Hakeem Nicks' camp leaked a story Saturday, circulating news that the free agent finally is healthy and willing to consider a one-year contract.
Now Nicks is clarifying that he wants a long-term deal from a team with an established quarterback and a need at wide receiver.
In a Sunday conversation with ESPN's Josina Anderson, Nicks said he has his eye on a number of teams and prefers to sign with a team where he's the "missing link."
"I know if I went to a place like Indianapolis I would be dangerous with a quarterback like Andrew Luck," Nicks said. "I can see myself catching passes from Cam Newton or even Philip Rivers. ... I just want to make it clear that I want a long-term deal and I want to be happy."
All three of the destinations mentioned by Nicks make sense from a team-needs standpoint. The key will be asking price. Nicks was believed to be seeking a deal modeled on Mike Wallace's five-year, $60 million contract last offseason.
Saturday's leak is a tacit admission that he will have to accept a lesser deal to rebuild his value before hitting the NFL jackpot. In which case, teaming with Luck in Indianapolis is the right idea.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" picks the biggest free agent bargains and plays the revolutionary game: "Get my lunch."
