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Giants Like What They See From Ike; Me too :)
Topic Started: Aug 26 2003, 07:27 AM (34 Views)
BlueHeart
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Giants Like What They See From Ike
Team relishes Hilliard's return to form

By Neil Best
STAFF WRITER

August 26, 2003

The dramatic part was the long, lonely run that produced an 88-yard touchdown play. If it had been the regular season, it would have been the Giants' longest pass in 31 years and fourth longest ever.

The real news in Ike Hilliard's big play Saturday against the Jets, though, was in how it started. As usual, he was working the middle, found a crease between the cornerback and safety and gave the quarterback an inviting target.

That often is Hilliard's role in the Giants' versatile offense, and it was missing in the last nine games of 2002 after he suffered severe shoulder and chest injuries against the Eagles Oct. 28. The fact he already is back to making vintage Hilliard plays is one of the most positive developments this summer.

"He's a great one-on-one operator," coach Jim Fassel said. "Really fluid, very easy for the quarterback to locate."

Hilliard also is smart and instinctive, which long has made him a favorite of Kerry Collins. He finished with seven receptions Saturday for 150 yards - nine yards more than his regular-season high. The longest regular-season pass of his career covered 59 yards.

"It feels really good putting some decent product on the field in a game situation and transferring that from the practice field," Hilliard said.

Soon after the touchdown, the Jets' Aaron Beasley gave Hilliard a solid blow to the left shoulder (the opposite side from the one he injured last year), but Hilliard bounced up and signaled a first down after a 15-yard gain.

"Starting with the first [preseason] game in New England, you have to turn all that over to that higher power," said Hilliard, who has had five surgeries in six seasons. "I'm playing pro football. You're going to get hit, so you may as well catch them. I am not changing my game. No alligator arms. I'm fine."

Fassel said Hilliard suffered "a little lull" during camp but since "got back into the groove." That has the team excited about the possibilities.

"If I'm preparing to play the Giants, I think about the two people I'm going to try to take away [in the passing game]: It's [Jeremy] Shockey and [Amani] Toomer," Collins said. "So that's going to leave Ike with some opportunities."

Hilliard, 27, seems to have come full circle in his relationship with Fassel. The two were fast friends in 1997, when each was in his first season, but they were on the outs by 2001, when Hilliard angered the team by delaying surgery on his right big toe. "We've ironed that out," said Hilliard, who offered a blanket apology to anyone he has "offended" over the years. Said Hilliard, "Some people are probably still mad at me."

If so, none appears to be employed by the Giants. Said Collins: "I think Ike is a great player."
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