2012-2016- The Fisher Era

Offseason 2015: Adding DT Nick Fairley to ‘Sack City’ is almost unfair

If NFL quarterbacks didn’t want to face the St. Louis Rams defense before, they surely don’t want anything to do with team representing “Sack City” in 2015. To think that the Rams strengthened their defensive front with the addition of former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley is a frightening thought indeed.

The loss of veteran Kendall Langford hurt a lot more than people realize. Yes, he played a reserved role, but that doesn’t make his loss meaningless. It’s important to have a talented front four, but it’s equally important to have quality depth to provide breaks for the starters or in case of injuries. Fairley is expected to continue the same role that Langford had, but this could be an all-around better situation for the former Detroit Lions first round draft pick.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will definitely have fun placing Fairley in plenty of blitz packages. Fairley has a motor and is relentless off the snap. Sounds a lot like Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald, and one of the players he was compared to coming out of the draft last year was Fairley. About the only difference between both players is that Fairley is slightly bigger. Imagining these two athletic pass rushers obliterating offensive lines is going to haunt offensive coordinators. Placing Robert Quinn and Chris Long on the ends is just unfair.

Speaking of Quinn, the Rams drafted him in the 2011 NFL Draft, but there was a very real possibility that the Rams would have drafted Fairley if he fell at pick No. 14. The Lions picked him just before the Rams at pick No. 13 and now both players are on the same defensive line.

Playing a reduced role could benefit Fairley, because it could lessen the possibility of an injury. Even though Fairley will likely not be a starter, he will definitely try to make the most of his playing time, since he is playing for a long-term contract.

It’s in the best interest of the Rams to keep an eye on him, because Michael Brockers is in the final year of his rookie contract. No doubt general manager Les Snead will want to keep him in St. Louis, but other teams will likely have him on their radar too. It’s no guarantee that the Rams will be able to keep him, so Fairley provides another option. First, he must show what he can do on the field.

Source: Sportrac.com

You can follow Johnny Gomez on Twitter @Johnny5not6. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.

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