- Joined
- Oct 22, 2013
- Messages
- 9,766
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17501/where-nick-fairley-fits-in-rams-dl-rotation
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Heading into free agency, the St. Louis Rams had two players in mind when it came to adding to their defense.
While the bigger needs still remain on offense, the Rams apparently checked both boxes by signing defensive tackle Nick Fairley and linebacker Akeem Ayers.
where Ayers fits in the defense with Fisher saying that Ayers will be a versatile piece who will have the chance to compete with Jo-Lonn Dunbar for a starting job alongside James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree.
As for Fairley, a starting job probably isn't in the cards barring some injuries. The Rams already have Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald in place, but Fairley still figures to get plenty of playing time in 2015.
“Yeah, (he's in) the rotation," Fisher said. "He was excited about one, coming into the building, and two, meeting (defensive line) coach (Mike) Waufle and watching and seeing what we were doing. They (the Detroit Lions, Fairley's former team) had watched a lot of tape of ours, as we did of them because they have an outstanding pass rush as well. He was excited about being part of the rotation.”
Fairley is known more for his pass rushing abilities than stopping the run, though he's struggled with consistency in part because of injuries and also because of weight problems. He had 13.5 sacks in four seasons with the Lions with 11.5 of those coming in 2012 and 2013.
In the Rams' rotation, Fairley figures to have no shortage of opportunities even if he isn't a starter. Kendall Langford, whom Fairley ostensibly replaced after the Rams released him, played 467 snaps or about 47 percent of the defensive snaps in 2014. That should give Fairley enough of a chance to make plays and potentially cash in on the free agent market next year.
Although Fairley hasn't had a chance to be around Rams Park much since signing -- the team officially opens its offseason conditioning program on April 20 -- Fisher said he came away with a sense that Fairley is ready to meet his vast potential.
"Nick was injured last year," Fisher said. "(He) was in his view ready to come back and play the final game but he did not. Since then he’s been doing nothing but working out. He changed his diet, his eating habits. His weight is under control. He’s in great shape right now. He’ll admit that he probably didn’t buy into it as best as he could have early in his career. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s buying into it now. He’s serious about his football.”
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Heading into free agency, the St. Louis Rams had two players in mind when it came to adding to their defense.
While the bigger needs still remain on offense, the Rams apparently checked both boxes by signing defensive tackle Nick Fairley and linebacker Akeem Ayers.
where Ayers fits in the defense with Fisher saying that Ayers will be a versatile piece who will have the chance to compete with Jo-Lonn Dunbar for a starting job alongside James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree.
As for Fairley, a starting job probably isn't in the cards barring some injuries. The Rams already have Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald in place, but Fairley still figures to get plenty of playing time in 2015.
“Yeah, (he's in) the rotation," Fisher said. "He was excited about one, coming into the building, and two, meeting (defensive line) coach (Mike) Waufle and watching and seeing what we were doing. They (the Detroit Lions, Fairley's former team) had watched a lot of tape of ours, as we did of them because they have an outstanding pass rush as well. He was excited about being part of the rotation.”
Fairley is known more for his pass rushing abilities than stopping the run, though he's struggled with consistency in part because of injuries and also because of weight problems. He had 13.5 sacks in four seasons with the Lions with 11.5 of those coming in 2012 and 2013.
In the Rams' rotation, Fairley figures to have no shortage of opportunities even if he isn't a starter. Kendall Langford, whom Fairley ostensibly replaced after the Rams released him, played 467 snaps or about 47 percent of the defensive snaps in 2014. That should give Fairley enough of a chance to make plays and potentially cash in on the free agent market next year.
Although Fairley hasn't had a chance to be around Rams Park much since signing -- the team officially opens its offseason conditioning program on April 20 -- Fisher said he came away with a sense that Fairley is ready to meet his vast potential.
"Nick was injured last year," Fisher said. "(He) was in his view ready to come back and play the final game but he did not. Since then he’s been doing nothing but working out. He changed his diet, his eating habits. His weight is under control. He’s in great shape right now. He’ll admit that he probably didn’t buy into it as best as he could have early in his career. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s buying into it now. He’s serious about his football.”
