In your base defense, you guard and your center HAS to duo block the nose or your center will end up in the backfield (Bunkley did this to Nick Mangold - All-Pro center - in the 2011-2012 season). Now on pass downs you'll see the a blocker 1on1 with the nose because he isn't a pass rushing threat (unless you have one of those Ngata type freaks). That has been my whole point, Hicks is strong like a nose (so single-blocking him isn't a good idea), but he has a pass rush also. Put him at 3-tech and you make the offense make a decision: play him 1on1 and risk your guard getting dominated; double team him and your nose is free to destroy your guard. This is all base defense here and I think Hicks slide on nickel down possibly.