My last-ditch plea for the Bills to select Nick Fairley

[Coach Tuesday]

I know this yet another "I love X player" thread from a casual fan/observer. And I know it's likely to get quickly lost in the TSW shuffle. But I need to make my case anyhow.

 

In my admittedly untrained opinion, the most disruptive, unblockable force in college football last year was Nick Fairley. If you've watched him play at all, you know what I'm talking about - he explodes through the line and creates absolute havoc. He is the kind of player that offensive coordinators hate, because he can force you to throw your entire gameplan out the window.

 

In fact, one analysis has him as more of a playmaker than Dareus:

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/6492/nick-fairley

 

I know there are supposed issues with Fairley's attitude. I don't buy it for a second. Have you seen him play? Not only does he not take plays off, he continues to play well AFTER the whistle, which got him into trouble a few times. I say bring that type of attitude to the Ralph. The guy would be an instant superstar in Buffalo. He is EXACTLY what this team needs: a big, nasty, disruptive playmaker for the front seven. I don't care what kind of scheme they'd like to run - Fairley is so good, you design your scheme around him.

 

I still think they'll take Von Miller, and it just breaks my heart - to let a guy like Fairley get away from you, so that you can select an undersized passrush specialist, it just seems like the same story all over again.

 

But again, what do I know. Nix is an SEC guru, so if he doesn't take Fairley, I'll have to trust him.

 

He'd be my pick though, in a heartbeat.

[Bill from NYC]

I am an Alabama fan and I think that Fairley has more potential than Darreus. But, I think that they will select Gabbert. We shall see.

[Coach Tuesday]

I am an Alabama fan and I think that Fairley has more potential than Darreus. But, I think that they will select Gabbert. We shall see.

 

I'll have a stroke Bill, I really will. Gabbert threw the ball on almost every single snap last year, and he only had 16 touchdowns to show for it. I don't know what anyone sees in that guy. Just once can't we land a big strong blue chipper? I know you're with me on this...

[Bill from NYC]

I'll have a stroke Bill, I really will. Gabbert threw the ball on almost every single snap last year, and he only had 16 touchdowns to show for it. I don't know what anyone sees in that guy. Just once can't we land a big strong blue chipper? I know you're with me on this...

 

I am not pushing for Gabbert, but he would appear to be a "safe" pick. Does Newton have the personality to sit and wait? Does he have character issues? I don't know, nor do I pretend to.

Darreus would be more "safe" than Fairley, or so it would seem. At this point I would be ok to some extent with any of the above. Remember, this is the Bills we are talking about.

 

Otoh, Peterson would be a disaster and imo, Miller is just too small to help this football team. Just my amateurish opinion.

[KOKBILLS]

I know this yet another "I love X player" thread from a casual fan/observer. And I know it's likely to get quickly lost in the TSW shuffle. But I need to make my case anyhow.

 

In my admittedly untrained opinion, the most disruptive, unblockable force in college football last year was Nick Fairley. If you've watched him play at all, you know what I'm talking about - he explodes through the line and creates absolute havoc. He is the kind of player that offensive coordinators hate, because he can force you to throw your entire gameplan out the window.

 

In fact, one analysis has him as more of a playmaker than Dareus:

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/6492/nick-fairley

 

I know there are supposed issues with Fairley's attitude. I don't buy it for a second. Have you seen him play? Not only does he not take plays off, he continues to play well AFTER the whistle, which got him into trouble a few times. I say bring that type of attitude to the Ralph. The guy would be an instant superstar in Buffalo. He is EXACTLY what this team needs: a big, nasty, disruptive playmaker for the front seven. I don't care what kind of scheme they'd like to run - Fairley is so good, you design your scheme around him.

 

I still think they'll take Von Miller, and it just breaks my heart - to let a guy like Fairley get away from you, so that you can select an undersized passrush specialist, it just seems like the same story all over again.

 

But again, what do I know. Nix is an SEC guru, so if he doesn't take Fairley, I'll have to trust him.

 

He'd be my pick though, in a heartbeat.

 

Well...There really is no question that Fairley is a bigger play-maker than Dareus...I also think he's a better fit for the 5-technique in the 3-4 because I think he'll be a better Pass rusher than Dareus there...But Dareus brings a little more flexiblity in that he could also give you time at NT...

