Report: Saints Carl Nicks likely to leave New Orleans in Free Agency

by The_Black_Stripes on Jan 15, 2012 1:47 PM EST

As mentioned previously, the Saints likely cannot afford Nicks.

Not insulating the Bengals will sign him, but they certainly have more than plenty cap room and a major need at LG.

And now these reports confirm the belief I've held since the start of the season: That the Saints simply can't afford Nicks, and thus he will likely leave in Free Agency.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/15/nicks-expected-to-leave-new-orleans-in-free-agency/

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.

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This is a must sign in my opinion. Not only does this help resolve the issue at G, but also lets the team focus on drafting a solid CB and RB during the draft.

by Tampa_Bengal on Jan 15, 2012 2:54 PM EST reply actions

some starting caliber guard is needed

Maybe we get out bid for nicks, but they need to push hard for the top guards, and if that falls through get a player that can start.

by JCompton41 on Jan 15, 2012 4:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Could you imagine

If we some how signed him and DeCastro some how fell into lap. We’d be set for years

by biggie22 on Jan 15, 2012 2:55 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

We shoud have drafted him.

Imagine if we would have drafted him in the 5th round in 2008 instead of taking Jason Shirley, who only logged a few plays for us. A real miss for this staff, and are large scouting department.

by UCKicker on Jan 15, 2012 4:31 PM EST reply actions

and every other staff in the nfl.

by JCompton41 on Jan 15, 2012 4:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

thats making a point

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 15, 2012 8:51 PM EST up reply actions

Easy to say in hindsight

by Who dey in LA on Jan 15, 2012 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

Some people's hindsight

is just a lot stronger than others.

Try not to take the above message too seriously.

by einman77 on Jan 17, 2012 4:55 AM EST up reply actions

don't think about it

hurts too much.

We should have drafted.. oh gosh.. I actually put together a spreadsheet last night of who we’d have on the roster if we drafted the right guys. Just from 2004 on it’s scary. Guys like Aaron Rodgers, Maurice Jones-Drew, Wes Welker, Jared Allen, Troy Polamalu, Arian Foster, Antonio Gates, Darelle Revis, Bob Sanders, Lance Briggs, Vonta Leach..

Just throw in a few undrafted guys like Gates, Foster, and Welker. Pointless exercise, but you do see certain teams end up with guys like that. Just look at the Patriots. Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Danny Woodhead were all undrafted. Probably more on that team.

by indesignkat on Jan 17, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

Bengals have never competed for top guys like this.

by occams_tiger_teeth on Jan 15, 2012 6:32 PM EST reply actions

Antonio Bryant was a top WR free agent...

Not that it did anything good…

The amount of liquor I drank last night would've killed a small-to-medium sized Asian family.

by balooko31 on Jan 15, 2012 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

He was still the 2nd or 3rd best WR in that FA period, iirc.

Andy Dalton: An American Hero

by Pardon_My_French on Jan 16, 2012 1:00 AM EST up reply actions

Owens #1, Bryant #2...

We got both, or one, depending on how you look at it. In hindsight Brandon Lloyd and Kevin Walter were the best of the group.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/353679-2010-nfl-free-agency-top-fives-wide-receiver

The amount of liquor I drank last night would've killed a small-to-medium sized Asian family.

by balooko31 on Jan 16, 2012 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

top wr?

he was a mediocre receiver who was always hurt. He never, not once in his entire career, played a whole season.

by indesignkat on Jan 16, 2012 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

I never said he was good...

But he was easily one of the top 2 WR available that offseason (after a solid 1200+ yard season), making him a “top WR free agent” …

The amount of liquor I drank last night would've killed a small-to-medium sized Asian family.

by balooko31 on Jan 16, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

What are we waiting for

Break the bank!

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 15, 2012 8:50 PM EST reply actions

exactly

The only FA G (even those that we know will re-sign) that graded better than Nicks at ProFootballFocus was Evan Mathis, and there’s no chance in hell of getting him back.

by indesignkat on Jan 16, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions

im with you

With all the money we have to spend, and the dire need on offensive line, it makes all the sense in the world to pay him big.

by JCompton41 on Jan 16, 2012 9:49 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

This

I keep saying it, MB might be stingy, but he’s not an idiot. With the salary floor coming next year he’s not going to want to overpay for nothing, and he knows that’s what he’ll be doing if he waits. Further, the revenue in ticket sales, esp. that of club seats and licenses, that the hype from signing someone who fits like this would be undeniable.

