Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley

by Ty Anania7 hours agoFollow @AnaniaT

As news of Nick Fairley’s heart condition broke, the tentatively high hopes for the New Orleans Saints defensive line fell apart at the seams. But Sheldon Rankins has the potential to put the pieces back together.

The New Orleans Saints offseason took a major hit when news broke that Nick Fairley would miss the season. But, as is the case with the injury to Terron Armstead, the Saints are well-stocked to handle the loss.

Sheldon Rankins has the potential to be a better player — even in 2017 — than Nick Fairley. Yes, Fairley was a force against the pass last year. But he was a very hot/cold player, as Sean Payton admitted. At times he was a major force, especially against the pass. At others, he failed to win his one-on-one battles. I don’t mean this as a bash on Fairley as a player. It will take some serious development from Sheldon Rankins to match what Fairley brought to the defense. But he has the potential to be a more complete player, a more difficult matchup to gameplan against.

In an unfortunate echo of Junior Galette, Fairley had a tendency to sell out against the pass. At times he would abandon his gap responsibility and force the rest of the defense to patch up behind him. Look over his 2016 tape and you’ll see much of what you saw in Galette: consistent flashes of awesome pass rush talent, but an upsetting tendency to run themselves out of the action. Fairley was no Cam Jordan, who does his job first and gets after the quarterback second.

Against the run, Fairley left too much on the field. A damning trait for a defensive tackle. He was a willing run defender, sure. He put his head down and fought, and that’s why we all loved him. Galette never cared about the big picture. He was a sack chaser. With Fairley, I see a much more forgivable but no less damaging problem: too often he went for the homerun play. If he saw a glimmer of light, he jumped. Canny linemen used that to move him out of his gap.

Rankins, on the other hand, has all the traits that you want in a defensive tackle. He’s sound in his technique and reads and reacts with greater consistency than Fairley ever did. The tempting comparison is Aaron Donald, and with good reason. Both players are cerebral, undersized but technique-dominant tackles. Rankins doesn’t have the girth to allow him to take plays off or to coast on size. He needs to attack and conduct the trench battle on his terms. He doesn’t yet do that as well as he can, and his development very much hinges on him developing that ability. But if Rankins can provide even a fraction of what Donald provides, he has the potential to be a much bigger asset than was Nick Fairley.

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Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

I thought Rankins and Fairley were on the field at the same time alot last season (once Rank was healthy).

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Yes they were, but what the article is talking about is that Rankins has the ability, in the very near term, to be a more effective presence than Fairley has shown to be. I agree completely with that assessment.

:bng:

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

well it is "step up time"

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Thank you Captain Obvious for your thoughts...

https://media.giphy.com/media/l2JJOi...L2JW/giphy.gif

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

So long as he does not follow some former Saints diets...


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Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Dayamn! Where can you get one of those!

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Don't forget Sargeant Speculation

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Thought SR had flashes last year. I don't like when an article or anyone for that matters somehow tries to pretend that losing someone is beneficial. (unless we are talking about Brandon Browner)There is a reason we gave him a contract, there is a reason he was a starter. Spare me that flawed logic.

What I will say is that I hope we can at least cover up the loss with McDaniel, and SR putting together something close to what we saw from Nick. So can we overcome it, sure, is it beneficial we lost NF for the year, no.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

I don't think the article or anyone is saying that it is beneficial as a whole to have lost Fairley. It is, however, most likely to be beneficial in the quicker development of Rankins and the other young DT's. Finding a silver lining in a cloud is not the same thing as totally ignoring the cloud. We lost Fairley and there is nothing that can be done about that fact. Why not look for any positive affects of the situation to build upon?

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Because I don't think there is anything positive about it. That's the point. There is nothing good about losing starters. We have to move on and that is a fact of life, especially in the NFL. I think we can be okay and I actually applaud the quick work of the front office to look for and find what appears to be a very solid signing in McDaniel. So can we overcome it, yes, but I don't see anything positive about it. It is what it is, as they say, but that doesn't mean I need to find the good. We just need to look at what we have and discuss if it will be enough etc.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

So you see nothing positive about Rankins and Onyemata getting extra work and progressing faster? If you don't it is because you are turning a blind eye toward it. Our minister preached a sermon on this very subject just two weeks ago. Bad things happen in life but in almost every scenario something can be found to embrace. Lessons can be learned. Opportunities can be discovered.

Finding the good, finding the positive is a choice. It isn't that it isn't there. You personally simply choose to ignore it.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

I hope so given his draft position. Fairly was a good player for us and all but he would be a back up on most other teams.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

I wasn't even going to waste my time with that one.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Yep we need a run stuffing, block eating NT that can push the pocket and free him up.

