Bucs Negotiate Settlement With Carl Nicks
July 25th, 2014
There’s a reason Carl Nicks hasn’t reported to training camp.
Agents, lawyers and team officials have been finalizing the end of Nicks’ Tampa Bay career behind the scenes. And now it’s over.
The Bucs announced the move this evening. Nicks appears to be retiring from football, saying he will “step away from the game.”
FOXSports.com reported seven months ago that Nicks was getting conflicting medical opinions and may never be able regain his Pro Bowl form following multiple foot surgeries, one for a serious turf-toe-like condition in 2012, and then one last year for a MRSA infection.
There was hope for Nicks would be playing season, especially after Lovie Smith told reporters last month that Nicks passed his physical and was expected to be healthy and ready for training camp. Just this week, on Wednesday, Bucs general manager Jason Licht said Nicks had lost weight and was progressing and expected to report to camp yesterday. But Nicks was granted an excused absence at the 11th hour by Bucs officials.
Per last year’s FOX report, Nicks is slated to earn $7 million in base salary in 2014, $6 million of which is guaranteed for injury only.
But how is “injury” defined? Especially, when a guy had a surgery related to MRSA, which he could have contracted anywhere?
That gray area between healthy and unhealthy is likely what prompted Nicks and Bucs to enter into talks and a deal today. Nicks told Joe and other reporters last year that his initial surgery left him with a lifetime of chronic pain and the only question was how he would be able to manage it.
Joe certainly can’t blame Nicks for not wanting to test his foot under the rigors of NFL football, especially if he might only be able to play at, say, 80 percent of what he once was.
Regardless, the Carl Nicks era is over, further highlighting the question marks on the Bucs’ offensive line.
“I know this has been a difficult time for Carl and his family, but we respect his decision and thank him for his effort in trying to get back on the football field,” said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. “Carl is a very prideful athlete and has been an elite level guard in the league. We are all disappointed that he will not be a part of this new chapter of Buccaneers football.”
July 25th, 2014 at 5:00 pm
About as surprising as PFT reporting how the browns are “alarmed” by your boy Jonathon Manziel and how he’s regressed as OTA’s went on because he wasn’t diligent enough in his work
July 25th, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Wow, so much for so little. It is what it is. Time to move on. Best wishes Carl.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Knew that was coming. I don’t see how Licht is comfortable with who he is going to start at the guard positions. Sure do wish we had Zuttah right about now.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Wonder how much against the cap
July 25th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Big blow but wish the guy the best.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Maybe we can do a trade back and just give the Ravens our 5th for Zuttah lol
July 25th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Add Nicks to your bottom 20 list.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Thanks for the info. I was hoping this would happen sooner.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Joe,
Not to say I told you so yesterday, but I told you so yesterday. My ears perked up and I asked why no one pushed on the “personal reasons” BS line. Joe was confident it was personal in nature.
Incorrect. Umm, how is personal injury and retirement not personal reasons.–Joe
End of the day, not a big deal. It’s not like Nicks was going to be able to get out to block for screens.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:07 pm
So did he retire because he isn’t right or did he just get released?
July 25th, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Next domino to fall as a result of the financial settlement with Nicks: McCoy contract extension.
Watch for it.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Man, was I waaaaaay off on this one. I took what Lovie and Licht said about him to heart, so I thought he would play this season. Someone called me deluded for saying that, and it was a good call on there part lol. Whatever, glad the mess is over. Our guard position looks a little more bleak now. Would be great if we could pick up a veteran during cuts.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Who in there right mind thought he was going to play this year? Are you freaking kidding me? We got a left that’s never played even half a season yet and who next to him? Wow.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Dear Mark Dominik:
I want to thank you and my big toe would like to thank you for the wonderful retirement bonanza that you have provided for me.
Appreciate the contract. I will forever be grateful to you.
If your ESPN gig doesn’t work out, you can pilot my fishing boat any day.
