Patriots to meet with Nick Fairley

Possible Hicks replacement.

Nick WagonerVerified account ‏@nwagoner 5m5 minutes ago
Rams free-agent DT Nick Fairley on my flight to owners meetings this am. He tells me he's heading there to meet with the Patriots.

Wagpner is a Rams reporter.

Loved this guy at Auburn, I read that his inconsistent effort is the thing that has held him back. Would love to have him on the pats.

I like this, I wanted them to sign either Henry Melton or him.

Don't let him leave. Ideal replacement for Hicks

Another former 1st round pick

Continuing the Patriots off-season theme of acquiring previous 1st round draft picks.

JMC00 said:

Don't let him leave. Ideal replacement for Hicks

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You want him to stay at the owners meeting?

Interesting. He visited NO without a deal. My understanding is that he had injuries, effort and weight issues in DET.

Wonder if Chris Long had an endorsement for the kid?

robertweathers said:

Interesting. He visited NO without a deal. My understanding is that he had injuries, effort and weight issues in DET.

Wonder if Chris Long had an endorsement for the kid?

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Injuries stink, but BB and crew can help him control the effort and weight. He's definitely talented, I think he could be a great replacement for Hicks if he keeps his mind right.

BelichickFan said:

Possible Hicks replacement.

Nick WagonerVerified account ‏@nwagoner 5m5 minutes ago
Rams free-agent DT Nick Fairley on my flight to owners meetings this am. He tells me he's heading there to meet with the Patriots.

Wagpner is a Rams reporter.

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Sign the beast

Ross12 said:

Injuries stink, but BB and crew can help him control the effort and weight. He's definitely talented, I think he could be a great replacement for Hicks if he keeps his mind right.

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I think they know exactly what they are getting in him. Schwartz is a BB confidant and coached him in DET. I'm assuming they reached out to Long and asked for his opinion on him in STL last year.

He received $5m from STL last year and he played 36% of the snaps. That wont fly here I imagine a 1yr/$2m + incentives might get it done here. Just a guess.

robertweathers said:

I think they know exactly what they are getting in him. Schwartz is a BB confidant and coached him in DET. I'm assuming they reached out to Long and asked for his opinion on him in STL last year.

He received $5m from STL last year and he played 36% of the snaps. That wont fly here I imagine a 1yr/$2m + incentives might get it done here. Just a guess.

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Keep in mind the Rams had Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers at defensive tackle. The former has a good case for being considered the best defensive lineman in the game and the latter is no slouch. Fairley was very effective as a rotational player in St. Louis, and he'll be more than an adequate replacement for Hicks if they do sign him.

primetime said:

Keep in mind the Rams had Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers at defensive tackle. The former has a good case for being considered the best defensive lineman in the game and the latter is no slouch. Fairley was very effective as a rotational player in St. Louis, and he'll be more than an adequate replacement for Hicks if they do sign him.

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Thats kinda what I've been reading. He played pretty well in STL. If he can do that here it'll be a nice pickup.

I am so-so on Fairley. He is not just a Hicks replacement but he is a Hicks upgrade. When he wants to play he is one of the best DTs in the game. So while i would love him here i think it would be a pain too.

Im sure Long has insight on Fairley and what kind of player he can be.
On a side note am I the only one who wants Long to wear his Dads number?

Ross12 said:

Injuries stink, but BB and crew can help him control the effort and weight. He's definitely talented, I think he could be a great replacement for Hicks if he keeps his mind right.

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that waste of space albert haynesworth says hello

This actually reminds me a lot of the Branch signing. Talented big man who hasn't been bad in the league but comes with some character/work ethic question marks. We've had good luck with DT signings recently too, getting varying degrees of production out of Jones, Siliga, Hicks, and Branch. I would guess BB gets something out of this guy if he signs.

I want a top 3 O, a top 3 D, and a top 3 ST so badly.

SIGN FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR NICK!!! THIS WORKS FOR DIKEMBE SO WORK FOR AUSBACKER!!

chasa said:

that waste of space albert haynesworth says hello

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He actually has the opposite weight issue as Haynesworth (the concerns were that Fairley was underweight) and he had no problems being effective as a rotational defensive lineman last season. Not even remotely comparable.

Does Fairley want to come to a team that drafted a defensive tackle with both of its last first-round draft picks?

Brown-Branch-Fairley-Easley would be a pretty impressive rotation.