The New Orleans Saints had a powerhouse offense in 2011, but they will have many questions to answer in the offseason. Beyond hopefully securing star quarterback Drew Brees with a contract extension, the Saints will need to make decisions on their impending free agents while attempting to address deficiencies with their defense.
NFL Free Agency 2012: Carl Nicks Hopes To Make More Than Jahri Evans
Bill Hanstock is a writer, author and Emmy Award-winning producer. He began writing for SB Nation in 2011.
Dave Cariello of Canal Street Chronicles reports that New Orleans guard Carl Nicks recently appeared on Sirius radio and stated there have been no negotiations between him and the team. He also said that he has aspirations of becoming the highest-paid guard in the NFL, specifically mentioning that he would like his next contract to be worth more than the current contract of his teammate, Jahri Evans. Evans is currently signed to a seven-year, $56.7 million deal.
According to Ira Kaufman at Tampa Bay Online, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be one of the interested parties in Nicks, should the Saints fail to entice the guard with a new contract.
If the Saints don't slap the franchise tag on Nicks, Tampa Bay could be very interested in his services. He would fit in snugly at left guard, opposite Pro Bowl right guard Davin Joseph, and the Bucs could boast one of the premier offensive lines in the NFL, with Donald Penn and Jeremy Trueblood manning the tackle spots.
Signing Nicks wouldn't be a sexy move for a franchise that craves more attention, but he would give new offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan the tools up front to implement a dynamic offensive scheme.
Nicks’ statements certainly raise eyebrows. If he really wants a record-setting contract, he will be unlikely to receive it from the Saints. It then falls on New Orleans to decide whether or not to place the franchise tag on him.
For all news and information regarding the New Orleans Saints, please visit Canal Street Chronicles. For complete coverage of football free agency, stay tuned to SB Nation’s dedicated NFL hub.
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