Hakeem Knicks has been in the same position as Malik Nabors.
Fifteen years before Neighbors began catching passes this week in his first over-the-top training session with the Giants, Nicks was a first-round draft wide receiver trying to be evaluated against lofty standards as a rookie while dealing with the scrutiny and pressure of playing in New York.
“Stay focused on the mission,” Nicks said. “The important thing is, you were drafted to play football as a wide receiver. Everything else, don’t ride the wave. That’s my advice. If you ride it when it’s up, you’ll ride it when it’s down. Just do what you did to get here.”
Neighbors has hopes of elevating a passing attack ranked No. 31 in the NFL and an immediate replacement for former LSU great Odell Beckham Jr., who hasn’t had a true replacement since being traded to the Giants in 2019. I am burdened with comparisons.
The Knicks joined the Giants in 2009 to ease the burden of losing Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress and franchise great Amani Toomer.
Nicks had 202 catches for 3,304 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first three seasons. He was irresistible in the four-game playoff series en route to winning Super Bowl XLVI, finishing with 28 catches for 444 yards and four touchdowns.
So what is it like producing in New York?
“I’m very happy. It’s one of the best feelings, especially in this market,” Nix said. “You’ll still be famous.” [your career]. This fan base is so special that it all comes down to your legacy and the impression you leave. ”
As if on cue, Nix was speaking at the Dexter Lawrence Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday after signing autographs for an hour.
He was one of the graduates who drew the most attention from the crowd of about 2,000 people who gathered at Pomona’s Clover Stadium for the event, which raised $60,000 for St. Christopher’s.
Like many fans, the Knicks are excited to see how Neighbors will perform within head coach Brian Daboll’s offense.
“When I watch his run after the catch, it kind of reminds me of myself,” Nix said. “Nobody’s going to drag him down. He’s shown on his film that he can get a little askew and bring it home, Odell Beckham-esque. LSU, they’re developing good wide receivers there. I’m happy with the selection.”
Entering his third season on the Giants’ roster, Wan’Dale Robinson has already shown glimpses of what’s possible with a retooled receiver corps.
Neighbors and veterans Allen Robinson and Isaiah McKenzie will join Wan’Dale, Jalyn Hyatt, Isaiah Hodgins and (possibly) eventually Darius Slayton, who is currently absent from voluntary workouts due to a contract dispute.
“[Malik] “That’s going to help all of us,” Robinson said. “He’s a really explosive guy. He can play a lot of different things. [receiver] Like all of us, we have many different positions. I think Coach Daves is excited to have us in different positions and do different things. ”
Nicks’ playing career was cut short by injuries and he retired after the 2015 season. Originally the 29th overall draft pick, he spent six seasons with the Giants over two stints.
Nabors is the highest-ranked receiver in Giants history (No. 6). Instead of having the benefit of playing with Eli Manning in his prime like the Knicks did, the Neighbors find themselves in a situation where Daniel Jones is struggling to maintain his starting spot.
People around Nabors feel that he has quickly come to appreciate Jones’ hard work, as well as the speed and accuracy of his pitching, since he returned from a season-ending ACL tear.
That should make it easier for Neighbors to block out distractions and do their part.
“You can’t put too much emphasis on being drafted in the first round,” Nix said. “I focus on being the best team player I can be.”
