Carl Nicks making big impression in Bucs camp

Carl Nicks is making a positive impression early in training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and that’s a good thing considering the massive $47.5 million contract he picked up in free agency.

The Bucs signed the Pro Bowl guard away from the division foe New Orleans Saints in an effort to stabilize their offensive line. According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, everything looks good to this point.

“I'm kind of like looked to as the veteran, and this is barely my (sixth) year," Nicks told Stroud. "It's kind of a different role for me. We're young team, and we've got a lot of talent, but it's got to come together, and our attention to details has to be second to none, and our offense has to be one of the best.
"It all starts up front. We're going to be the leaders of this team, I believe, and we're going to win or lose games off our backs.''

First-year coach Greg Schiano has been a taskmaster since taking over and he really likes what he’s seen as Nicks was one of the club’s big buys in the first real shopping spree in free agency by the Bucs in a long time. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson was another big addition.

“Carl can be as explosive as he wants to be," Schiano said. "I'm very impressed. He's serious about what he's doing."

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune