DV can get thrown under a Jet bus

Wile_E_Coyote · 08-23-2007, 11:24 AM

http://forums.theganggreen.com/showthread.php?t=23924

Ex-Chief Hicks finds new life on Jets' defense
BY TOM ROCK | To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.
August 23, 2007

Eric Hicks spent most of his NFL career in the fast lane.

No, the former Chiefs defensive end wasn't getting into Pacman-like trouble. But he was using his speed as an outside rusher and became one of Kansas City's top sackers, amassing 44.5 of them during his nine years at Arrowhead, including 14 in 2000. He was a pin-your-ears-back, come-around-the-corner torpedo of quarterbacks.

Last year, however, the Chiefs rarely used Hicks. He appeared in all 16 games, but did not start and had only seven tackles. He was released at the end of the year and not a lot of NFL teams were interested in acquiring the presumably washed-up 31-year-old.

Until the Jets started asking around about him, that is. Coach Eric Mangini said the team approached former Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil.

"He said he was a tempo-setter for years, and that he loved the guy, just loved him," Mangini said of Vermeil's recommendation. "When Dick Vermeil speaks that glowingly about someone, that has an impact on me."

So the Jets signed Hicks as a free agent in late May, just prior to organized team activities. He was one of several defensive linemen the team picked from the scrap heap during the offseason - Michael Haynes, Andre Wadsworth, even Bobby Hamilton - and figured to be a low-risk investment and a veteran presence at camp.

Now, it seems, Hicks is well on his way to making the team. Although he's not the speedster he once was, he's found a place as a two-gap lineman and has played extensively on the Jets' nickel and dime packages. By changing from a 4-3 outside rusher to a 3-4 inside stuffer, Hicks is resuscitating his career and should be a part of the Jets plans for this season.

"I'm not saying I couldn't play in the 4-3, but I think this is a little more advantageous for me, being over 30 now," Hicks said of what is essentially a new position in a new scheme.

"I'm finding my niche here, I think. I'm learning the defense pretty fast."

Defensive line coach Dan Quinn said he had little doubt Hicks could adjust to his new role. "I think good players can play in any system," Quinn said.

"When a guy has the physical characteristics to do it, they're going to find a place to play."

Hicks said playing two-gap requires much more discipline and technique than his former starting point. He said there is a lot more "hand-to-hand fighting" with offensive linemen as opposed to dealing with smaller tight ends and running backs. At 6-6, 280 pounds, with diminished speed, Hicks uses his strength and guile now to beat blockers.

While Hicks has worked to retool his game, his approach has remained the same, and that has caught the eye of Jets coaches more than anything. "I love his motor and toughness, his willingness to learn and take coaching," Mangini said.

Mangini also found Hicks' devotion to charity an impressive quality. His "The Hicks for Hearts Foundation" was formed in 2001 to help children with congenital heart defects. In 1999 he and his wife, Erica, had a daughter who underwent two surgeries to repair heart defects after she nearly died from cardiac arrest when she was just seven days old. Since those surgeries, Shayla has been healthy and her prognosis is good.

So, too, is the prognosis of her father, almost fully acclimated to life in a green uniform.

"I sometimes revert back to old habits, which is going to happen now and then, but it's happening with a lot less frequency now," Hicks said. "It's becoming almost innate now for me to do what the Jets coaches are asking me to do as opposed to what the Chiefs coaches asked me to do for the past nine years."

Direckshun · 08-23-2007, 11:26 AM

Typical Chiefs fan.

Hicks makes the Jets squad, so of course that means the Chiefs screwed the pooch, rather than the much more obvious truth that the Jets are simply hard up for DL help.

88TG88 · 08-23-2007, 11:26 AM

Speed and Eric Hicks are two words that can never be used in the same sentence.

Wile_E_Coyote · 08-23-2007, 11:28 AM

Plummer enjoys a rare laugh before washing the Honda Element, again

**RealSNR** · 08-23-2007, 11:28 AM

Sorry, but no. I'll take my chances with McBride, thank you very much.

