of Nicks, here's a little gem from his college heydey: ...

Considering T.J. Yates
Tar Heel Fan — Plenty of heat to go around after the epic fail in Atlanta over the weekend.  Most of the ire has been directed at the offense and kicking game with a slowly dawning realization that the defense simply did not do enough to stop Georgia Tech on 3rd down.  As with any loss, sub-par performances are held up as some sort of “bloody glove” proving a player is guilty of crimes against winning football.  T.J. Yates is getting his share of criticisms and rightfully so.  Yates will be the first to tell you he played like crap.  However I think there is an idea starting to pervade itself withing the Tar Heel fan base that somehow Yates is regressing or ...

Video: Is Kashif Moore's One-Handed Grab the Catch of the Bowl Season?
The Sporting Blog — Kashif Moore spiced up an otherwise soporific day with this brilliant one-handed catch in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. I think it's the catch of this bowl season (and the decade, natch) but would hear any arguments. I also think it doesn't hold a candle to the magic of Hakeem Nicks last year. But not much will. ...