I know people have thier doubts, but if there is ever a time when he is forced to roll out the red carpet, this is it. And at this point he’s allowed others to help him set the table. Whether it’s Nicks or some other bigtime FA that fits a huge need, I think he’s ready to change his ways in all kinds of ways.

Try not to take the above message too seriously.

by einman77 on Jan 17, 2012 5:01 AM EST up reply actions

plus he went hard for robert gallery last year

He would probably more inclined to go all out for Nicks who’s way better.

by JCompton41 on Jan 17, 2012 9:35 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I don't say this very often..........

pay the man!

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche

by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 15, 2012 9:15 PM EST reply actions

Sign Nicks and draft...

A guard, either DeCastro, Glenn, or Zeitler, and our line would be set.

by Bengal4ever on Jan 15, 2012 11:20 PM EST reply actions

Correction:

would be set for the next 4-5 years.

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche

by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 16, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

insinuating

Go Reds!
(and gooooo krogering)

by supergrover on Jan 16, 2012 6:52 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

Thanks - that's what I meant to type. Glad you caught that (was too lazy to correct)

by The_Black_Stripes on Jan 17, 2012 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

think of how good this line would be

Whit, Nicks, Cook, healthy Bobbie/Boling/Nix from pit, Andre. Easily find a back who can average more than 3.9 ypc behind that line.

by JCompton41 on Jan 16, 2012 9:53 AM EST via mobile reply actions

We have to spend the money on something, might as well be one of the top OG's in the game!

by DiddyGotGrillz on Jan 16, 2012 10:06 AM EST reply actions

I love watching Justin smith eat people yesterday. Damn I miss that guy.

Mikey still won’t spend big money but I’m hope I’m wrong

by njbengalstat on Jan 16, 2012 11:14 AM EST reply actions

It's funny to watch him play so well....and thinking back of all the people that absolutely DESPISED the guy.

I always thought he was highly productive. He wasn’t the pass rusher we hoped he would be in our scheme, but the guy made plays.

I remember getting into a huge fights with people over on the Bengals official message boards because he would have like 7 sacks all year (which after he left we would have killed for that production), but would have 80+ tackles. I LOVED that he was racking up that many tackles, but everyone would say “Yeah, but they’re 5 yards down field!” My response was always “someone has to make the tackle 5 yards down field.”

Glad he’s doing well with the Niners. He is a work horse and deserves everything he gets.

by DiddyGotGrillz on Jan 16, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

yea i don't think he was that good in our scheme

he did have a lot of tackles not that many sacks. But it did seem like he over persued a lot when Marvin was HC. So I don’t think he would be as productive here as he is in San Fransico.

Who knows with the line we have now, Smith could have still pro bowl numbers this year.

Overall, Im glad we got rid of him because I don’t think he really bought into our system towards the end of his career.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 16, 2012 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

I still just wear his jersey on Sunday. Whose else has a beer tattoo

by njbengalstat on Jan 16, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

LOL....

He is, hands down, the winner of worst white trash tattoos in the NFL.

by DiddyGotGrillz on Jan 16, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

Thats a mentality

Marvin will never get out of a player
Singletary and Harbuagh are so intense,you either get with the F’n program
or get the Fruck out.

Marvin’s more like,he’s a little mopey,grow some damn NUTZ!
sorry Marv,ive been waiting 9 years,the ol’softy routine needs to go

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 16, 2012 8:03 PM EST up reply actions

Please sign this guy

We have the money so lets do it.

The only thing that does worry me a little is that he wants to be highest paid guard in the league if so how would Whit feel that he was making more than him and how will it ultimately affect Andre Smith contract negotions next year.

by biggie22 on Jan 16, 2012 12:15 PM EST reply actions

Jahri Evans is currently the highest paid guard in the NFL, and he averages a base salary of $8.1M per season

Making Nicks the highest paid OG in the NFL would require an average salary in the $8.5-$9.0M range, imo. By comparison, Whitworth’s contract – which was just extended through the 2015 season prior to the start of this past season’s training camp – will average approximately $10M per season (at least over the final two seasons of the deal). In other words, even is Nicks were to be made the highest paid OG in the league, he would still be making approximately $1M or so LESS than Big Whit! No feathers would be ruffled with Whitworth, at least. I agree that a potential Nicks contract could affect Big Andre’s renegotiation after next season, but, again, were talking Tackle contracts vs. OG contracts.