Your friend always
Captain Carl Nicks
Fisherman
July 25th, 2014 at 5:11 pm
Lol ^
July 25th, 2014 at 5:13 pm
@ Joseph Mamma
Me. I bought the BS that Lovie and Licht were selling. Just listening to them you would think the guy was in for a pro bowl year. facepalm.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Don’t think the Bucs are suprised by this in the least and still think the offensive line is where they expect it be. I don’t think Lovie or Licht were caught off guard.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Joe,
Quite right. “Personal reasons” can mean many, many things. Exactly the reason why I questioned why no media member asked the Bucs for clarification on what that phrase meant yesterday. Football – related injury / family illness, etc.
No one in the media asked, and your response was:
“BC:
It is family related”
Pretty certain everyone would interpret that not as “Carl is considering with his family whether he will retire or play”, but as “he is tending to an issue of someone in his family”.
Not trying to single you out, but I was amazed at how the media let the Bucs off the hook yesterday without more clarifying information. Or at least asking for it.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Forget *adding* Nicks to your worst 20 list, he’s number 1.
How does Mark Dominik have a job at ESPN again?
July 25th, 2014 at 5:20 pm
Same reason Stephen A. Smiff has one? They’re garbage mongers.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:21 pm
He said, “I’m stepping away from the game.”
July 25th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Forget about Zuttah, if L&L thought it was worth keeping Zuttah would still be here. Obviously the best we could get for Zuttah was a 5th rd pick in 2015 from the Ravens. If he was worth much more than that we would have kept him or we would have got more in a trade. L&L kept who they wanted. Zuttah was not on that list. Good enough for me.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Lol “stepping”
July 25th, 2014 at 5:23 pm
They can ask all they want but The Bucs were never going to tell us anything.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:25 pm
It’s a shame really because I’m sure the guy wanted to play for years to come.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
Dang. The guy loses his career and you all pile on? I was fired up when we signed him. He gets MRSA and you all blame him and Dominik? He never missed a game as a saint I don’t think. This is lose-lose but don’t see anyone at fault.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
Yeah It’s Me- …and the rookie GM is never wrong.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I’m sure Nicks can handle the piling on w the millions he limped away with
July 25th, 2014 at 5:28 pm
Joe, do you know how much of his 7 mil will count against the cap with this “mutual” split?
July 25th, 2014 at 5:28 pm
Wish him the best.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Carl, hope you enjoy your retirement! I expect the Bucs will be looking for another guard now. If we can’t find one play Chase Daniels at LG and Meredith at RG and we will still be OK!
July 25th, 2014 at 5:35 pm
No.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:37 pm
That sucks. We need guards bad now!
July 25th, 2014 at 5:39 pm
Please explain in great detail why a guy like Lovie would ever sign such a dirtbag? Look, Lovie got rid of a guy who had a mattress for a lawn ornament for crying out loud.
July 25th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
when he said he wanted to go fishing during ota’s……… while the rest of the team was working…..
July 25th, 2014 at 5:51 pm
bummer… well at least this definitively opens his position up. We just gotta hope one of the young guys can take advantage of this opportunity.
*fingers crossed*
July 25th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Huge bummer but I can’t say I’m surprised. I don’t think there’s been any good news about him since he got injured.
July 25th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Trade for alex Boone
July 25th, 2014 at 6:11 pm
Who needs Carll Nicks?…..after all, we went 4-12 without him and 0-2 last year against the Saints with the great intel he provided.
I guess “Toes on the line” prooved too difficult.
All seriousness aside….I wish Carl well. Surely, we knew what we were doing when we let Zuttah go. I hope we have just a bit of cap space left to pick up another serviceable guard.
July 25th, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Rick Stroud just tweeted that his tweet of yesterday was a typo, he meant to say “Carl Nicks was seen running from Bucs Place’, not “running at Bucs Place”.
July 25th, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Can’t really blame anyone including Dominick.
Sometimes unforseen bad things happen.
Just like with Gaines Adams and his heart condition. Nobody to blame for thst one either.
Move on. Next guy up.
July 25th, 2014 at 6:30 pm
“Please explain in great detail why a guy like Lovie would ever sign such a dirtbag?”
@ Joe
Desperate situations sometimes cause desperate measures. That said hopefully Lovie and Licht aren’t that desperate to consider opening that door.
July 25th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Thanks for nothing Carl. Enjoy the ribs.
July 25th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Joe
Another unknown now known for now.
How does this open his slot for another player, is he released or retired or what?
