| 25 June 2010
The difference between winning and losing in the NFL is razor thin. We are going to show you a video of a play last year that resulted in a TD, and we want your initial reaction.
Well, it looks like a fluke. And it was certainly a piece of good fortune for the Giants, who would still go on to lose the game. But upon closer inspection a different story emerges from the play. Nicks is on the left side and he only breaks off his original route AFTER the ball is thrown because now his job is to be a blocker for Manningham down the field. His hustle puts him in a position to be around the ball and to make that play. Ya think Randy Moss is going to be anywhere near that zip code if given the same route? I doubt it.
The difference between winning and losing in the NFL is about individual effort and good coaching. Do you remember the words of Michael Strahan on his voiceover of Super Bowl XLII? He said that the coaches were preaching about doing the ordinary things to win. That doing all of the ordinary things will lead to something extraordinary. Hakeem Nicks' attention to detail in performing an ordinary part of his job led to something that was extraordinary. The fact that it came from a rookie was extra special.
Were we surprised? No, not if you go back to this post on June 15, 2009.
People turn their television on for week 1 and see a rookie make some good plays and they think it is his ability. But we here on this blog watch the Giants 24/7/365 and know enough about football to be aware of the fact that it takes a tremendous amount of dedication and effort to succeed. Is it crazy to think he can take the X and be next to Smith? If he works hard enough it will only be a matter of time. At the very least, it is simply an encouraging sign to see a rookie with special gifts who is willing to work. It shows a great deal of self-respect, respect for his teammates and coaches.
David Diehl's observation on Nicks' work ethic: "That's how you succeed and that's how you make a splash in the NFL."
Just for a little contrast, let's revisit last week's disclosure courtesy of Garafolo that Clint Sintim was not putting out the effort requisite for succeeding in the NFL. In 2009 Nicks fought for time behind an All-Pro in Steve Smith and a budding talent in Mario Manningham, not to mention likely being behind Hixon, Moss and Hagan at the start of the season. Yet he amassed 6 starts, 800 yards and 6 TDs despite some injuries.
Sintim, for his part, acknowledged his lapses last season. He has plenty of time and opportunity to get on track. He may already be on track, for all we know. How a player like this responds to adversity is going to not only tell a lot about him, it will tell a lot about the Giants this season as well. Sintim is slated to be the starting SAM, so it is his job to win or lose. Do not make the mistake of judging Sintim the first half of the 2010 season. He's got a new defensive coordinator, a new starting MIKE and a new opportunity. If it comes together for him, you won't see him likely making plays (beyond the simple pass rushing stuff which we have already seen him do) until the second half of the season. You have to give it time. If it takes Pierce and Barrow a half a season to make it come together on a new team, for sure we can give Sintim a half a season after his rookie year for him to come into his own.
Boley, Wilkinson and Sintim need to stay healthy and make it through the season together. They all have the athleticism to become a good unit. At this point asking them all to come through the season is going to be a tall order. How many collective starts do you predict these three will make this season? The answer to that question will go a long way to determining how well the Giants do in 2010. Sintim has a lot to prove, but so does this entire Giants team.
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