Just saw this article about Nicks; pretty good
 

Oh how that article gave me warm fuzzy feelings inside... :rolleyes: His expressed feelings have me just a tad bit worried

"I would love to stay, but it's also a good feeling to be wanted. So hopefully a lot of teams want me, but I would love to stay," said Nicks, who joined the rest of the Saints' starting linemen at the Super Bowl on Wednesday to accept the Prilosec OTC Madden Protectors Award for the second time in three years.

Then Stay Carl ! We Love ya.

It is good to be wanted, but exactly 'who' wants him is going to be a factor in his decision also ... if only the teams like the Rams, Vikings & Colts are looking at him, staying with the Saints suddenly becomes a lot more attractive ... these guys want their paydays, but deep down they want to win too. Hopefully, Nicks won't be drawn over to the 'dark-side' ...

Let the games begin, it comes down to whoever has the better poker face.

Be realistic -- if given the chance, Nicks is going to be gone for any team that offers him $1 more on payday than whatever the Saints offer.

Well I don't think it's really that simple, because there are hidden financial and mental costs involved for Nicks.

If it was really close with the open bids, I think he'd stay with the Saints even if they offered a little less. Because if he wouldn't, he would have to move to another area - perhaps buy a house, etc. - all of which will cost him and distract him from getting ready for next season.

Maybe I'm just being overtly optimistic...

He wants to stay. It's obvious. Let's hope we are able to keep him.

I think all this stuff just boils down to are these athlete's willing to play for possibly a crappy team in order to get a bigger payday or does being part of a winning organization mean more to them? Some guys don't mind getting their brains beat out game after game and some guys want to be part of something bigger.

Players gravitate towards winning organizations, you see it in the NHL, NBA, MLB and the NFL.