DC.COM Blog: "Sticky Micky" Showing Off His Hands

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by jellis at 8/1/2009 12:29 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com

After tallying just eight interceptions last year, the Cowboys knew they needed to address their defense's ability to come away with turnovers.

One way to do it was to bring in guys who can catch. All three of the defensive backs they drafted showed that ability in college. Cornerbacks Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith had 14 and 12 interceptions during their Cincinnati Bearcats careers, respectively, and safety Mike Hamlin had 14 himself at Clemson.

One of those guys is making an impression with his hands already, Mickens, who made an interception for the second practice in a row Saturday morning, cutting in front of Patrick Crayton on a dig route and going the other way with the ball.

Up in the press box the nickname Sticky Micky was thrown out there. Not sure that one will last - in fact I hope not, because I came up with it and I have to admit it's not my best effort.

Wade Phillips is one person impressed by Mickens' ability to catch the ball, though. He made quite a comparison yesterday.

"He's got great hands," Phillips said. "Everson Walls kind of hands. I envision him being able to make plays like that because once he gets there he's got a chance to catch it."

Walls led the Cowboys in interceptions five times, and had an NFL rookie record 11 picks in 1981. If the Cowboys could get half that out of Mickens it would be a heck of a season for the seventh-rounder.

 

[Hoofbite]

Sticky Micky sucks.

I'd go with Pickens Mickens.

Does every player really need a nickname though?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Sticky Micky sucks.

I'd go with Pickens Mickens.

Does every player really need a nickname though?

Mike Pick'ems sounds better

 

[NextGenBoys]

Sticky Micky sucks.

I'd go with Pickens Mickens.

Does every player really need a nickname though?

Pickens Mickens...nice.

 

[CATCH17]

Everyone has to have a nickname huh?

 

[Asklesko]

Doesn't Sticky Mickey already belong to Mickey Spagnola?

 

[sureletsrace]

Call him Pick-six-Mick.

 

[Faerluna]

When I hear "sticky mickey" the first thing I think of is not a good WR.

Different nickname, please. :

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I remember TC back in '81 when 2 rookies were making a big impression on everyone. It was Everson Walls and Michael Downs. I remember watching a pre-season game one Saturday evening and the announcers talking about this rookie from Grambling everyone was talking about.

Hard to believe that's been 28 years ago!

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Doesn't Sticky Mickey already belong to Mickey Spagnola?

I was thinking the same thing because he seems like a lonely man. :

 

[5Stars]

I was thinking the same thing because he seems like a lonely man. :

I see what you did there....


Shame on you




:laugh2:

 

[Manster68]

I'm all for waiting for some NFL production before giving out nicknames.

Anyways, if Mike Mickens gets any of those nicknames, I hope he truly earns them.

Kinda like Aaron Mitchell back in 1980. He had the nickname "AM/PM". Unfortunately, he lasted on one season in Dallas. There was a reason for it.

 

[ctalker]

Excited about this guy. Seems like we haven't had a ball hawking DB since Deon, not that I am comparing him to Deon. Altough, I guess his speed is the main concern with him. If so, hopefully he can get with a speed/conditioning trainer to impove on that in the off season.

The training camp reports seem to be a lot better on him when compared to Mike Jenkin's rookie year, last year. MJ seems to have made huge strides since then, so hopefully Mickens can do the same thing next year.

 

[big dog cowboy]

After tallying just eight interceptions last year, the Cowboys knew they needed to address their defense's ability to come away with turnovers.

That is just pathetic.

 

[Manster68]

That is just pathetic.

I just cannot seem to get over that either Big Dog.

Eight picks only!?

If that was half way through the season I could accept that. Especially with all the sacks the Cowboys accumulated.

Granted, if Dallas' interception total increases (and it sure as heck better), then the sack total will likely decrease - as interceptions are turnovers, and turnovers puts the offense back on the field, which means less plays for the defense.

 

[theogt]

Mike Mickens is a player. I was absolutely not watching for the guy at all -- didn't know his number and couldn't pick him out from a crowd -- and he just kept popping out at me. He had more PBs/INTs of anyone I saw on defense. I knew his number by the end of the weekend.