Word of caution about drafting Fairley

[MHS831]

Since some on here read the headline, twist it into something they can attack, and never read the explanation in the content, this is not saying that we should not take Fairley or that he will not be a great NFL player. It is, however, an attempt to look beyond the hype and analyze his transition from college to the NFL.

Fairley is on everyone's radar because he is making plays. His hands are phenomenal, his first step Jenkins-like in its quickness. His speed and ability to rush the passer are unquestioned. He has a chip on his shoulder--very nice. Is he the complete DT? You cannot jump to that conclusion quite yet.

In many systems, a DT's job is to take on double teams and keep the OL off the LBs. Collapse the pocket, but do so without opening throwing or running lanes--stay in the QBs face. In other words, if he does his job correctly, others should make plays.

Fairley made a lot of plays and was constantly in the backfield. My concern/question is this: Does he have the ability to take on the double team? Is he purely a gap shooter and will not be able to maintain two-gap responsibilities? Against the spread offense he was often unblocked and read by the QB. Many plays were made by Fairley shooting through gaps vacated by pulling linemen. In other words, I saw little gap responsibility.

Damien Lewis was a high draft pick (mid first round) who had similar qualities.

He could simply be good, or he could be good because they turned him loose and allowed him to fly around with no gap responsibilites. He was not on anyone's radar last year, and this year he is a superstar. That reeks of system change or steroids (JOKE).

I would watch a lot of tape on him to see what he can do for us and our system before taking him #1.

[Delhommey]

The only thing that I'm worried about with Fairley is that he might use his first paycheck to buy 4 million pizzas.

[PantherBrew]

This is going to make me glad that there is a rookie wage scale with the new CBA.

4 millions pizzas, instead of 20 million pizzas.

[chknwing]

uhhh all rookies getting drafted come in with a "?". No one knows for sure how well they will do at the next level.

[MHS831]

uhhh all rookies getting drafted come in with a "?". No one knows for sure how well they will do at the next level.

Do you get off on stating the obvious?

[Jackofalltrades]

Depends on what Mayock says.

[Ricky Spanish]

you raise a fine point, but right now, we don't know what the DTs responsibility will be in rivera's D scheme

[Catalyst]

I would like to think if we took him they'd use him whatever way would result in him playing the best. This isn't Foxball anymore, forcing round pegs into square holes.

[Fiz]

Double teams and gap responsibility are not the same thing. Do you really think fairley went his entire college career without fighting through a double team?

[chknwing]

nope, what ur saying is kinda retarded. Yeah Fairly gets penetration, makes plays but he may not be able to occupy an OL. WTF. Any team that drafts him, is not drafting him to occupy an OL. They want him to penetrate, get in the back field and cause havoc.

[Soul Rebel]

Very well thought out post MHS and a breath of fresh air from all of the typical "anti-Fairley" conversation that usually ends up in pro-Green. Those are definitely concerns and the comparison to Lewis in that light is solid. In order to be that game-changing Sapp-like DT that is feared by opposing offensive coordinators, he will need to bring that to the table. I think his athleticism and passion for the game (what little I have seen of him this season) will hopefully translate over to the next level if he does lack these skills. At the NFL level, these are the best of the best on both sides of the ball, so being able to dominate an O-Line at the collegiate level is obviously not the same. I think his ability to penetrate and push back at the LOS will help him take on the double teams. He already has the hand and foot speed to change directions and I think if he knows his responsibilities, he will be okay. As long as he doesn't overcommit or try to blow up every play like it's a sportscenter highlight, then I'm okay with it. I hope he has the patience and desire to be the best once he enters the league. He has the tools and body to be a dominating player, and I think Rivera will light a fire under him and take him to where he needs to be.

[Urrymonster]

nope, what ur saying is kinda retarded. Yeah Fairly gets penetration, makes plays but he may not be able to occupy an OL. WTF. Any team that drafts him, is not drafting him to occupy an OL. They want him to penetrate, get in the back field and cause havoc.

Yes and No.

Players like Lewis got exploited as his burst and aggression in getting penetration just opened up the running lane behind him. He would often be taken out of plays by guards pulling from the other side and essentially using the aggression against them.

Suh did pretty darn well this year, but early int he season teams were constantly exploiting his 'eyes for the QB'. Teams were swinging OLine players from the other side allowing the OG or Ot opposite him to instantly get tot he second level. He would penetrate and get blind sided and allow the runningback to go straight into the secondary as the OG/OT is already swallowing up LBs.

I am not too concerned with his ability to defeat double teams, because if they are doubling him, that means our DEs are being single blocked. Plus he is unlikely to be drawing the double team, as that would usually be the NTs responsibility.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

nope, what ur saying is kinda retarded.

You may not agree with it, but the post was actually pretty insightful.

[Fiz]

nope, what ur saying is kinda retarded. Yeah Fairly gets penetration, makes plays but he may not be able to occupy an OL. WTF. Any team that drafts him, is not drafting him to occupy an OL. They want him to penetrate, get in the back field and cause havoc.

Some people have been saying he could play a one technique like Ratliff or a 5 technique like the pats do with wilfork sometimes but I'd rather him not have to keep his shoulders parallel and just get the fug in there and ruin poo.

They can find some fat ass to stick on the line besides him to eat up blockers.