The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... The Giants and Nicks disagree with each other as to whether the team knew Nicks would be exercising his right to not attend “voluntary” offseason practices. Per a source with knowledge of Nicks’ situation, the first-round pick who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal told the team he wouldn’t be present for optional offseason workouts. HC Tom Coughlin, however, claims he wasn’t informed that Nicks would be choosing not to participate.

Diehards Line: While sources close to Nicks continue to insist the absence has nothing to do with his current contract, there’s a chance (in PTF's Mike Florio's view) that Nicks wants to protect himself against the kind of injury that could undermine or obliterate his ability to cash in come 2014. Besides, these practices are voluntary. ... Stay tuned. We'll undoubtedly be hearing more about Nicks' ongoing absence -- the voluntary nature of workouts notwithstanding.