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Nick Fairley to sign with the New Orleans Saints

By Carl Cockerham

Dec 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) and outside linebacker Mark Barron (26) pressure Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) and outside linebacker Mark Barron (26) pressure Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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In 2015, the New Orleans Saints pass-rush had only 31 sacks, tied for the sixth fewest in the NFL. Outside of Cameron Jordan, the Saints didn’t have an interior defensive lineman that could get to the quarterback. And it you don’t have a good interior pass rush, your outside guys can easily be avoided.

That didn’t bode well for a team the had to see Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Matt Ryan twice a year. And it won’t this year so the Saints badly need to add talent to their defensive line this offseason. That’s why the Saints are soon expected to sign interior pass-rusher Nick Fairley to a contract.

The 28-year-old veteran will certainly help in that department as he can get after the quarterback. The 2011 1st-round pick collected 11.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and 32 QB hits for the Detroit Lions from 2012-2013. Then after a midseason injury ruined his 2014 season, he found himself with the then-St. Louis Rams in a rotational role on a 1-year deal.

When healthy, Fairley is a disruptive player after playing just 427 snaps for the Rams last season, he should be just that. ILB James Laurinatis was brought in this offseason and the team already has 2015 1st-round pick Stephone Anthony. So I’m going out on a limb here to say that the Saints will be running a 3-4 defense in 2016.

I’m not sure how if he’ll be in on the base defense but he will be in sub-packages as an interior pass-rusher. The terms have yet to be disclosed but I can’t see this being any more than a 1-year, prove-it deal. I also expect the Saints to add more to their defensive line in the draft next month.

They look like their trying to get back on top of the NFC South.

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