Nicks view on the franchise tag...
 

Fans in New Orleans might want to listen up. Same for fans in Atlanta and Tampa Bay that have their eye on this guy in free agency.

In this Sirius NFL Radio interview with Jim Miller and Rich Gannon, Carl Nicks sounded like a man ready to explore free agency. The New Orleans guard said he hasn’t had any contract talks with the Saints.

“I haven’t talked to (general manager) Mickey (Loomis) at all,’’ said Nicks, who can become an unrestricted free agent on March 13.

Nicks wasn’t asked if his agent was in contact with the Saints. Nicks said he expects the Saints to first sign quarterback Drew Brees to a new deal. The Saints could put a franchise tag on Nicks for $9.4 million.

“I’ve heard a lot of rumors of the franchise tag, which is a lot of money,’’ Nicks said. “If you want to pay me, which I’m not a big fan of, what the franchise tag for an offensive lineman is worth, we might as well work on a deal.’’

Nicks isn’t the only member of the Saints that has a chance to be designated as a franchise player. If the tag isn’t used on Nicks or Brees, it could be used on wide receiver Marques Colston.

Nicks also may have been sending a bit of a message to the front office when asked how he would feel if he is hit with the franchise tag.

“Yes, I’d be upset if I got franchise tagged, straight up and down,’’ Nicks said.

Carl Nicks doesn't want franchise tag - NFC South Blog - ESPN

As would any player be upset. No long term security in the franchise tag. I agree with Nicks, if you are willing to do that then just work out a deal, otherwise it's better to part ways and let that player sign an extended contract.

Its a business and I'm a Saints fan.

If we can't get a deal done, or we need another year to structure something better, FRANCHISE his butt.

Be mad but play ball. Everyone almost lost this season due to the lock out and negotiations for salary so Francise Tag is still part of it.

They might want to just tag him for one additional year, so that they can groom his successor during that time, and then let him walk when the next FA period comes around.

$9.4M might seem a lot, but signing Nicks to a long term contract would be expensive and with a lot of guaranteed money packaged in, so the FO might be looking already to the future and figuring that this way they'll have some money to spend when f.e. Graham needs a new contract.

Sign Brees first, tag Nicks,{ he doesn't sound like a hometown discount is going to happen} sign Colston if anyway possible. The only problem I could see would be next year with Grahams contract looming and Nicks{if we tag him this year} they won't come cheap. Just a thought but what if we sign Nicks does anyone think Evans could be trade bait ?

Sorry big fella, can't risk you getting away for nothing. Thats what its there for. Pout all you want but when your franchised, sign your tender and give your team a chance to give you the money you deserve.

Ohhhh boo hoo you might have to make $10 million in a single year.

I totally get his point, but I'm hard-pressed to imagine getting pissed at 9 million dollars give or take.

9 million in the bank equates to something in the neighborhood of a quarter million in interest, so you bank that cash and live well for the rest of your life.

No, if I'm a player I don't want that tag either, because hell, more is better, but the tag in Nicks' case isn't a bad deal.

We need to try and find a way to keep all of these guys. If we can't the offense is going to suffer...