Mortenson: Hakeem Nicks cleared by doctors, "willing to weigh a one-year contract"

According to ESPN's Chris Mortenson, free agent receiver Hakeem Nicks is interested in signing a one year contract for 2014. The receiver is reportedly receptive to staying with the New York Giants, but hopes to go to a team with a proven quarterback if that isn't an option.

Nicks displayed #1 receiver talent early in his career, including a dominant 2011 playoff run that culminated with a 10 catch, 109 yard performance in the Giants Super Bowl XLVI victory over the Patriots. However but back-to-back injury plagued down years have torpoedoed his market value. For Nicks, signing a one year deal would be essentially gambling on himself to have a big year in 2014 and rehabilitate his league-wide value, just in time to hit free agency again next year.

Would the Patriots consider signing Nicks to a one year deal? I'm not sure, but I certainly think it's a move they should consider. With Tom Brady under center, the Patriots have one of the best quarterback situations in the league. They could also stand to give Brady a proven weapon to work with, especially while facing the very real possibility that last year's go-to guy Julian Edelman gets a big payday to play somewhere else next year.

We've all made the criticism that the Patriots need to get Brady better weapons to work with for his last few shots at a fourth championship. Signing Nicks for one year would be a relatively affordable way to add the kind of legitimate outside playmaker the Patriots haven't had since Randy Moss. Simply put, when Nicks is healthy and focused, he's a beast. He'd provide the two thinks the Patriots offense was missing last season; a dangerous deep threat and red zone target.

Of course, staying healthy and focused has been an challenge for Nicks the past two seasons. The receiver has proven willing to play through pain, missing only four games in the past two seasons, but he's been noticeably hampered by injuries both of those years. As a result, his performance has dramatically dipped, averaging 54 catches for 794 yards the past two seasons, a span in which he's only scored 3 touchdowns (all in 2012).

However, Nicks proved what he's capable of when healthy from 2010-2011. That span saw Nicks explode for back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, scoring 18 regular season touchdowns in that two year span. He also went on that aforementioned monster playoff run in 2011, catching 28 passes for 444 yards and four touchdowns in four games.

If my words aren't convincing enough, watch this video. This guy can play.

As usual, be aware of NSFW lyrics in the background music

It's impossible to predict if Nicks will stay healthy, but multiple doctors are claiming he's healthy now. Dr. Robert Anderson and Dr. James Andrews, who have performed surgery on Nick's fractured foot and PCL in the past two years, have both endorsed Nicks' health, claiming that they see no reasons for long-term concerns.

In addition to being healthy (for now), the 26 year old Nicks could be invigorated by playing with a quarterback like Tom Brady. After last years dud of a contract year, Nicks will be essentially playing for his career. A productive year, particularly playing for the highly visible Patriots, could land Nicks the kind of long-term deal he was hoping to secure this offseason. Another down year won't necessarily kill his career, but will probably slam the door shut on any chance for a big long-term contract down the road. Nicks knows this, and would have an intriguing opportunity to be a top receiver for a contender in New England.

In the end, it will probably come down to how much Nicks wishes to be compensated for next season. Will he be willing sacrifice some money next year to play in a better situation to rehab his reputation? Will another team out there offer close to top receiver money to secure his services next year?  We probably won't find out until Tuesday, when free agency officially opens.

Either way, the opportunity should be there to add a player with legitimate top receiver talent. I won't go as far as saying sign him or bust, but I'll be disapointed if the Pats don't even throw their hat into the mix.



Do you want Nicks on the Patriots? Let us know in the comments