Tom Coughlin is frustrated. He thought once the New York Giants locked Victor Cruz into a long-term contract, he would finally have both of his biggest offensive weapons back on the field. However, with training camp in full swing, Hakeem Nicks is sitting on the sideline and not making his head coach very happy.
Nicks reportedly suffered a strained groin the first practice during the summer and has been sitting out ever since. The Giants are trying to be patience with Nicks, limiting his practice time in general, but after the receiver missed OTAs, he has some catching up to do and Coughlin would like to see him at full speed.
"Certainly I want to see him on the field, and he wants to be on the field," Coughlin said. "It's frustrating, but I've got to learn to control myself when it comes to that as well and just realize he's trying like heck to get out here and he knows he needs to practice and work at it. He came in excited about being able to go but he had this little groin injury which I hope is not going to set him back for very long. But obviously, we're taking all the necessary precautions."
Wide receivers coach Kevin M. Gilbride is echoing the statements of Coughlin. He notes the team is very frustrated that their top player is not on the field. Gilbride notes that they would rather have Nicks sit out some preseason games than lose him for an amount of time during the regular season.
"I think he needs to practice and he knows it," Gilbride said. "We talk about it all the time. In order for you to be ready for the season, you need to have done it. Done it over and over. Done it wrong and made the adjustments. And then have it become part of what you do. He's just not there, he needs to continue to improve, he knows that."
Nicks is entering the final year of his current contract. If he can stay healthy and be the top receiver that he is, Nicks will likely earn a much larger extension than the one that Cruz signed this summer. Everything hinges upon Nicks' health which has been his main issue throughout his NFL career. Coughlin may be frustrated for how many times Nicks has to head to the training room, but deep down he knows just how vital the receiver is to the team's success.
