FanShot

Underrated players: NFC South

5

New Orleans Saints Carl Nicks, guard: Nicks might be the best guard in football, or he might be the second-best guard on his team behind Jahri Evans. That is debatable, but what is not debatable is that Nicks does not get his due in the public eye. His movement skills for his size (318 pounds) are amazing. He is quick to recover when beaten, can pull and trap and is a good blocker in space hitting a smaller target. Nicks is a very good pass-blocker, but he is just an animal in the run game. If the Saints need a tough yard, they should run behind Nicks, even more so than Evans. Apparently a popular topic this time of year, though I have to wonder how a pro bowler (however much or little you place on that designation based upon performance) can be underrated, as obviously fans and players feel the player awarded is good whether they are or not.