Enter Nick Fairley
March 1st, 2017
Thieve from your rival.
With the Chiefs inking safety Eric Berry to a new deal yesterday, it all but guarantees defensive tackle Dontari Poe will remain in Kansas City, either via a new contract or a tag.
So with arguably the No. 2 defensive tackle about to come off the board, it might be a ripe time for the Bucs to steal from one of their NFC South rivals and better their own defense.
Enter, Nick Fairley.
It seems Fairley, who may want to stay in New Orleans, is looking for a payday. The Saints appear willing to pay in the ballpark of $6 million a year to keep him but he wants to test the waters of $10 million annually.
Fairley battled injuries early in his career but seems to have turned his career around. The 2011 Lions first-round pick turned 29 a few weeks ago and has missed but one game the past two years. He started all 16 last year while racking up 6.5 sacks and 29 tackles.
Lost in the Bucs’ December home victory, 16-11 against New Orleans, was Fairley sacking Amerca’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, and recording six tackles, two for a loss.
By comparison, Will Gholston, a part-time defensive tackle, had 3.5 sacks and 37 tackles in 14 games.
Joe is just going to guess if the Bucs sign Fairley, then Gholston won’t be back.
March 1st, 2017 at 1:59 am
This is a signing I could get behind. Go get it Licht!
March 1st, 2017 at 2:03 am
My preferred situation sees Dontari Poe hit the open market and the Bucs sign him, but seeing as the Chiefs just resigned Eric Berry that most likely means Poe is getting tagged. If Poe is out of the question I think I’d rather the Bucs draft a NT late than sign a guy who has shown inconsistent work ethic who will demand a big pay day.
March 1st, 2017 at 2:30 am
Welp that’s embarrassing, completely skipped over the first paragraph and restated it. I still stand by my hope we draft a NT late as opposed to going after Fairley, but I would like to add that I hope we go after Jarius Byrd since the Saints have annouced that they are going to release him, he’d be a huge addition to our defense
March 1st, 2017 at 2:53 am
No
March 1st, 2017 at 2:56 am
So lemme get this straight. Fairley played in two more games than Gohlston, and had 8 LESS tackles, but 3 more sacks, and we are supposed to pay him how much?? I don’t see how this is that much of an upgrade, if at all.
March 1st, 2017 at 3:22 am
Meanwhile, here are Calais Campbell’s 2016 stats:
TCKL. AST. SCK. INT
53. 19. 8.0. 1
If we’re gonna back up the brinks truck for a FA DT, let’s do it for Campbell.
March 1st, 2017 at 4:34 am
If that’s what you’re into fine but please don’t tell our innocent ears about it.
March 1st, 2017 at 4:38 am
Lunchbox, Fairley isn’t an upgrade over Gholston. Two different positions and skill-sets, but Joe doesn’t seem to value Will as highly as some of the rest of us Bucs fans do. Fairley plays almost exclusively interior DLine from what I can tell. Before you all jump on Joe’s train to devalue Will Gholston, compare the two over the last 3 yrs:
Nick Fairley: 3 different teams, 39 games played, 8 sacks, 86 total tackles (including assists), 1431 snaps out of 3249 total (44%).
Will Gholston: 1 team, 45 games played, 8.5 sacks, 158 total tackles (including assists), 1832 snaps out of 3268 total (56%).
Gholston has far more flexibility than Fairley because he can play outside as well as inside DLine. Bucs desperately need DEs and why anyone would even consider not re-signing Will Gholston leaves me just shaking my head.
March 1st, 2017 at 5:17 am
Whether Poe is tagged or not, I still think Brandon Williams and Johnathon Hankins are the 2 best options as pure DTs. Calais Campbell’s versatility to play inside and on the edge makes him the clear #1 DL target imo.
Poe has regressed since his rookie season and I believe the hype fans have for him is because of name value.
March 1st, 2017 at 5:26 am
Totally agree defense rules
March 1st, 2017 at 5:48 am
Will had 49 tackles 37 solo a forced fumble,fumble recovery and 9 tackles for a loss ! And is only 25 pay and keep the man!
March 1st, 2017 at 6:25 am
This pile of crap thinks he’s worth $10 million a year after finally playing somewhat well in a contract year? Albert Haynesworth 2.0!
….and Joe would consider this? Put down the bottle, son.
