Where are you located? If you get cold winters you are likely to get a good deal of die back. Try bending one of the 'sticks'. If it snaps it's dead and can be cut to the base. I should have thought they should be leafing out by now if alive, even in cold zones.

" Or if it was going ti happen, it should have by now and I need to remove these? "

Yes. If they were going to produce leaves or buds, they would have done so by now. Remove them by cutting as close to the base of the plant as possible.

Bigleaf hydrangeas - those that produce big mophead flowers - set flower buds in fall for next year's flowers. Pruning incorrectly or exposure to winter cold or late spring frosts can eliminate those buds. In climates below zone 7, winter protection for these shrubs is strongly suggested to maximize flowering on both old and new growth.