The high cost of top-tier offensive linemen is about to go up if Carl Nicks gets his way. Nicks, the New Orleans Saints free agent guard, said Tuesday on SiriusXM that he expects to receive far more than the fat contract Jahri Evans got two years ago.
Just how much money does he want?
The Saints signed guard Jahri Evans to a seven-year, $56 million deal in 2010. Nicks said on satellite radio today that he expects a bigger contract.
Thank God that wages in the NFL are staying far, far ahead of flat inflation rates.
At that price, you can pretty much write the St. Louis Rams out of the mix. Not even the savings realized from dumping or restructuring the last round of overpaid Rams offensive linemen would net enough money for a move like that. Of course, you can bet that some team will sign Nicks at that rate. The Seahawks and Cardinals both have more than $30 million in cap room, so Nicks' landing in the NFC West is a distinct possibility.
There's a lesson about the positional value of offensive linemen in Nicks' demand. Brought into the NFL as a fifth-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Nicks got his big break as a replacement for Jamar Nesbit that year.
First of all, Nicks wants left tackle money. Though a very good guard, no guard is worth left tackle money. Guards are a more replaceable commodity, players that smart teams cull from the middle rounds of the draft, or later. Nicks himself is a perfect example of why those players are essential.
As you can see from the chart of offensive linemen drafted during Fisher's time as a head coach, his teams have never drafted an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft. That does not mean they would pass on someone like Matt Kalil, but it shows that Fisher's teams understand the value of finding and developing linemen with their least expensive draft picks.
Fisher's teams did not spend big on free agent offensive linemen either, at least not that big. They signed center Kevin Mawae in 2006 to a $13 million deal, and guard Jake Scott was brought in to replace Jacob Bell for $19 million over four seasons, far less than the $36 million the Rams gave Bell that same year.
Nicks will probably get that kind of money. He can then live up to his promise delivered when the Saints won the Super Bowl to go to "mother fucking Disneyland." He might be able to buy a sizable chunk of the Magic Kingdom with that kind of cash.
0 recs | 38 comments
Ben Grubbs FTW
Brick Top - February 21, 2012
+1
As much as I like Nicks, and assuming Grubbs would want a contract similar to Dahl, no way is Nicks over twice as valuable as Grubbs. With the lack of cap flexibility of other teams, Grubbs makes way more sense to the Rams than Nicks.
mcihaelT - February 21, 2012
Ben Grubbs was a high round draft pick because he was damn well worth it. I would love nothing more than my Browns to sign him.
J. W. - February 21, 2012
Also speaking of Mid Round guys
I think Jeff Allen from Illinois could be a good guard in the NFL.
Brick Top - February 21, 2012
Get what the market will bear.
And teams pay too much. It’s driving up the price to park, eat and watch at the stadium. I could barely afford that for myself, not including family.
Mudsharktoo - February 21, 2012
With Additional
Draft picks, The Rams may want to consider Cordy Glen and Brandon Brooks
ValdezY - February 21, 2012
What additional picks would you be getting? Cleveland won’t pay two first rounders and I think you’d be suprised that the Skins won’t overpay either. The Browns got away with the Julio Jones trade last year because there was no rookie salary cap. Now that there is, the draft picks are worth more in talent, because they dont cost as much as veteran talent.
J. W. - February 21, 2012
i might be wrong but
i believe the rookie cap makes trade downs MORE possible because u dont have to invest alot of money into the picks.
Ram_Redemption - February 21, 2012
like teams being more willing to trade up for a guy they want
because they wont have to spend 50 million before he takes a snap like our sammy boy. i also heard the browns are interested in trading up. i would let the browns keep the 22 pick and get their 4th overall plus their first round next year, since it will be higher than 22.
Ram_Redemption - February 21, 2012
They had the new rookie wage scale last year.
That’s why Newton didn’t make anywhere near what Bradford made.
RamFan284 - February 21, 2012
Another trolling browns fan trying to pull the rug out from under us
dbcouver - February 22, 2012
What Is The Value Of A QB?
If you needed a QB and RGIII was available via trade, would you pull the trigger? I would! The bottom line is; Miami, Washington, Cleveland, Seattle, and Kansas City all need QB’s. Lie, cheat, and steal. Teams will do what they need to do to get a potential franchise QB. A 2nd and a third rounder for 2012 and a 1st rounder for 2013 is not too much to ask for.