Wile_E_Coyote · 08-23-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Typical Chiefs fan.

Hicks makes the Jets squad, so of course that means the Chiefs screwed the pooch, rather than the much more obvious truth that the Jets are simply hard up for DL help.

You misunderstand

Spicy McHaggis · 08-23-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wile_E_Coyote

"He said he was a tempo-setter for years, and that he loved the guy, just loved him," Mangini said of Vermeil's recommendation. "When Dick Vermeil speaks that glowingly about someone, that has an impact on me."

I hope Mangini knows that Vermeil gets weepy talking about the water boys on the teams he coached.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 08-23-2007, 11:33 AM

how is this Vermeil's fault?

kcxiv · 08-23-2007, 11:34 AM

They are trying to fool Jets fans with that speedster thing. I dont think Hicks was ever a speedster. He looked slow all the time. He was strong, but slow as a snail.

runnercyclist · 08-23-2007, 11:35 AM

Have him. Enjoy.

Hicks = a torpedo of Quarterbacks?

I think not.

el borracho · 08-23-2007, 11:36 AM

"When Dick Vermeil speaks that glowingly about someone, that has an impact on me."

Yeah, it has an impact on me, too. It tells me the guy probably isn't as physically gifted as the competition he will face; it tells me that guy probably sucks.

teedubya · 08-23-2007, 11:36 AM

we all know Dick knows defense.

Wile_E_Coyote · 08-23-2007, 11:41 AM

Carl has thrown DV under the bus. Herm has thrown DV under the buss. & now Mangini can throw DV under the bus when the media asks how come Hicks sucks

~needs photoshop search

**The Franchise** · 08-23-2007, 11:42 AM

The Patriots, Dolphins and Bills offensive coordinators just put the bootleg play into their playbook.

kaplin42 · 08-23-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runnercyclist

Have him. Enjoy.

Hicks = a torpedo of Quarterbacks?

I think not.

SHHHHHHH!!!

Haven't you all ever played a prank on anyone before? Just sit back and watch for that look of disappointment in a Jets fan's eyes about 5 mins into their first game of the season.

08-23-2007, 11:24 AM
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	DV can get thrown under a Jet bus http://forums.theganggreen.com/showthread.php?t=23924 Ex-Chief Hicks finds new life on Jets' defense BY TOM ROCK \| To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily. August 23, 2007 Eric Hicks spent most of his NFL career in the fast lane. No, the former Chiefs defensive end wasn't getting into Pacman-like trouble. But he was using his speed as an outside rusher and became one of Kansas City's top sackers, amassing 44.5 of them during his nine years at Arrowhead, including 14 in 2000. He was a pin-your-ears-back, come-around-the-corner torpedo of quarterbacks. Last year, however, the Chiefs rarely used Hicks. He appeared in all 16 games, but did not start and had only seven tackles. He was released at the end of the year and not a lot of NFL teams were interested in acquiring the presumably washed-up 31-year-old. Until the Jets started asking around about him, that is. Coach Eric Mangini said the team approached former Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil. "He said he was a tempo-setter for years, and that he loved the guy, just loved him," Mangini said of Vermeil's recommendation. "When Dick Vermeil speaks that glowingly about someone, that has an impact on me." So the Jets signed Hicks as a free agent in late May, just prior to organized team activities. He was one of several defensive linemen the team picked from the scrap heap during the offseason - Michael Haynes, Andre Wadsworth, even Bobby Hamilton - and figured to be a low-risk investment and a veteran presence at camp. Now, it seems, Hicks is well on his way to making the team. Although he's not the speedster he once was, he's found a place as a two-gap lineman and has played extensively on the Jets' nickel and dime packages. By changing from a 4-3 outside rusher to a 3-4 inside stuffer, Hicks is resuscitating his career and should be a part of the Jets plans for this season. "I'm not saying I couldn't play in the 4-3, but I think this is a little more advantageous for me, being over 30 now," Hicks said of what is essentially a new position in a new scheme. "I'm finding my niche here, I think. I'm learning the defense pretty fast." Defensive line coach Dan Quinn said he had little doubt Hicks could adjust to his new role. "I think good players can play in any system," Quinn said. "When a guy has the physical characteristics to do it, they're going to find a place to play." Hicks said playing two-gap requires much more discipline and technique than his former starting point. He said there is a lot more "hand-to-hand fighting" with offensive linemen as opposed to dealing with smaller tight ends and running backs. At 6-6, 280 pounds, with diminished speed, Hicks uses his strength and guile now to beat blockers. While Hicks has worked to retool his game, his approach has remained the same, and that has caught the eye of Jets coaches more than anything. "I love his motor and toughness, his willingness to learn and take coaching," Mangini said. Mangini also found Hicks' devotion to charity an impressive quality. His "The Hicks for Hearts Foundation" was formed in 2001 to help children with congenital heart defects. In 1999 he and his wife, Erica, had a daughter who underwent two surgeries to repair heart defects after she nearly died from cardiac arrest when she was just seven days old. Since those surgeries, Shayla has been healthy and her prognosis is good. So, too, is the prognosis of her father, almost fully acclimated to life in a green uniform. "I sometimes revert back to old habits, which is going to happen now and then, but it's happening with a lot less frequency now," Hicks said. "It's becoming almost innate now for me to do what the Jets coaches are asking me to do as opposed to what the Chiefs coaches asked me to do for the past nine years."
Posts: 6,009

