That is a good point about the center being sandwiched between 2 pro bowl guards. Truly don't think they will let Drew's protection go unless they have something up their sleeve. The point about Jerry Jones is a good one he seems to get what he wants. I still think the Saints front office realizes Drew's success is in large part to the fact he has time behind the line.

Signing Drew is a given. I will say that I would be extremely disappointed and shocked if we didn't keep Nicks too.

Someone else said it in this or some other thread and I agree 100%. The last thing we need is to mess with the o-line. I'd be willing to give up Colston and Vilma if that's what we had to do, as much as I'd hate it.

We HAVE to keep Nicks!

At 6'4" and 305lbs is Eric Olsen G/C a camp body or is he another diamond in the rough? A ND product drafted by the Broncos in the late rounds later picked up by the Skins, then Saints.

Well, we all saw how important O-Line depth is this past season with the release of Stinchcomb, the problems with Kreutz, and the injuries to both Strief and Brown at RT.

So, I'd say a camp body with a possibility of being used to create more depth, but definitely not a Nicks replacement.

Fin; I just remember Nicks was a 5th round pick and as a rookie in 2008 took the place of Jamar Nesbit and the rest is history.

The reason I brought up Olsen is I don't watch ND football and have no opine on his abilities...just as with Nicks in 2008...as I don't watch Nebraska football either. I guess I am a SEC fan! :)

One thing for sure...competition at C/G in 2012 with BDLP, Tennent, and Olsen.

kreutz blew goats and he was in between two pro bowl guards.

Our All-Pro G and QB both played for teams that are currently in the Big 10. Guess I'll keep watching some of these non SEC games.

I don't like playing Monday Morning GM. I'll wait and see what the real Gm is going to do. It's all speculation anyway.

It's true what you said about Nicks, and I don't watch any college football, so my knowledge is even more unreliable in that sense.

But the reason I don't see this Olsen guy stepping up to fill Nicks' jockstrap is because he wasn't drafted by the Saints, he has been around for awhile, been tossed between teams, and stepping up for Nesbit was quite a lot easier than replacing a guard of Nicks' caliber.

Nicks is excellent in both pass protection and run blocking and he has made great developmental steps forward in both categories within the past 2 seasons - as was stated by his fellow guard Evans - and, therefore, it would be incredibly difficult to replace him with a guy who hasn't even been able to secure a roster spot earlier.

Fin, I understand your point and concur to a point. I only am reflective of Collins and BLDP ( among others who were not drafted by the Saints and have contributed significantly) circumstances.