New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks

08-11-2012, 01:58 AM

I've been watching Hicks at the U of R for the past couple seasons, and I've got to say i was very impressed with his play on Thursday. I've known for a long time that he possesses the raw athletic ability, but you can never be sure that a player can put it all together at the highest level. Seeing Hicks do the things he did this week gave me confidence that he'll be a contributor on this defense by the end of the year. Here's hoping I'm right.

On a bit of a side note, I'm just curious if you guys had heard this. As a Regina guy, I've heard that Hicks was actually a more sought after recruit than Michael Brockers by LSU (they were the same recruiting class). Hicks ended up in Canada, Brockers ended up a first round pick. Just goes to show you what the ceiling for this kid might be.

dizzle88 · 08-11-2012, 06:52 AM

Any player that can force his blocker backwards into the QB and force a bad throw is cool with me

Hicks may be a raw talent, but there's no denying his natural strength and effort

Luda34 · 08-11-2012, 07:16 AM

This guys is going to be a beast he remind me of Perrie Paul in New York

papz · 08-11-2012, 07:56 AM

They're not remotely the same.

iceshack149 · 08-11-2012, 10:18 AM

“I was coming across to the B gap and then I saw him starting to set soft,” Hicks said as he described the play. “I turned speed into power and took him back to Mallett and put him down. It was a good feeling.”

It was a good quote.

FinSaint · 08-11-2012, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by papz

They're not remotely the same.

Agreed, if I had to pick one player from that Giants' roster and from the time Spags was there... I'd say Hicks reminds Chris Canty the most.

In fact, that was the reason why I wanted the Saints to pick tall DTs from the past draft because Spags had that in Canty in NY, and my favorites were because of that Derek Wolfe and Akiem Hicks, in that order.

Originally Posted by Clarke

On a bit of a side note, I'm just curious if you guys had heard this. As a Regina guy, I've heard that Hicks was actually a more sought after recruit than Michael Brockers by LSU (they were the same recruiting class). Hicks ended up in Canada, Brockers ended up a first round pick. Just goes to show you what the ceiling for this kid might be.

Yeah, I think most of us here knew that, and it was something that was discussed quite a lot after the Saints picked Hicks in this past draft. Mike Mayock said during the draft that he wasn't at all certain that if Hicks would've been able to play for LSU that we'd be talking about Brockers as the #1 DT coming out from LSU - meaning that Hicks has the talent to be at least on the same level as Brockers, and with the benefit of that program, his potential would've been higher with the right coaching.

the-commish · 08-11-2012, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

This guy here, Tyrunn Walker, looks the part too although probably PS bound.

Not sure. Walker can play in the middle, and also at DE (think of Cam Jordan, only with DT being Walker's natural position, and DE being Cam Jordan's). This team likes players who can play more than one position.

Walker could be PS bound, but Tom Johnson and Remi Ayodele are not locks, so Walker could actually make it as a backup DT, who could be switched to DE. I actually like Tyrunn Walker's chances, assuming he continues to apply pressure in the next three preseason games.

Utah_Saint · 08-11-2012, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by the-commish

Not sure. Walker can play in the middle, and also at DE (think of Cam Jordan, only with DT being Walker's natural position, and DE being Cam Jordan's). This team likes players who can play more than one position.

Walker could be PS bound, but Tom Johnson and Remi Ayodele are not locks, so Walker could actually make it as a backup DT, who could be switched to DE. I actually like Tyrunn Walker's chances, assuming he continues to apply pressure in the next three preseason games.

Spagnuolo loves guys that can play more than one position.

homerj07 · 08-12-2012, 07:49 PM

Keep it up in the regular season

The Dude · 08-12-2012, 08:08 PM

What player on the Giants.roster under Spags does he remind you of the most?

