Saints Free Agency 2011 Update: Carl Nicks Receives New Tender, LB Clint Ingram Returns

Today features action both on and off the practice field as news on two player moves has broken this morning.

The more significant of the moves is what Mike Triplett of the Times-Picayune/nola.com tweeted about New Orleans Saints Restricted Free Agent G Carl Nicks:

#Saints G Carl Nicks has signed RFA tender and is watching practice. One major transaction Saints don't have to worry about now.

News on this front is something we have all been waiting for, and while I know we'd love to see him locked up to a long-term deal, we've at least got him for one more year.

Thanks to bondcrash for dropping this news into the "Pool of Hope" free agency comment thread.

Make the jump for the rest of the story...

James Varney of the nola.com/Times-Pic expands on the Nicks story a bit, and things aren't quite as they seemed at first:

The New Orleans Saints have tendered an offer - apparently for the second time - to starting guard Carl Nicks. Nicks is on the field at Saints camp today but not participating.

The club had tendered Nicks, a restricted free agent, a 1-year, $2.6 million offer before the lockout last March and it is unclear if the new offer is for the same amount or has been altered by salary cap rules in place under the new collective bargaining agreement.

Nicks was a fifth-round draft pick by the Saints in 2008; under the terms of his prior tender a team would have to give New Orleans a first round draft pick should they sign him.

I'm not sure how Varney knows this, and what exactly led Triplett to tweet what he did above, but we'll keep following the story for you and bringing you the latest news as it comes available.

On the other side of the ball, as first brought to us by bondcrash (he's coming through big this morning!!) a couple of hours ago,  FA LB Clint Ingram has reportedly agreed to terms on a contract with the Saints.

As per Jeff Duncan @ the Times-Pic/nola.com:

Linebacker Clint Ingram has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, according to a report by 99.3 KZTK-FM radio in Longview, Texas.

Ingram texted KZTK's Craig Smoak early this morning to say he plans to sign a one-year deal with the Saints when he reports to camp today.

Duncan then provides some history, context, and analysis:

Saints fans might remember Ingram. He was signed to a one-year deal in free agency in 2010 and was expected to compete for the starting strong-side linebacker spot but never played a down. He started the season on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury and was released in October.

Ingram, 6-2, 240, suffered the injury in the 2009 season as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He underwent microfracture surgery to repair the injury but his recovery did not progress as quickly as needed.

The Saints saw him as a possible replacement for Scott Fujita on the strong side.

At 28, Ingram still is young enough to help the Saints if he's healthy. Rookie Martez Wilson is currently starting at strong-side linebacker but the competition will increase dramatically when veterans Danny Clark, Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Scott Shanle are allowed to return to practice on Thursday. Add Ingram to the mix.

Are we going to be able to handle more training camp INGRAMANIA!!? Only time will tell.

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