The Value Of Carl Nicks
February 11th, 2013
One could make an argument that the signing of All-Pro guard Carl Nicks by Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik was just as good as signing Vincent Jackson. Nicks not only solidified the Bucs’ offensive line, the roadgrader proved to be able to clear paths for running back Doug Martin.
Until Nicks went down with an ugly toe injury (Joe saw that toe, and it was gross, twice the size of his normal toe and red as a cherry, Joe cannot believe Nicks played a handful of games on it), he was stout.
Now Joe has gone on record saying front seven coach Bryan Cox and offensive line coach Bob Bostad did the best jobs for head coach Greg Schiano last year. Bostad juggled an offensive line crippled by injuries and still got good production out of backups and guys playing in new positions.
But hold up, says the Custodian of Canton, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune. He crunched numbers and came to the conclusion the Bucs sorely missed Nicks and his sore toe.
@IKaufmanTBO: The Bucs averaged 26.3 points in the 7 games started by G Carl Nicks and 22.8 PPG after he was sidelined with a toe injury. Big difference.
This happened, in part, because right guard Jamon Meredith got worked over and right tackle Demar Dotson was, at times, shaky run blocking.
Yes, with a healthy Davin Joseph, Nicks, Jeremy Zuttah playing in his normal center position, and perhaps a middling free agent or high draft pick at right tackle, the Bucs could have a dominating front wall.
February 11th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
anyone hear any news on how Nick’s recovery is going??? It was nice to hear that Clayborn is doing well.
February 11th, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Joe, I am a big Legarrette Blount fan. I have visions of Legarrette coming in when defenses are tired from Doug Martin, running behind big holes created by Nicks and Joseph. Why dont they give him any touches what so ever?
February 11th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
Blunt:
Don’t think coaches are sold on him. Otherwise, he would have had more carries.
February 11th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
tmaxcon:
All systems go for Nicks at this point.
February 11th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
Now that you see those numbers, you really did miss Nicks playing. How many games did we lose by 4 or less points?
February 11th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Just posted this a minute ago before i saw this article: Make CB SEAN SMITH key FA signing. Draft OT LANE JOHNSON at 13. Immediate RT and future LT. Trade 2nd and one 4th round pick to jump back into 1st rd, select CB XAVIER RHODES. 2 6’2 starting CB’s and a starting tackle. 1. T Lane Johnson 1. CB Xavier Rhodes 3. FS Jonathon Cyprien 4. WR Markus Wheaton
Could that be a possibility Joe?
February 11th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
This is why I have no problem with them drafting DJ Fluker in the 1st if they trade back from #13 for an extra pick and get him around #20. But if Eric Fisher is still sitting there at #13, get him. Try Penn at RT…I think he could handle it.
February 11th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Toe and foot injuries on big guys scare me to death. Glad to hear his rehab is going well. Just hope this doesnt become a chronic problem..healthy this is a deadly o-line. Cant imagine the bucs using a first round pick on a RT. More likely second or third rounder
February 11th, 2013 at 6:39 pm
I say nicks was a puss for sittin out!!!!!!! com on man!!!!!!!!!!
February 11th, 2013 at 6:49 pm
Nicks is a monster, one of the biggest players I’ve ever seen on a football field. I hope he’s ready to roll in 2013, because if he stays healthy all season, the Bucs will be in the playoffs.
February 11th, 2013 at 7:14 pm
Very good post Mr. Joe, on Mr. Nicks, who seems to be a pros -pro
February 11th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
Jj you clearly must not have seen his toe. I think you should look up what toes job responsibilies are. He is 300 plus when he blocks he digs in the ground. I don’t think you can talk about toughness when was the last time you had an athletic 300 pounder charging you on a bad toe? Don’t worry I’ll wait on that answer……….
February 11th, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Kudos!!! @ jacko101
February 11th, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Draft RT in the firs round plz… DOM! DBs are deep in this year draft.
February 11th, 2013 at 10:49 pm
Good job Jacko, not to mention how Nicks was still remaining dominant with injury consistently road grading nose tackles and keeping Free up right
February 12th, 2013 at 1:03 am
Do not draft a OLineman in the first round pls
Defense defense defense!
February 12th, 2013 at 3:04 am
@ jj : clearly you are devoid of any medical knowledge. Toe injuries can be debilitating to people half his size, let alone a hunk of a man over 300 pounds. You scoff at him an ridicule him as being a woose when I doubt you have ever played any sport in college or professionally. If you have, please inform us.
I’m sorry but it just seems to me that your brains just spilled out of your mouth (expressed by your fingers typing). I just didn’t know it would back up that high.
I just hope the Big Boy(man) can come back strong and healthy.
February 12th, 2013 at 9:47 am
Carl Nicks is not only a mountain of a man, a “Buccaneer Man” he has the coolest demeanor of most the guys in the locker room. He’s someone you’d certainly feel comfortable sitting around shooting the breeze with.
His demeanor is a whole lot different than that of a Warren Sapp, but still he’s every bit the leader, and he is wise beyond his years.
February 12th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
all you have to do is look at all the crucial failures in situations where we needed one yard for a first down or TD, and the difference is pretty clear. considering just the blown goal-line sequences in losses in the second half of the year, you can see how a healthy joseph and nicks might have gotten us 2 to 3 more wins. when you consider what teams did to us late in games, even an extra first down or two might have won us some games we lost. if our OL stays healthy, i really think this can be a top 10 offense even if our QB doesn’t play like a top 10 QB
February 13th, 2013 at 2:50 am
According to NFL.com, The Bucs finished with the #9 offense this past season.