08-11-2012, 01:58 AM	#11
Threaded by Clarke Rookie Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 21 Rating: (0 votes - average) I've been watching Hicks at the U of R for the past couple seasons, and I've got to say i was very impressed with his play on Thursday. I've known for a long time that he possesses the raw athletic ability, but you can never be sure that a player can put it all together at the highest level. Seeing Hicks do the things he did this week gave me confidence that he'll be a contributor on this defense by the end of the year. Here's hoping I'm right. On a bit of a side note, I'm just curious if you guys had heard this. As a Regina guy, I've heard that Hicks was actually a more sought after recruit than Michael Brockers by LSU (they were the same recruiting class). Hicks ended up in Canada, Brockers ended up a first round pick. Just goes to show you what the ceiling for this kid might be. RockyMountainSaint likes this.
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08-11-2012, 06:52 AM	#12
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10,838	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Any player that can force his blocker backwards into the QB and force a bad throw is cool with me Hicks may be a raw talent, but there's no denying his natural strength and effort

08-11-2012, 07:16 AM	#13
Luda34 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston Tx Posts: 1,219	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks This guys is going to be a beast he remind me of Perrie Paul in New York

08-11-2012, 07:56 AM	#14
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,681	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks They're not remotely the same. FinSaint likes this.

08-11-2012, 10:18 AM	#15
iceshack149 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 4,085 Blog Entries: 1	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks “I was coming across to the B gap and then I saw him starting to set soft,” Hicks said as he described the play. “I turned speed into power and took him back to Mallett and put him down. It was a good feeling.” It was a good quote.

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08-11-2012, 10:30 AM	#16
FinSaint Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Finland... formerly Southern Virginia Posts: 4,955	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Originally Posted by papz They're not remotely the same. Agreed, if I had to pick one player from that Giants' roster and from the time Spags was there... I'd say Hicks reminds Chris Canty the most. In fact, that was the reason why I wanted the Saints to pick tall DTs from the past draft because Spags had that in Canty in NY, and my favorites were because of that Derek Wolfe and Akiem Hicks, in that order. Originally Posted by Clarke On a bit of a side note, I'm just curious if you guys had heard this. As a Regina guy, I've heard that Hicks was actually a more sought after recruit than Michael Brockers by LSU (they were the same recruiting class). Hicks ended up in Canada, Brockers ended up a first round pick. Just goes to show you what the ceiling for this kid might be. Yeah, I think most of us here knew that, and it was something that was discussed quite a lot after the Saints picked Hicks in this past draft. Mike Mayock said during the draft that he wasn't at all certain that if Hicks would've been able to play for LSU that we'd be talking about Brockers as the #1 DT coming out from LSU - meaning that Hicks has the talent to be at least on the same level as Brockers, and with the benefit of that program, his potential would've been higher with the right coaching.
	"I'm not bashing people, I'm bashing their opinions because in my opinion their opinion is wrong" - Danno

08-11-2012, 09:40 PM	#17
the-commish Longtime WhoDat Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 529	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Originally Posted by SmashMouth This guy here, Tyrunn Walker, looks the part too although probably PS bound. Not sure. Walker can play in the middle, and also at DE (think of Cam Jordan, only with DT being Walker's natural position, and DE being Cam Jordan's). This team likes players who can play more than one position. Walker could be PS bound, but Tom Johnson and Remi Ayodele are not locks, so Walker could actually make it as a backup DT, who could be switched to DE. I actually like Tyrunn Walker's chances, assuming he continues to apply pressure in the next three preseason games.

08-11-2012, 11:32 PM	#18
Utah_Saint Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,521	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Originally Posted by the-commish Not sure. Walker can play in the middle, and also at DE (think of Cam Jordan, only with DT being Walker's natural position, and DE being Cam Jordan's). This team likes players who can play more than one position. Walker could be PS bound, but Tom Johnson and Remi Ayodele are not locks, so Walker could actually make it as a backup DT, who could be switched to DE. I actually like Tyrunn Walker's chances, assuming he continues to apply pressure in the next three preseason games. Spagnuolo loves guys that can play more than one position.

08-12-2012, 07:49 PM	#19
homerj07 In Doh We Trust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 7,027 Blog Entries: 16	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks Keep it up in the regular season

08-12-2012, 08:08 PM	#20
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,006	Re: New Orleans Saints might have found gem in Akiem Hicks What player on the Giants.roster under Spags does he remind you of the most?
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,006

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