According to the New York Daily News, Coughlin says both he and Hakeem Nicks realize the 25-year-old receiver hasn't been the same player this season bouncing back from offseason foot surgery.
"The competitor that he is, he's very much aware," Coughlin told The News on Wednesday. "And quite frankly he's always gobbled those balls up. So explanation? I wouldn't offer an excuse. I'm sure he wouldn't either."
Through the Giants disappointing 1-6 start, Nicks has just 27 catches for 470 yards and no touchdowns. At times, he's also looked slow and his once-reliable catching ability has failed him.
That's a problem, considering this is a conract season for Nicks, who'll be a free agent in March. Before this extended slump he was largely expected to get more than than the five-year, $43 million contract the Giants gave Victor Cruz a few months ago. Several NFL sources projected he'd ask - and likely get - a deal worth more than $11 million per year.
That may no longer be the case. "You've got to get to the point where the reliability factor is there as strongly as it always has been," Coughlin told The News."Has it been there up to this point? No. But we're saying 'Let's get back to work and get this done.' We count on this guy."
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