Should Panthers trade Jonathan Stewart to Giants for Hakeem Nicks?
By Jason Marcum
If you read my piece yesterday on why the Carolina Panther should trade for New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks, you probably agree that it’s a deal that seems like it needs to get done if the the Panthers want to add a much-needed offensive weapon, while the Giants would be getting some compensation for a player they stand to get nothing for when he leaves via free agency next offseason.
Gil Brandt of NFL. com took it a step further in his piece today on five trades that need to be made prior to the NFL trade deadline in two weeks.
The first one he listed was the Giants trading Nicks to the Panthers in exchange foe running back Jonathan Stewart:
"Why it would make sense: Presuming Stewart, who started the season on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason ankle surgery, is fully healthy, this deal would help both teams. The Giants need running back help, and Stewart is still a relatively young guy (26) who did top 1,000 yards from scrimmage (including 1,133 rushing yards in 2009) in two of the past four seasons. The Panthers, meanwhile, could use a talented receiver like Nicks, who has the potential to give Cam Newton a great boost. While veteran Steve Smith would continue to be the No. 1 receiver in Carolina this season, the Panthers could likely convince Nicks that he would be the man in the future. Stewart, who has conceivably been made expendable by the resurgence of DeAngelo Williams (10th in the NFL with 394 rushing yards), could turn out to be the long-term answer for New York at running back. Trades are often easier to pull off when both parties have a prior relationship, which is why I could see a deal between the Panthers and the Giants actually happening. Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman came over from the Giants’ front office, and I’d imagine that he has a good working rapport with his former colleagues. Gettleman is a straight shooter and the Giants know that; they’d likely feel they could trust him regarding Stewart’s health."