Saints Nicks probably won't stay

[nctarheel0619]

New Orleans Saints guard Carl Nicks says he hopes to stay but doesn't expect it

With his free agency countdown clock now under 24 hours, New Orleans Saints guard Carl Nicks continued to insist Monday that he would love to stay with the Saints but expects to leave. Nicks said he remains disappointed that the team hasn't made any contract offers or serious attempts to keep him.

Nicks, who turns 27 in May, said his goal is to become the highest-paid guard in NFL history, passing the $8.5 million per year of New England's Logan Mankins. But Nicks also hinted that he might consider taking less money to stay with the Saints.

At the very least, he wants to have that choice.

"From my understanding, they think they can't afford me, and they didn't want to throw out a number that was disrespectful, I guess," Nicks said of the Saints, who have talked briefly with his agent Ben Dogra but not to Nicks directly this offseason. "In a lot of regards I can understand that. It makes sense, But I also feel like any kind of offer is better than no kind of offer. I think it's more disrespectful to not even offer me. At least try."

The Saints have not offered any insight into their plans for Nicks, but they obviously can't afford to overspend for any of their free agents this offseason. They were $6.55 million under the salary cap last week, according to a league source, with several key free agents still unsigned.

Likely, they will be interested in bringing Nicks back only if he comes at a price tag they think makes sense both in the short term and long term. That means if a bidding war ensues on the open market, they'll be out. But if he doesn't get the kind of offers he's hoping for early, the Saints could enter the bidding.

Nicks, however, has made it clear that he wanted to hear from the Saints sooner.

"I know I've said I want to be paid a certan amount, but at the end of the day I said I want to be back with the Saints, and I'm waiting on any kind of offer," Nicks said. "My goal is to get more than ($8.5 million per year). I feel like I deserve that. But I never told them, 'If you guys are in the ball park, I wouldn't consider it.' I play with Drew Brees. We always have a chance to win. That counts for a lot."

Nicks said his close relationship with teammates like guard Jahri Evans and offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod also counts for a lot. Nicks said he has been hanging out with them in recent days while spending time in New Orleans - in part to let the Saints know he's in town and ready to visit with them.

"Jahri and Jermon have been trying to push me to stay, telling me to go talk to them, pretty much saying anything," Nicks said. "That means a lot. I really love those guys. It's difficult right now."

At the same time, Nicks said he'll be prepared to hop on a plane and go visit a team once the free agency window opens Tuesday at 3 p.m. central time - assuming that's how it works. He said he really doesn't know what to expect.

"I don't know anything about anything," said Nicks, who described himself as "super anxious and excited but a little nervous."

Nicks said he expects to have trouble sleeping tonight.

"I'll have to go to the movies or something," he said.

[nctarheel0619]

Also, Colston is close to finishing up his deal with the Katrinas.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/12/colston-saints-working-hard-to-finish-a-deal/

[Kevin Greene]

Nicks is a FA?

[PhillyB]

if they sign him breezus is good as gone, and vice versa.

i hope he stays and then has to block for some dipshit backup that charles johnson will snack on twice a year

[Chaos]

Go take in a film to distract yourself from the stress. I recommend a classic:

[Cat'sGrowl]

Also, Colston is close to finishing up his deal with the Katrinas.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/12/colston-saints-working-hard-to-finish-a-deal/

Sensible. He signs a deal now, he's likely to get a lot more than if he waits.

He's near the bottom of the list on a really deep, really good FA class. His market value isn't as high as what he's currently trying to squeeze out of the Saints while they're desperate and scrambling. Fact that Moss turned them down and Meachem won't be back only strengthens his position.

[IplayedCam#1317]

tl;dr

[Kuech Da Sneak]

"I don't know anything about anything," said Nicks.

Might be the most true words a saint* has ever said.

They will sorely miss him protecting their own version of the Imp.

[Cat'sGrowl]

tl;dr

This is only funny when you post it immediately. Twenty minutes after the thread has been posted just makes you look dumb.

[breezing2anotherSB]

Hello Pot, let me introduce you to kettle

ESPN.com news services

Nobody imagines that NFL locker rooms are drug free, but few would think that players on the best teams would be willing to risk their very lives to make it to the highest levels of the sport. That seems to be the case.

According to an investigative report posted on the Charlotte Observer's Web site on Sunday, a number of Carolina Panthers used a vast quantity and tremendous variety of performance-enhancing drugs during the team's 2004 Super Bowl season.

The newspaper looked at medical records and court documents released in conjunction with the federal steroids case against Dr. James Shortt, who last month was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for distributing steroids and human growth hormone.

"Several of [the players] were using disturbing, particularly alarmingly high amounts with high dosages for long durations -- some in combinations," said Dr. Gary Wadler, who prepared a report for the U.S. Attorney's Office that was used to prosecute Shortt. "This wasn't just a passing flirtation with these prohibited substances. When I see [prescriptions] 'renewed five times,' I say, 'What are you trying to accomplish?' "

Players' names were blacked out on Wadler's report, but the Observer reported that six Panthers -- and three of the five starting offensive linemen from the Super Bowl team -- were taking performance enhancers. And many reported adverse reactions.

Although studies have shown that steroids can affect blood flow and contribute to strokes and heart disease, one member of the Panthers ignored a family history of strokes and took the drugs anyway.

Another player complained of hair loss and shrunken testicles. Another was prescribed anti-estrogen drugs, which male steroid users ingest to prevent breast growth.

The Observer reported that two players were given prescriptions for a combined five substances banned by the NFL -- a week before the Panthers left Charlotte for the Super Bowl in Houston. Three of the substances -- injectable testosterone cypionate, the banned supplement androstenedione and the hormone DHEA -- had not been reported before.

Shortt reportedly also prescribed stanozolol and testosterone cream.

One player, who the Observer says was using HGH daily, received prescriptions from another doctor.

Wadler's report also reveals that two other NFL teams have ties to this particular steroid scandal. Two of the Panthers players received prescriptions for performance enhancers when they played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins, respectively.

Prosecutors have already identified two former Panthers -- defensive end John Milem and punter Todd Sauerbrun -- as part of their probe, but those players were not in Wadler's report.

Wadler told the Observer he worries about the players.

"There is no question I am concerned some of these drugs, when abused, will impact the long-term health of these athletes and manifest either in chronic illness, premature death or disability," he said. "These are not little minor medications that people are talking about. These are very substantial drugs."

[Krucid]

This is only funny when you post it immediately. Twenty minutes after the thread has been posted just makes you look dumb.

Actually, it's never funny. To lazy to read the post but not lazy enough to post tl;dr whenever people can. There is nothing humorous about it and I believe people do it to raise post count or just to get attention.

Of course this is all my opinion so fwiw.

[jasonluckydog]

lol, omg, tl;dr, ymiaw...

Sad little Saints fan.

[Reapuh]

Carl Nicks ‏ @bigbrickhouse77

Y'all know I keep it real on this. My agent told me the saints made me an offer and it is respectable...

Still need time to think and talk with my family

Yes...think it over 'till tomorrow and see what other offers comes your way..

[Frizzy350]

tl;dr

thank you for ur wonderful contribution to this thread. i find this quite insightful as well.

can u go back to the world of warcraft forums now?