ValdezY - February 22, 2012
Agree
Its like that song …“they smile in your face, all the time they want to take your place…back stabbers”…
fearsomefoursum - February 22, 2012
Why would anyone expect him to say anything else?
His value doesn’t go up simply because he announces that he wants a fat paycheck. You get what you get.
dbcouver - February 21, 2012
Disneyland's approximate worth is $35 billion, and that wouldn't even pay for electricity and utilities
So in other words, he’ll have to make slightly less than the redskins payed albert haynesworth
turpinforpresident - February 21, 2012
Van, who pissed in your Wheaties this morning?
Two front page posts today with cussing?
I don’t really mind, just wondering …
Midasknight - February 21, 2012
what was the other one? lol
Ram_Redemption - February 21, 2012
Random Ramsdom ...
… after the break
Midasknight - February 21, 2012
ooo got it. thanks
what do u think about us trading with the browns for their 4th overall, but instead of going for the 22nd, get next years 1overall from them since it will prolly be top 10
Ram_Redemption - February 21, 2012
I like it and I think it is more likely for the Browns to do because then they'll still have a 1st this year.
Swaps firsts this year, get their second and 4th this year and their 1st next year
Midasknight - February 21, 2012
Might be dreaming though. It is only 2 spots, but it is a franchise QB. Hard to know what's going on behind closed doors
Midasknight - February 21, 2012
They have to outbid redskins
So their price its whatever the skins offer plus one
Ram_Redemption - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Yea I was thinking the exact thing! I had to reiterate what was read! Van using profanity cracked me up & I’m all for it! Don’t worry fellas, its the fact that we won’t have to stress abt a head coach for a long time! If & after we sign cortland, id expect sum more “fuking” but on a more stern note uhm I think we can get more from cleveland that jus this years 4th & their 22nd! This is a qb we’re talkin bout not a nose tackle! Sidenote: this forum no wait this blog is for rams fans only so why the hell does everyone who does not rep ramnation find their way over way!? Curiousity had bit the bottom!
Boy Yottic - February 21, 2012 via mobile
At least he's honest about what he wants.
RAMpage28 - February 21, 2012
Wanting & getting are two different realities !
VETT - February 22, 2012
Did you really have to throw in the "MF", what are you in high school, geez
quartermidget - February 21, 2012
lol funny title
Cmoney243 - February 21, 2012
+10! Very facetious! And lighten up, its jus a word! Isn’t trying to offend ayone
Boy Yottic - February 21, 2012 via mobile
just saying...
Like to hear Ram’s news without the trash you hear high schoolers say when they congregate at Mcdonalds after school
quartermidget - February 21, 2012
Your observation is noted. This was a very rare instance, so please don't think it is any kind of shift from our normal grammatical tenor
Douglas M - February 21, 2012
oh, don't tempt me
The apprehension is testing my creative juices.
3k - February 21, 2012
And mine
Brick Top - February 21, 2012
then go read the goddam paper and leave us alone
dbcouver - February 22, 2012
I’m going to go baseball on everyone and compare this guy to Albert Pujols. Even though AP is going to make a google more. It’s just a big a waste of money. Whereever this guy lands he’s going to be a leech for thie salary cap. Watch the guy get hurt next year.
Also, I don’t have a big problem with MF in the titile. I’m a big boy and I can handle it. But, it isn’t remotely professional and takes credibility with it. I like this sight better than STLToday.com becasue they have way more to feed on. But I wouldn’t want my teenage son getting new vocabulary words from a bloger with no taste.
TRexRam - February 21, 2012
Who's Albert Pujols?
Midasknight - February 22, 2012
If you don't think your teenager knows the words Mother Fucker
then you are one of the most naive parents ever.
Brick Top - February 22, 2012
You're missing the point
Midasknight - February 22, 2012
Much ado for nothing if the Saints come to terms with Brees
Which would be in their best interest. The franchise tag would then still be free to use on the guard, preventing him from becoming the biggest new member of the Mickey Mouse club, which sucks.
I was looking forward to his introduction….“I’m mother fuckin Carl”
dbcouver - February 22, 2012
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