Carl Nicks has always lived in this shadow of his measly 5th round draft choice contract, playing alongside Jahri Evans, and not being a household name. Always, that is, until now. Nicks is finally getting the credit he deserves and PFF post this article praising him as THE BEST guard in the entire league. A long term extension has to be very high on the Saints’ offseason priority list once the lockout comes to a close. Nicks has always been respected as a solid run blocker, but I argue that he’s been underrated ever since he first came into the league. He shouldn’t be views as “solid”, he should be viewed as elite. Nicks is the kind of mauling force that gets power and push of the line like almost no other player in the NFL. You could make the argument that there is no better run blocker in the league. Logan Mankins is probably the only other player I would put in his class. Nicks has rounded out his game really well, too. Pass blocking used to be a liability, and I’d put him down as elite in that department now, too.
At this point I think…
we all need to start coming to terms with the fact that Carl Nicks is one of the very best, if not the best, the NFL has to offer. He’s been an underdog for too long and it’s time to recognize his contributions. The Saints were very fortunate to land this player and he’s done nothing but excel every single year. Playing alongside Jahri Evans is a brutal way to showcase your skills, but if anything Nicks outplayed Evans in 2010. Not only do the Saints have the best guard tandem in the NFL, they may have the best guard, period, and that guy may not be named Jahri Evans. Who would have thought two lower draft choices (Evans came in 4th, Nicks in 5th) would team up to create an elite interior line? It’s great to see a player that’s continually dominated finally getting his due.
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