Nicks in New Orleans

The anxiety he felt last season as a rookie, where there was little room for error, has been replaced with eagerness to continue where he left off.
When training camp begins Thursday for New Orleans, Carl Nicks is no longer a late round draft pick trying to learn a new position, while dealing with question marks about his behavior.
Instead, the second year lineman has solidified himself as a punishing and promising offensive guard, while showing the Saints that one off-the-field incident before the 2008 draft was not a reflection of his character.
Carrying nearly 350 pounds on a 6-foot-5 frame, Nicks, a North Salinas graduate, has taken up residence on the left side of New Orleans' offensive line.
Nicks is clearly on the right path after earning all-rookie honors last fall from Pro Football Weekly and The Sporting News, starting the final 13 games at a position he had never played before at any level.