08-23-2007, 11:26 AM	#2
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2143447	Typical Chiefs fan. Hicks makes the Jets squad, so of course that means the Chiefs screwed the pooch, rather than the much more obvious truth that the Jets are simply hard up for DL help.
Posts: 59,687

08-23-2007, 11:26 AM	#3
88TG88 don't tell me about collage Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Los Angeles Casino cash: $10009184	Speed and Eric Hicks are two words that can never be used in the same sentence.
Posts: 6,274

08-23-2007, 11:28 AM	#4
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	Plummer enjoys a rare laugh before washing the Honda Element, again
Posts: 6,009

08-23-2007, 11:28 AM	#5
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $-1284792	Sorry, but no. I'll take my chances with McBride, thank you very much.
Posts: 93,259

08-23-2007, 11:33 AM	#8
mikeyis4dcats. Scarlett Johansson's boytoy Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $9555998	how is this Vermeil's fault?
Posts: 12,526

08-23-2007, 11:34 AM	#9
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	They are trying to fool Jets fans with that speedster thing. I dont think Hicks was ever a speedster. He looked slow all the time. He was strong, but slow as a snail.
Posts: 29,111

08-23-2007, 11:35 AM	#10
runnercyclist Gone to Carolina Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: By lake Wylie in tega cay Casino cash: $10006038	Have him. Enjoy. Hicks = a torpedo of Quarterbacks? I think not.
Posts: 2,759

08-23-2007, 11:36 AM	#11
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $2759148	"When Dick Vermeil speaks that glowingly about someone, that has an impact on me." Yeah, it has an impact on me, too. It tells me the guy probably isn't as physically gifted as the competition he will face; it tells me that guy probably sucks.
Posts: 12,241

08-23-2007, 11:36 AM	#12
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9023042	we all know Dick knows defense.
Posts: 36,826

08-23-2007, 11:41 AM	#13
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	Carl has thrown DV under the bus. Herm has thrown DV under the buss. & now Mangini can throw DV under the bus when the media asks how come Hicks sucks ~needs photoshop search
Posts: 6,009

08-23-2007, 11:42 AM	#14
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2105047	The Patriots, Dolphins and Bills offensive coordinators just put the bootleg play into their playbook.
Posts: 92,316