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Hakeem Nicks joins the Colts: 'I've got a new start now'

If Hakeem Nicks is to be believed, the Colts should feel fortunate to have landed the former New York Giants first-round pick.


Nicks, who signed a one-year deal with Indianapolis on Friday, said Saturday that he declined multi-year offers and an unspecified offer from his hometown team, the Carolina Panthers, before agreeing to terms with the Colts. The decision, Nicks said, wasn't difficult.


'I was (looking for a multi-year contract), but I didn't really like none of those situations,' Nicks said. 'I didn't want to get myself in a long-term situation that I didn't like. This was the best situation for me. A great organization, a chance to come in and show them what I can do (and) what I can bring to the table.'


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That comes after the Giants declined to offer Nicks an extension to remain with the team he helped win a Super Bowl in the 2011 season.


'Business is business and you have to move on,' Nicks said.


That decision by New York could be the Colts' gain if Nicks, 26, manages to contribute in a meaningful way. A two-time 1,000-yard receiver, he's had varying degrees of struggles during the past two seasons. But even in a down year in 2013, Nicks caught 56 passes for 896 yards. He averaged 16 yards per catch - 11th best in the NFL among full-time players. He caught only 55 percent of the passes intended for him (56 of 102), then again Giants quarterback Eli Manning didn't have a banner year, either. Manning posted the second-lowest quarterback rating of his career (69.4) and had his lowest completion percentage (57.5) in six seasons.


So, now, Nicks will team with Colts quarterback Andrew Luck hoping to turn the page. Actually, he's already doing that. When asked about his performance last season, Nicks declined to look back.


'Last year was last year,' he said. 'I don't really want to get into that. I've got a new start now.'



New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) catches a reception in front of Denver Broncos linebacker Nate Irving.(Photo: Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY Sports)


He added, 'I don't think there's nothing for me to prove. I just want to go out there and play football and win championships. My play speaks for itself. I'm always a believer in working in silence and letting the game speak loud. So, that's what I do. (People) will see me and then they'll all stop making speculation.'


How, exactly, Nicks will fit in with the Colts' other receivers will be determined later. But there's the potential for good things with the multiple options Luck will have in the passing game. Veteran Reggie Wayne is scheduled to return from a knee injury in the fall, re-joining T.Y. Hilton on the heels of the latter's phenomenal postseason.


The trio, Nick said, 'looks like a three-headed monster to me. Last time I was in that situation, I won a Super Bowl. So, I'm excited about that.'


The Colts were a draw for Nicks because they're in position to win now, Luck is an elite quarterback and Nicks saw the opportunity to produce. But pre-existing relationships were a factor, too. Receivers coach Charlie Williams coached Nicks at the University of North Carolina. And coach Chuck Pagano was the Tar Heels' defensive coordinator for one of Nicks' seasons at UNC.


Taking all things into consideration, Nicks moved forward and made his choice. And, like the Colts, he's happy with it.


'I feel like I made the best decision,' he said, 'and I'm ready to take advantage of it.'


Call Star reporter Stephen Holder at (317) 444-6520. Follow him on Twitter: @HolderStephen


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