ano thought Nicks would play but wanted to wait

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tampa Bay offensive guard Carl Nicks expects to play in his first game in 10 months when the Buccaneers face the New England Patriots in an exhibition game Friday night. While Bucs coach Greg Schiano wouldnt commit to using Nicks, who is recovering from a left toe injury, the 2011 All-Pro said Thursday, "I think thats the plan now, unless something changes." Nicks last played Oct. 25 but took part in the three days of joint practices with the Patriots that ended with a walkthrough Thursday. Schiano thought Nicks would play but wanted to wait before making a final decision. "I just want to play it by ear, see how he feels," Schiano said. "Right now, it isnt what Im concerned with. Although I want to get him work if he can, Im not going to be overly cautious, but, at the same time, I dont want to be silly." Nicks played all 64 games with the New Orleans Saints after they drafted him in the fifth round out of Nebraska in 2009. But he was limited to seven games last year with Tampa Bay. Nicks said he wasnt nervous about coming back. "If I was a rookie or maybe a second-year guy, maybe," he said, "but its just another day at the office." And, he said, hes "as confident as I can be. This kind of injury, I dont know many people have it. (Im) as confident as (I can be with) the information Ive been told." Schiano said hes still deciding how many plays his first team offence and defence will get against the Patriots. Theres a chance the Bucs will be facing Tom Brady, an unlikely prospect when the Patriots quarterback left Wednesdays practice with a sprained left knee. But on Thursday, Brady took all the snaps with the first-team offence and played without a limp. He was hurt when defensive end Adrian Clayborn rushed left tackle Nate Solder, who fell back into Brady, forcing the quarterback to the ground where he clutched his knee. "Its just unfortunate," Schiano said. "You talk all the time about letting them throw and the bull-rush stuff, but Im glad hes OK and its one of the dangers. You keep warning (players), but its hard, especially when they get competing with each other. So its part of the deal. Weve just got to try to prevent it, if at all possible." Did Clayborn do anything wrong in charging hard? "I just think everybodys playing football," Schiano said. "Im not going to get into right or wrong. Its an inherent risk with what we do. We try to be really smart with it. They try to be really smart with it. It was just a great three days of work. You cant get this against yourself. So Im really pleased." Best Nike React Running Shoes . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Nike Air Presto Wholesale . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. http://www.nikereactsale.com/ . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Nike React Element 55 For Sale . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Nike React Clearance .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Michael Birdsong had three total touchdowns, Yeedee Thaenrat rushed for 164 yards and a score, and Tennessee Tech beat Tennessee State 44-16 on Saturday night.Tennessee Tech took the opening kickoff and went on a 10-play, 75-yard drive for a 7-0 lead on Thaenrats short run. The Golden Eagles scored 20 unanswered points in the second quarter and led 27-3 at halftime.Dontez Byrd caught nine passes for 112 yards and one touchdown for Tennessee Tech (4-6, 4-3 Ohio Valley Conference). Birdsong was 14-of-22 passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns, andd he had six carries for 77 yards.dddddddddddd Nick Madonia made 3 of 4 field goals, with a long of 57.Lane Clark made three field goals -- of 55, 47 and 25 yards -- for Tennessee State (6-4, 3-3).The Tigers scored their lone touchdown with 8:08 remaining in the fourth quarter when Ronald Butler connected with Steven Newbold for 22 yards to pull to 37-16. The Golden Eagles answered on their next drive with Birdsongs 14-yard touchdown run. ' ' '