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Carl Nicks Is The Best Offensive Lineman In The NFL, Says Pete Prisco

By Sander Philipse
May 15, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Carl Nicks (77) works out during organized team activities at One Buc. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
May 15, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Carl Nicks (77) works out during organized team activities at One Buc. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has published his annual list of the top 100 players in the NFL, and one Tampa Bay Buccaneer makes the list: Carl Nicks. The newly signed Buccaneer doesn't just make the list, though. He's listed near the top at #17, the highest ranking for any offensive lineman. Prisco has some nice things to say about the dominant left guard:

This mauler in the run game is as good as it gets at opening holes. He's also improved as a pass protector. The one knock is that he sometimes get too aggressive.

'Dominant' as a pass blocker would be a better description, but Nicks truly is one of the best linemen in the NFL.

Unfortunately, he's also the only Buccaneer to make the list. Vincent Jackson, Josh Freeman and Mike Williams all made the list last year, but none of them appeared in this addition. All of them were featured near the bottom of the top 100 in 2011, so falling off the map after a sub-par season isn't exactly a surprise. Can they make it back onto the list next season?

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