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Friday's game being an exhibition isn't tempering New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley's excitement.

A native of Mobile, Ala., Fairley grew up cheering for the Saints, and the upcoming preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers will be his first Superdome experience with the home team.

"Actually, as a kid, growing up I didn't go to any of the games," he said Tuesday. "I came here as a rookie when I was in Detroit, but now, I'm playing, I'm on their sideline and I get the cheers from their fans? I got chills talking about it."



Teams typically use their top players most in the third preseason game, and that means Fairley will have plenty of chances to impress Friday.

But, he doesn't really need to convince the coaches of much. With first-round pick Sheldon Rankins recovering from surgery to repair a broken fibula, Fairley will surely be a starter when the season begins.

"Now that he's down, they told me I was going to have to take on (more) of the load," Fairley said. "So, I'm ready for it. I just got to get into better shape and keep going."

The Saints aren't just handing the veteran a starting job, though. In last week's preseason game against the Texans, Fairley had four tackles, one for loss and one sack in just 19 snaps.

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WillMacKenzie

Nick Fairley is going to wipe the floor with self-proclaimed superman. Newton's agent might as well start trying to drum up endorsements from Kleenex.

When you go against NFL record bad defenses 2 years in a row, of course you'll great.

But the cream will always rise to the top, MACHO MADNESS YEAH!

K Major

Circle back to the Texans game .. I want to say their first offensive drive. Osweiler dropped back for a screen. Initially it looked like a substantial gain, however Nick tracked & chased down the RB & limited him to a 6 yard gain (could have been a TON more). The man is slightly under 300 lbs. All hustle and desire.

Nick looks solid thus far. Nasty, has an edge. I love his game.

dizzle88

Very quickly turning into one of my favourite signings this offseason. The guy looks to have sorted out any personal issues he had previously and is consistently disrupting the pocket.

If Edibali can continue to grow as a complete DE, then I don't sigh at the sight of our D line anymore.

Davison, Edibali, Jordan and Fairely. Mixed with some Sheldon Rankins and hopefully David Onyemata, we could start building a very nice defense.

Beastmode

But he says he needs to get in better shape? Seems a little late for that now. I hope this works out. Really on him, he has the ability.

ChrisXVI

Some guys just need to be close to home. Seems like he's way happier and more comfortable being in his element on the Gulf Coast. I'm loving the guy so far... I think he's gonna have a career rebirth here.

dizzle88

Just read this;

Through 2 weeks of preseason, Saints DT Nick Fairley has the highest graded run stop percentage among DT's in the NFL at 30.8%, 4 run stops from 13 running plays.

Crusader

I like reading this!

NOLA54

These next 2 preseason games will make or break the season. We better see some fire in the belly.

Danno

Keep him hungry, he'll produce.

I'm hoping we use him as a square peg in a square hole.

He's a 3-tech DT. That's all he'll ever be. Use him to his strengths and he'll be a stud for us.

IIRC Kansas City tried to use Glenn Dorsey as a NT when every one who ever followed his career knew he was a gifted 3-tech. I think it ruined his career, along with that cheap shot cut block against Auburn.