 

Fairley is REALLY suffering from the "one year wonder" tag...To his credit he came alive in that one year to be a dominant force, probably the most dominant player in College Football last year outside of his Offensive Teammate...But it scares some Scouts to death that he was on that Auburn Roster in 2009, played, and only had 28 Tackles and one Sack...I saw the Kid on NFL Network the other day and he seems to be a genuine decent guy...Folks are making WAY too big a deal about him being off the field at times because it was a forced rotation at Auburn...He was not taking himself out...The talk about him falling asleep in Meetings seems to be true, but they discovered he had Sleep Apnea...So he was not getting enough sleep at night and of coarse that made him exhausted during the day...He now sleeps hooked up to the breathing machine and says that since then he's never had a problem staying awake during the day...So that seems to be taken care of...

 

All I know is this...When I saw Suh in College he reminded me of Reggie White...Some were saying Gerald McCoy was a better Pro Prospect but I was not biting on that...Suh was an absolute animal...McCoy was real good...But Suh was a beast...I look at the Fairly/Dareus thing similarly...One (Dareus) looks really good...VERY solid in most areas...The other looks like Bruce freaking Smith out there...Fairley looks like the type of Kid that is not going to be blocked when he does not want to be blocked...I like both Dareus and Fairley...I don't think you can go wrong with either to be honest...But I think Fairley has rare upside...He has HOF upside if he works hard enough...The sky is the limit for that Kid...

[Thoner7]

I agree man – I have no idea where the work ethic questions come from. He never took plays off he was crushing dudes and played through the whistle. I too think that’s what we need.

 

FWIW, on ESPN last night they had a Fairley v Dareus segment. They showed comments by the Panthers new coach Riveara and John Fox from the Broncos. Both guys comments where that both guys could play in a 3-4 or 4-3, but they both thought Dareus was more adaptable and more prototypical. Riveara said Fairley was as athletic as a DE but built like a DT. AKA I don’t buy the whole “fairley is a 4-3 only guy” excuse.

 

Another knack on him I have heard is people call his body undeveloped or lacking definition. I tend to see the results, and weak people cannot toss around SEC lineman like ragdolls the way Fairley did all season. Besides, I see a striking similarity between Fairleys body type and Warren Saps.

 

I also think that it is so rare to find a 300+ pound human being that can move around like some of the guys in this class. They are very rare. I don’t want to take an average sized very athletic human, I want a freakishly large and freakishly athletic human. There are mush less of the latter on the planet.

[The Buffalo Irishman]

I really don't want a QB in the 1st... They know who they want. Just days away till we jump up and say NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GG]

NFL Network analysts (Dukes, Casserley, Sapp, & Chavous) compared Fairley & Dareus. Only Dukes had Fairley in the Top 10, with Chavous saying he would pass on Fairley in Round 1 and instead take a shot on a DT in Round 3. To me, Sapp's comments were the most striking, in that I figured he could emphatize with Fairley, seeing how his draft stock fell. But Sapp was the loudest critic about Fairley's technique, motivation and general three down lineman fit on an NFL roster. He was particularly vocal about Fairley not liking every down contact and thought his highlights were padded by playing agianst inferior OLs. Actually, the three also had Corey Liuget rated higher than Fairley.

[Ramius]

NFL Network analysts (Dukes, Casserley, Sapp, & Chavous) compared Fairley & Dareus. Only Dukes had Fairley in the Top 10, with Chavous saying he would pass on Fairley in Round 1 and instead take a shot on a DT in Round 3. To me, Sapp's comments were the most striking, in that I figured he could emphatize with Fairley, seeing how his draft stock fell. But Sapp was the loudest critic about Fairley's technique, motivation and general three down lineman fit on an NFL roster. He was particularly vocal about Fairley not liking every down contact and thought his highlights were padded by playing agianst inferior OLs. Actually, the three also had Corey Liuget rated higher than Fairley.

 

Taking Haynesworth jr at #3 would certainly improve our DT draft equity.

[Coach Tuesday]

NFL Network analysts (Dukes, Casserley, Sapp, & Chavous) compared Fairley & Dareus. Only Dukes had Fairley in the Top 10, with Chavous saying he would pass on Fairley in Round 1 and instead take a shot on a DT in Round 3. To me, Sapp's comments were the most striking, in that I figured he could emphatize with Fairley, seeing how his draft stock fell. But Sapp was the loudest critic about Fairley's technique, motivation and general three down lineman fit on an NFL roster. He was particularly vocal about Fairley not liking every down contact and thought his highlights were padded by playing agianst inferior OLs. Actually, the three also had Corey Liuget rated higher than Fairley.

