Receiver Hakeem Nicks has won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants and played in last season's AFC championship game with the Indianapolis Colts.
Nicks is now preparing for his first season with the Tennessee Titans and was a guest Wednesday afternoon on "Press Row" on ESPN 105.1 FM. The Titans open their preseason schedule Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome.
Q: You were a first-round pick in 2009, but do you feel old on an offense with Marcus Mariota, Bishop Sankey, Chance Warmack and Taylor Lewan?
A: "I don't feel old. I just turned 27 at the beginning of the year, but I do feel like I have a lot of experience under my belt. I came in young and played right away, and I think because of that, guys look up to me a little bit."
Q: Do you see the youth of the Titans being an advantage or disadvantage?
A: "I think it will serve to our advantage. We do have a bunch of young guys, but that means that they're going to be playing fast. They're healthy, and we've just got to play together as a team within Coach (Ken) Whisenhunt's system."
Q: You've worked with Eli Manning and Andrew Luck. Are you already seeing some similar traits in Mariota?
A: "He's young, but he has come in there and shown great composure and great athletic ability. He's been making all types of throws that need to be made, so I definitely see glimpses of great attributes."
Q: Are you surprised he hasn't thrown any interceptions yet?
A: "I'm actually not surprised, because he goes through the progressions pretty well. He knows where everybody is, and that makes it easier for him. He studies hard. He's always watching film, and he's always going over scripts. He puts the ball right there. All we have to do is show up."
Q: How has rookie receiver Dorial Green-Beckham looked so far?
A: "He has all the physical ability. He's working hard to get better every day, but his skill set is definitely a plus for this offense."
Q: The Titans have added a lot of receivers in the offseason. How do you all expect to fit in?
A: "We all have different attributes that we bring to the game, and Coach Whisenhunt has figured us all out. He knows what we do best."
Q: Several guys 30 and younger have decided to retire from the NFL. Do you think that trend will grow?
A: "I don't think about that at all, to be honest with you. Some guys have different agendas. I see myself playing well into my 30s unless the man above says something different. I see myself playing into my mid-30s at least, so I'm not thinking about retiring."
Q: North Carolina acknowledged that you received impermissible benefits while you were there. How do you look back at that time in your career?
A: "I was gone before that stuff came up. My name just kind of got mixed in with it. It was more of the academic side that they tried to tie me into, but I cherish my moments at Carolina, and I wouldn't change anything for the world. Butch Davis and those guys are great coaches, and they made me into what I am today. I learned a lot from them, and they got me prepared for the NFL. I don't have any negative feelings to say about that situation."
Q: Can you tell this early in a season if a team is going to be any good?
A: "I think that takes a little down the road. After the preseason games, you kind of have a feeling of how you're going to start, but you never know how you're going to end until the middle of the season. You want to play your best football in November and December, but injuries can play a factor."
Q: Turning to our rapid fire, who did you want to defeat most when you were at UNC?
A: "N.C. State."
Q: How often do you wear your Super Bowl ring?
A: "I haven't worn it in a while. I think the last time a wore it was for a red-carpet dinner maybe a year or two ago. I'm working on my next ring. I want another one."
Q: What is your favorite catch so far of your NFL career?
A: "Probably the Hail Mary before halftime at Green Bay in the playoffs."
Q: Where is your favorite place to play?
A: "Dallas."
Q: Who is someone on the Titans' roster who no one is talking about but should be?
A: "I like Dexter McCluster. I like the way he's not scared to stick his head in there and block on blitzes."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.