Indianapolis Colts: Hakeem Nicks Has New Life With Andrew Luck

In the 2012 and 2013 seasons, Hakeem Nicks struggled mightily with the New York Giants. Now, it didn’t help that a couple of nagging injuries persisted for him here and there, but Nicks hit a couple of career-lows in those two years.

Not only did Nicks only score three touchdowns on over 200 targets (all of those scores coming in 2012), but he only caught 109 of those targets. That’s barely 50 percent.

Heading into this 2014 NFL season, one had to wonder, how much of his lack of success was on him, and how much of it was on the Giants’ offense?

The Giants’ offense had one of the worst offensive lines in both of those years, and also saw Victor Cruz grow into a star and the true No. 1 in New York. It also saw Eli Manning show how truly overrated he was and has always been. Sorry, he’s just not that talented and had a ridiculous amount of help in their two Super Bowl runs.

But now that Nicks has left that situation and come to the Indianapolis Colts, it’s clear after his first game that Andrew Luck and that offense has brought new life into the 26-year-old wideout.

Now Indy’s O-line isn’t all that much itself, but because of Luck’s talent and ability to avoid the pass rush and keep plays alive, all of his receivers get a chance to shine throughout the game. And in the Colts’ first game against the Denver Broncos, despite the loss, Nicks was ability to be a benefactor of that and contributed to their near-comeback.

Nicks was targeted five times in this one by Luck, and he caught all five, including a ball that was tipped in the end zone and came right to him for a touchdown. That kind of “luck” didn’t follow him in New York, but his current QB just has a way about him where there’s always a chance simply because he’s a playmaker and winner. That’s the biggest reason Nicks has already tasted some success with the Colts, and will only build on that moving forward.

Another major reason why Nicks will continue on this success in Indy is because of the versatility he brings to an already extensive group of weapons. He has lined up all over the field before, and can do the same with the Colts. No matter where you put him — on the outside or in the slot — he’s comfortable and can provide flexibility to move around and not only set up himself, but get guys like T.Y. Hilton, Reggie Wayne, Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen in position to get open and make a play.

Because of all this, it’s easy to see why Nicks has new life with Luck and the Colts. Expect him to big a main cog in this offense all season.

Brian Neal is a contributor at InkOnIndy.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianneal23.