 

I know that Sapp has been very vocal about his preference for Dareus. I understand where he's coming from, and he certainly knows more than I do about this subject. But perhaps the problem is that they're evaluating Fairley as a DT. To me, he plays like an end - he has the quickness and passrush moves of a DE. And as Thoner said, when the guy needed to make a play, he was absolutely unblockable. With Dareus you're getting more consistency and perhaps versatility. With Fairley you're getting more pure explosion. If Dareus is still there at 3, great - you take him. If not, IMO, you don't grab a cornerback/safety hybrid, an undersized passrush specialist, or a developmental QB. You take the next-best big nasty of the bunch.

[BuffaloBill]

I am an Alabama fan and I think that Fairley has more potential than Darreus. But, I think that they will select Gabbert. We shall see.

 

 

I hope you are wrong ... Gabbert is a Johnny come lately that has not shown he is worth a #3 pick. The Bills can't afford another bust this high in the draft.

[DrDawkinstein]

I know that Sapp has been very vocal about his preference for Dareus. I understand where he's coming from, and he certainly knows more than I do about this subject. But perhaps the problem is that they're evaluating Fairley as a DT. To me, he plays like an end - he has the quickness and passrush moves of a DE. And as Thoner said, when the guy needed to make a play, he was absolutely unblockable. With Dareus you're getting more consistency and perhaps versatility. With Fairley you're getting more pure explosion. If Dareus is still there at 3, great - you take him. If not, IMO, you don't grab a cornerback/safety hybrid, an undersized passrush specialist, or a developmental QB. You take the next-best big nasty of the bunch.

 

Yes! Agreed!

 

Dareus, and if he's not there, Fairley. One of them will be there, both can play 3-4 DE and 4-3 DT. DONT SCREW IT UP BUDDY!!

[GG]

I know that Sapp has been very vocal about his preference for Dareus. I understand where he's coming from, and he certainly knows more than I do about this subject. But perhaps the problem is that they're evaluating Fairley as a DT. To me, he plays like an end - he has the quickness and passrush moves of a DE. And as Thoner said, when the guy needed to make a play, he was absolutely unblockable. With Dareus you're getting more consistency and perhaps versatility. With Fairley you're getting more pure explosion. If Dareus is still there at 3, great - you take him. If not, IMO, you don't grab a cornerback/safety hybrid, an undersized passrush specialist, or a developmental QB. You take the next-best big nasty of the bunch.

 

That was basically their take on the first part. But they all thought that there were players ahead of him at TOp 10.

 

Before anyone runs off on a tangent, they all recognized his talents, but questioned whether he was a risk in the Top 10, when you can get another more consistent player and then backfill DT later on, given the DT depth in this draft. If the DT picks were more sparse this year, then there would be no question of Fairley going Top 5-10.

[DE Bills Fan]

TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KOKBILLS]

I'll have a stroke Bill, I really will. Gabbert threw the ball on almost every single snap last year, and he only had 16 touchdowns to show for it. I don't know what anyone sees in that guy. Just once can't we land a big strong blue chipper? I know you're with me on this...

 

What Scouts see in Gabbert is actually pretty simple...They see a Kid that is a SUPER smart, athletic QB with a great arm...He's a Project for certain, but he starts off with an incredible amount on his side...There are HOF QB's with FAR worse College Stats than Gabbert...But he's not a sure thing by any means...He is crystal clean off the field, he's a good leader, and he LOVES Football...The Kid is driven to be the best...He has the right attitude...Scouts believe there is no such thing as a College QB who is ready for the NFL regardless...Some are more ready than others, but none come out 100% prepared...So it's going to take Coaching an patience regardless...Keeping that in mind Gabbert is about as safe a bet as you're going to get...The Kid is going to bust his tail, he's got a ton of natural athletic ability, and he certainly seems smart enough to grasp an entire NFL Playbook...

 

That's what Scouts see in Blaine Gabbert...