News flash, Nick Fairley is a part time player too! Most D-lineman that aren’t super stars are part time players. Nick Fairley is also a notorious loafer when he’s not worried about earning a new contract. The Saints are god awful on defense and especially pass rushers and they don’t seem too eager to give this guy money. Just, NO!
March 1st, 2017 at 6:36 am
So pay starter money to a backup player. Thats smart spending!
March 1st, 2017 at 6:45 am
Caleis Campbell is best Available with all of these deals and tags so he will get at least 15 a year cause of desperate bidding war among teams. May get 17 range. Licht won’t do that for 30 year old.
However , I said before and will say it again- Brandon Williams NT for Baltimore who had #1 rush defense will likely be available. Now he won’t come cheap but most free agents this year towards the top will be overpaid since not many to pick from and cap went up 11 mil which is absurd. He is in NFL top 10 free agents. Williams is 6 1 and 340 lbs. a dang MANBEAST. there is no running up the middle with him. Gonna pay up though. Probably in 10 ish range but let’s face it…this is a weakness for bucs and one less position that they have to think about for draft
March 1st, 2017 at 7:06 am
Bird, didn’t we do this yesterday with Williams? HA…Joe, why not a look/article on Williams? Bird and I (his agents) would love it. He is simply unreal and at his age would be a sound, value, pick up worth the money.
March 1st, 2017 at 7:14 am
Isn’t this the guy who was driving 100 mph+ with weed and a child in the car? and that is just the one incident that I recall, there were a couple more.
March 1st, 2017 at 7:38 am
I agree with the crowd that prizes Gholston over Fairley. Gholston still has some upside left IMHO. He hasn’t played for a solid Dline…too many injuries last year and he hasn’t quite found the perfect niche because of his flexibility.
Flexibility can be an asset but it can also obscure a player’s real gift. I think Gholston will just continue to improve if we can stabilize our DL…as in bring in Campbell or draft another beast or better still do both!
March 1st, 2017 at 7:40 am
BTW
I get the discussions about $$$ when talking about FA’s but the money has become absurd. The cap keeps going up exponentially and so obviously the salaries follow.
I honestly can’t keep up anymore. As the famous politician once said…a few million here…a few million there and pretty soon you’re talking about some real $$$. It all seems crazy to me…like a game of Monopoly with play money.
March 1st, 2017 at 8:17 am
I’ll pass…didn’t he have “motivational” issues early on? he was on a D line that was pretty loaded and he was pretty “ok” in Detroit and now he’s 29 and looking for a contract…move along, nothing to see here
March 1st, 2017 at 8:26 am
Pass
March 1st, 2017 at 8:52 am
Pass!! bucs already have one low effort part time DT in mccoy time to add winners and shed the losers
March 1st, 2017 at 9:49 am
In this instance I would rather retain Gholston but I’m not jumping up and down about signing either one to big $$$.
March 1st, 2017 at 9:51 am
Gerald McCoy 2016: 25 tackles 9 assists 6 TFL 6.5 sacks 13 QB hits
Nick Fairley 2016: 29 tackles 14 assists 9 TFL 6.5 sacks 22 QB hits
When we’re comparing a DT’s stats to DEs, it’s not an apples to apples comparison. Fairley played 732 snaps, McCoy played 854. Fairley outplayed McCoy.
Don’t know how much we want to spend at DT with #93 already soaking up $15 million a year.
March 1st, 2017 at 10:04 am
You guys are starting to sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher with the GMC talk. Get over it. He’s not going anywhere. Besides, name ONE D-Lineman that plays for the Bucs that played well. You can’t. So stop singling out ONE guy all the time. They all stunk!
March 1st, 2017 at 10:49 am
I come to jbf just for the comics section!!! Nick farely 10 mil lol!!!! Hillarious
March 1st, 2017 at 1:41 pm
If Gholston got 6.5 sacks last year – he’d be looking for $10M as well. Glad he only got the 3 in a contract year assuming we re-sign him.
No to Fairley – especially since he wants big bucks. Would you rather have Fairley at $8-10M or Robert Ayers who is under contract this year for $6M? See the difference?
Jason Licht has got this.
Personally – I say we’ve got the $ and should go all out out for Campbell. I guarantee you just that one player addition would increase the stoutness and production of our DLine and thus the whole defense immensely!
March 1st, 2017 at 2:11 pm
What he said^^^
March 1st, 2017 at 3:12 pm
I’d rather have Golston back for half the price of Fairley
March 1st, 2017 at 10:28 pm
No to Fairley, keep Gholston at half the price.