Former Auburn star has been ‘Fairley’ disappointing

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by Titans Insider, Sep 20, 2012.

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  1. Titans Insider

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    With the eight pick of the 2011 draft, the Tennessee Titans select … Nick Fairley.

    That’s how many observers, including yours truly, figured things would play out when the Titans made their first-round selection in 2011. After all, the Titans’ defensive line had been steamrolled the previous season, and Fairley, a 6-4, 298-pound defensive tackle, had been a dominant force on Auburn’s national championship team.

    As we all know, the Titans picked Jake Locker at No. 8.

    And the Lions, who chose Fairley with the 13th overall pick, may be wishing they had a do-over opportunity – at least to this point in Fairley’s career.

    Fairley has had trouble on the field, with a foot injury last season as well as conditioning issues during the 2012 training camp. He was also arrested twice during the past offseason, once for marijuana possession and another time charged with driving under the influence.

    He hasn’t been able to crack the starting lineup of Detroit’s talented defensive line, and Fairley has recorded just two tackles this year – none in last week’s loss to San Francisco.

    “He’s still a work in progress,” said Lions defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, a former Titan. “Nick came in his rookie year and got about four practices into training camp and broke his foot. It was something he had to battle through. He had his ups and downs his rookie year.

    “He can move really well for a guy his size and can run. He can dominate and he shows flashes of dominance, but what we expect from him down the road and, hopefully sooner than later, is dominance throughout the whole season.”

    What specifically must Fairley work on to reach that stage?

    “Throughout his college career, he relied so much on instincts and trying to read things and just be a feel-type player,” Vanden Bosch said. “But in our scheme, it’s more attack and hit your spot on every play, and don’t try to read things.

    “When he does that, he’s quick and explosive. He’s got long arms and he can be really disruptive when he attacks. When he tries to read things and see everything that’s going on, then he hesitates.”

    Source: Titans Insider
     
  2. Gunny

    Gunny Shoutbox Fuhrer

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    Nothing says an ego boost like playing our O-Line.
     
  3. Fry

    Fry Welcome to the land of tomorrow!

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    SEC defensive linemen= bust city.
     
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  4. Gunny

    Gunny Shoutbox Fuhrer

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    Now you've done it.
    [​IMG]
     
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  5. Fry

    Fry Welcome to the land of tomorrow!

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    I figured I'd get the SEC SEC SEC treatment. Don't care. It's true. First round SEC defensive linemen bust at a ridiculous rate.

    Between 2000 and 2010 there have been 20 SEC defensive linemen drafted in the first round and I'd consider 13 of them total busts with one boarder line bust(Haynesworth). The best part is as the conference has become better the linemen have gotten worse.

    Shaun Ellis, Gerard Warren, Richard Seymour, Marcus Stroud, Charles Grant, David Pollack, Marcus Spears, Jamaal Anderson, Jarvis Moss, Derrick Harvey, Tyson Jackson, Robert Ayers, Dan Williams, Peria Jerry, Glen Dorsey, Justin Harrell, Dewayne Robertson, Jonathon Sullivan, John Henderson, Albert Haynesworth,
     
  6. Scarecrow

    Scarecrow All-Pro

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    does the SEC make anything really good? Maybe linebackers.....
     
  7. Aqutis30

    Aqutis30 Do you mind - NOT being a Motaur?

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    Well come Sunday Fairly will look like a Hall of Famer against our O Line
     
  8. Ryudo

    Ryudo Farten Up

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    Where is DW to gloat?
     
  9. RollTide

    RollTide All-Pro

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    How is Haynesworth a borderline bust? He was a solid player for 5 seasons and for 2 seasons he might have been the best D-linemen in the league.

    He was actually a solid player his first season with the skins.

    A bust is somebody who barely contributes at all.
     
  10. RollTide

    RollTide All-Pro

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    As for Fairley he was one sec player that Dunce Wayne actually liked.

    I called it right on him and said that JJ Watt and Ryan Kerrigan were the best linemen in that draft.
     
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