[Coach Tuesday]

What Scouts see in Gabbert is actually pretty simple...They see a Kid that is a SUPER smart, athletic QB with a great arm...He's a Project for certain, but he starts off with an incredible amount on his side...There are HOF QB's with FAR worse College Stats than Gabbert...But he's not a sure thing by any means...He is crystal clean off the field, he's a good leader, and he LOVES Football...The Kid is driven to be the best...He has the right attitude...Scouts believe there is no such thing as a College QB who is ready for the NFL regardless...Some are more ready than others, but none come out 100% prepared...So it's going to take Coaching an patience regardless...Keeping that in mind Gabbert is about as safe a bet as you're going to get...The Kid is going to bust his tail, he's got a ton of natural athletic ability, and he certainly seems smart enough to grasp an entire NFL Playbook...

 

That's what Scouts see in Blaine Gabbert...

 

Not to derail the discussion, but tell me where any of that differs from Trent Edwards. Not saying they'll have similar careers, but IMO big-time production at a major program makes a player a "safe bet," not intelligence and enthusiasm.

[billsfreak]

I know this yet another "I love X player" thread from a casual fan/observer. And I know it's likely to get quickly lost in the TSW shuffle. But I need to make my case anyhow.

 

In my admittedly untrained opinion, the most disruptive, unblockable force in college football last year was Nick Fairley. If you've watched him play at all, you know what I'm talking about - he explodes through the line and creates absolute havoc. He is the kind of player that offensive coordinators hate, because he can force you to throw your entire gameplan out the window.

 

In fact, one analysis has him as more of a playmaker than Dareus:

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/6492/nick-fairley

 

I know there are supposed issues with Fairley's attitude. I don't buy it for a second. Have you seen him play? Not only does he not take plays off, he continues to play well AFTER the whistle, which got him into trouble a few times. I say bring that type of attitude to the Ralph. The guy would be an instant superstar in Buffalo. He is EXACTLY what this team needs: a big, nasty, disruptive playmaker for the front seven. I don't care what kind of scheme they'd like to run - Fairley is so good, you design your scheme around him.

 

I still think they'll take Von Miller, and it just breaks my heart - to let a guy like Fairley get away from you, so that you can select an undersized passrush specialist, it just seems like the same story all over again.

 

But again, what do I know. Nix is an SEC guru, so if he doesn't take Fairley, I'll have to trust him.

 

He'd be my pick though, in a heartbeat.

[/quote

 

I only saw him play a little bit, but reading alot of the mock draft and articles about the draft, Fairley's stock has dropped significantly, to the point where alot of the articles are calling him a one year wonder and one of the most likely draft picks to be a big time bust. Only time will tell, but I haven't seen him in any discussions with regards to the Bills in a few months.

[1billsfan]

I am not pushing for Gabbert, but he would appear to be a "safe" pick. Does Newton have the personality to sit and wait? Does he have character issues? I don't know, nor do I pretend to.

Darreus would be more "safe" than Fairley, or so it would seem. At this point I would be ok to some extent with any of the above. Remember, this is the Bills we are talking about.

 

Otoh, Peterson would be a disaster and imo, Miller is just too small to help this football team. Just my amateurish opinion.

 

Bradford and Suh were "safe" picks. Gabbert is nothing of the kind. There's tons of stuff online about his not handling either real or perceived defensive pressure well and his propensity of throwing dinky little checkdown passes his whole career. Basically he's Trent Edwards 2.0 with a giant media hype machine up his butt.

 

The only top 5 truly "safe" picks in this draft are Peterson or Green. I know that you don't want to hear that, but it's the truth.

[section122]

I see todd marinovich when I look at blaine gabbert. Someone who has trained his entire life to be a qb in the nfl, however, someone I don't think will hold up under pressure as evidenced by his poor completion % when being blitzed. Just my opinion but he scares the heck out of me.

 

Fairley reminds me a lot of sapp and it is suprising to see him low on him. The thing I worry about with him is whether or not he is a chemical creation. The dramatic increase in production and lack of self control (ie numerous personal fouls) on the field scare me. I would love a big nasty however am concerned about his ability to do so with the drug testing policy.

[Bill from NYC]

The only top 5 truly "safe" picks in this draft are Peterson or Green. I know that you don't want to hear that, but it's the truth.

 

I don't necessarily agree, but even if you are correct, neither is what the Bills need in order to be a winning team. They need to get bigger and stronger, not make a rookie cb or wr the highest paid player on the team. That would be very stupid indeed.