Moreover, and most importantly (at least to agents) is the guaranteed money in any contract offer. Aside from Nicks’ desire to be the highest paid guard in the NFL, his agent wants to ensure that the contract includes the most guaranteed dollars. This is where the Bengals may have an advantage over other potential Nicks’ suitors by the simple fact that The Quitter’s contract is off the books. The Bengals were due to pay The Quitter $11.5M in 2012, $13.0M in 2013, and $14.0M in 2014. That equals $38.5M dollars that MB had already budgeted as “player salary”. Of this $38.5M that would have been due to The Quitter, I would take $35M of that and offer that as the “guaranteed money” portion of the Nicks contract offer. I say $35M in guaranteed money, because this would ensure Nicks’ (and his agent) more guaranteed money than Jahri Evans’ guaranteed money contained in his contract extension with the Saints (which was close to $30M I believe).

by The_Black_Stripes on Jan 17, 2012 12:20 PM EST up reply actions

Dude - Awesome breakdown!!!

Thanks for the info. I really hope they make an effort to sign him

by biggie22 on Jan 17, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

No problem!

We are all huge fans of our beloved Bengals, that’s why I hope they make an effort, too.

Should be an exciting offseason. Can’t wait til March 13th!!

by The_Black_Stripes on Jan 17, 2012 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry

but I just don’t see the Bengals making this big a splash in FA – cap space or not. If we could not outbid the Texans last year for a player who had been with us for a few years, what are the chances we get someone like Nicks? True, the Saints may not be able to pay him, but there are other teams that will. I would be very very surprised if its the Bengals.

by OhWell on Jan 16, 2012 12:35 PM EST reply actions

We offered JJ the same money - HE chose HOU.

by DiddyGotGrillz on Jan 16, 2012 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

yea i think the houston deal had a few more million dollars garenteed

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 16, 2012 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Bengals unlikely to sign him...nuff said.

by goffchile on Jan 16, 2012 7:09 PM EST reply actions

unfortunately your right

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 16, 2012 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

Simply put, I agree.....

we could sign him, we should sign him, we have the money to sign him…….but he’ll cost too much for us. Would love us to break the bank, but we won’t get the top tier guy most likely at any position. We’ll sign our own guys back and maybe get a 2nd tier G/WR and then address through the draft. Smaller market teams almost never address needs through top Free Agents.

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche

by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 17, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

New Orleans - a small market team - built a SuperBowl championship team and has been one of the best teams in the NFL over the past 4-5 seasons thanks, in large part, to Free Agency

QB (most important position in all of professional sports) – acquired via Free Agency with a huge contract (and Brees was coming off MAJOR shoulder surgery).

They also just signed Darren Sproles as an UFA this past off season, and he just set the NFL’s all-time single season all purpose yards record.

Even though the Saints defense was gorrible this past season, two key contributors on their SB winnign team were acquired through Free agency/Trades (Darren Sharper = 9 INTs in SB winning 2009 season and MLB Jonathan Vilma was the leader of that SB winnign defense.

While it is true that a team builds through the Draft (just look at the Steelers, Ravens, etc), Free Agency – when used properly by identifying key players a team wants to target – can be an effective tool to add necessary components to the roster.

The Draft is always best, but a few, key additions can be made via FA whcih can really help a team (look at the game Giants LB Michael Boley had against the Packers on Sunday – 2 sacks, other pressures, 8 tackles. Boley was signed as an UFA this past offseason. He has been a very solid piece to the team puzzle which was added via FA).

Other small market team to address needs in FA include:

Green Bay (reggie white, all the way back in 1992, but more recently, Charles Woodson).
Minnesota: All-Pro DE Jared Allen, former 4 time All-Pro Offensive Guard Steve Hutchinson.

Other than that, there are not too many other teams in the NFL who are located in smaller markets than Cincinnati (which is currently the 27h largest metropolis according to the 20101 census). Pittsburgh, of course is very similar market-wise, but as mentioned above, they generally build through the draft, which, again, is best proven method of building a team. However, very nice pieces can certainly be added via UFA. Just look at the Saints!

by The_Black_Stripes on Jan 17, 2012 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

Dallas will probably be a good canidate to get Nicks

they will have to make some room but they definately need help on the OL

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 17, 2012 9:21 AM EST reply actions

I'm all for signing him

The only thing they have to be careful about is making sure the set it up so will be able to account for the group of young studs we are going to have to be resigning in about 3 to 4 years, assuming they all keep progressing. Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, Andy Dalton, and AJ Green are going to be demanding big money so we just need to structure it wisely so we will be able to retain these guys as well

by biggie22 on Jan 17, 2012 11:19 AM EST reply actions