Lotulelei Star is to Kawann Short

as

???????? is to Sheldon Rankins

Rankins will only be as good as the players around him.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Where is that tree from which they are plucked?

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Da'Ron Payne*, NT, Alabama
Height: 6-2. Weight: 319.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
Projected Round (2018): 1-2.
4/13/17: Scouts who have looked ahead to the 2018 class have raved about Payne's potential. Coming from Alabama, it isn't a stretch as Payne could take on the lead role for the Crimson Tide with Jonathan Allen moving on to the NFL. Payne is a run plugger with a lot of potential to grow.

Christian Wilkins*, NT, Clemson
Height: 6-4. Weight: 310.
Projected 40 Time: 5.00.
Projected Round (2018): 1-3.
4/13/17: Wilkins played well for Clemson in 2016 as part of a tough defensive line that controlled the point of attack. The sophomore recorded 48 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and 10 passes batted. Wilkins made 33 tackles and two sacks as a freshman in 2015. He has a nice skill set with upside.

Vita Vea*, NT, Washington
Height: 6-5. Weight: 332.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round (2018): 1-3.
4/13/17: Vea was a load at the point of attack for Washington in 2016. He totaled 39 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, one force fumble and two passes batted. Vea has a serious combination of size, length, strength, and quickness at the point of attack.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

He is a my #1 DT/NT going into the season. A true double team beast

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

X factor coach (besides Nolan) that we aren't mentioning here .... Ryan Nielsen. He has been known to get the most out of his players, while stressing technique & discipline.

Rankins, Onyemata, Davison ... all young guys with high ceilings & Ryan teachings could be huge for our D line development.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

I understand your thinking. I thought so myself initially. However, after some reflection I realized that giving Davison and Onyamata extra reps should increase their situational awareness and make them much more effective under our new D-line coach.

Rankins will not produce like Fairley immediately but he can grow into the position with a clear cut and defined role for the future. Now we can draft that true double team player to play a NT type of position(I say that because I think a nose tackle plays a 3-4).

Also, with change comes the opportunity for growth and evolution. I agree with Danno's pastor. God doesn't close a door without opening a window.:bng:

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

And that further explains ...

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Think of adding Vea to that line next season and we're set for a while up front for a few years.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

I like Tyler Davison, but he's actually about the same size as Sheldon Rankins. Heck, Onyemata is as well. Vita Vea at 6-4, 340 lbs sure would look good clogging up the middle!

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Christian Wilkins (Clemson) ain't bad either.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Agreed and he is a top 5 IMO. If he continues to develop mare of a well rounded skill set and consistency I will be happy to move him up the board.

Right now it is upside on most draft boards which means he has not done it yet but the odds he will are good.

he gets the keep a close :bugeyes: on him going into the season

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

But that is like saying how beneficial it would be for Chase Daniel if Drew went down because he'd get extra reps. I mean yeah it would be really good for Chase, I guess, but is it better for the team?

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Yeah they're all about 6-2 to 6-4 300 pounds give or take. Must be going for speed over size

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Go back to the 2013 draft for a moment ....

I know Hindsight is 20/20 however Brandon Williams was still on the board but we chose the big marshmallow (John Jenkins). Brandon was the one interior lineman who could have helped us in the trenches. He's still balling out of control up in Baltimore.

I'm so glad Ryan Pace is no longer in New Orleans :rolleyes:.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

LMMFAO

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

No. There is a big difference. Chase Daniel was signed to be nothing more than a backup with no plan for him to ever have to play a meaningful snap. Rankins and Onyemata are hopefully future starters and any playing time will get them closer to that goal. The same can be said for the Ramczyk/Armstead situation. And nobody said losing either Armstead or Fairley was better for the team. We simply said given the situation at least there can be positive ramifications.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

I get that reference... can still see the hit in my head.
- and so can Joe Montana, if he can remember that day.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Looking at the highlight in real time ... oh boy ;p.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

True but a ton of things are yet to happen between now and the draft. A ton.
There's no guarantee that the guys who are ranked highly now will even be 1st round NT next year. I remember Andrew Bilings was a top 10 pick on a lot of draft boards around this time last year.

Dude dropped to the 4th round.

Re: Sheldon Rankins has chance to be more effective than Nick Fairley
 

Greg Gabriel: Breaking down Washington DT Vita Vea
He may only be a two-down player in the NFL, but Vea will be a valuable interior lineman
Greg Gabriel: Breaking down Washington DT Vita Vea | Pro Football Weekly

There is the biggest under rated part of his game. He maintains the pocket and pushes double teams backwards freeing up the others. Huge mistake to under estimate him as a 2 down defender. Dude is not a fat man at NT. he is just a freaking huge man.