July 25th, 2014 at 6:40 pm
” I took what Lovie and Licht said about him to heart, so I thought he would play this season…”
Don’t beat yourself up Andrew 1, you won’t be alone if MGM ends up beating out McCown for the starting QB spot that Lovie allegedly brought in McCown to be. Couldn’t resist prodding the McCown/Glennon has no shot at starting barring injury Mob a little 🙂
BTW Andrew props for taking the feast of crow like a man and owning up to it, many would either slink away with their tail between their legs or change their screen name.
July 25th, 2014 at 6:41 pm
Licht has to have a contingency plan. There is no way this should have been the 800lb gorilla in the room. The writing has been on the wall for awhile. This is exactly what got Dominik and Schiano in trouble last year.
If we had that third pick to do again maybe we would have selected a big OG like Gabe Jackson? Just a thought???
July 25th, 2014 at 6:44 pm
For those clowns blaming Mark Dominik for Nicks’ injury or contract, get lost with your Monday morning quarterbacking. You didn’t complain when we signed this Pro Bowl guard so shut your pie holes now. You should be a GM and my financial advisor as well since you can see into the future. Go to a cooking blog or something.
July 25th, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Heard somewhere else, cant really recall the site, but, the 7 million will turn to six, injury/retirement jargon. But, said the Bucs werent responsible for it and would, or had, reached an agreed settlement. While I wish Carl Nicks well, it would have been nice to replicate the Doug Martin showcase, right up big number 77 ars one more time. Bring on the camp meat and see what comes of TRUE competition May the best bigun win it and take ownership of the position. I;m still jacked as hell for pads and poppin at the first live practice, gonna be the D of old V the new and improved DUNKaneers. GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 25th, 2014 at 6:49 pm
Personally, I felt his career was over after his initial operation, pre MRSA. That is one heck of an operation and to put such excess weight on it would probably have been impossible. Unfortunately he then contracted MRSA. It’s time to part ways, put it behind us. No more cloaking his situation behind anything the front office or coaching staff would tell us. Wish him all the best, but that was one unfortunate free agent signing for the Bucs.
July 25th, 2014 at 7:05 pm
Not supprised just dissapointed. Wish him the best buuuttt… Do we hsvr to rrvisit the most dissapointing Buc’s signings again? I think we may have a new #1
July 25th, 2014 at 7:37 pm
BC Says:
July 25th, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Next domino to fall as a result of the financial settlement with Nicks: McCoy contract extension.
Watch for it.
________________________
You’re freaking me out, man.
July 25th, 2014 at 7:39 pm
Lehighbucsfan Says:
July 25th, 2014 at 7:05 pm
I think we may have a new #1
____________________________________
Joe said players are not penalized for injuries.
Although given the number of snaps he actually played and the fortune he was paid, yeah, maybe he is #1.
July 25th, 2014 at 8:05 pm
Big Ups to Carl Nicks for negotiating a settlement.
Mad respect big man..you handled the move w/ CLASS and INTEGRITY. Sh#t happens, wish you and your family the best in all your future endeavors.
We appreciate the cap space. Now lets get GMC contract extension done( free up more money)+trade for RG Alex Boone/LG Evan Mathis. So I can pay for this bad a$$ suite in Scottsdale.
LETS GO!!!
July 25th, 2014 at 8:24 pm
If he retired, I don’t think any of it counts against the Buccaneers cap. There was likely an injury settlement though.
July 25th, 2014 at 8:43 pm
@ ToesOnTheLine
Man, If I strike out on the McCown over Glennon thing, I’m done! lol. I will no longer make predictions of any kind. That one I’m 100% sure about. We’ll see.
July 25th, 2014 at 10:31 pm
You know what? Lick your wounds and go on. Sometimes your the bug, sometime your the windshield. we have Alvin Harper Jr now in Bucs history. you built thru the draft and spinrkle in vets. We have an open roster spot, and have to take a cap hit.
July 26th, 2014 at 7:46 am
Ever wonder what it would be like if the Bucs ever spent all of the salary cap on viable football players like the other teams in their division?
This latest move doesn’t free up any cap money, it only frees up a roster spot.
If McCoy re-signs, he’ll have to take a 25% pay cut. The best DT signed for $11 million a year.