Warren Sapp criticizes Nick Fairley's physique

Last month Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew was a bit critical of how Nick Fairley's weight was distributed within his body.

"I wouldn't say his weight is too high," Mayhew said. "He could probably re-position some of that weight."

Mayhew also stated that it's time for Fairley to mature and be more consistent since Fairley is known to disappear for  long stretches.

Hall of Famer Warren Sapp has jumped on board the Fairley physique bashing train. 

Sapp seems to have a dislike for the Detroit Lions defensive duo of Ndamukong Suh and Fairley. He has been critical of Suh since he's been in the league. Now he's made Fairley a target of his vocal rage.

"Little legs," Sapp said when asked about Fairley's game during Super Bowl festivities last week in New York. And he would go on to say "little legs" seven more times in his 12 sentences on the topic.

"You asked me a question and I told you: Little legs. Nick Fairley, little legs," he said, when asked if he thought Fairley was getting better. "I don't even know what he weighs. That would be so those little legs could carry it. He's got little legs. I've never seen a defensive tackle with little legs like that stay that long.

"It's a pounding, and you play the game inside with your legs. That's the only thing I see in him. I just laugh. He's got little legs. There's nothing he can do about it -- he's just genetically built a little different than most defensive tackles. He's just got little legs."

It's true that Sapp was one of the best in the game when he played and I actually have respect for the guy but he should stop trying to be the authority on all defensive lineman. He's had his time now it's time to let someone else shine. Do your job and be an analyst and be objective about it.

I agree that Fairley's weight is an issue just don't turn it into a personal attack.

Jim Schwartz scolds young Lions

After the latest off field fiasco involving Nick Fairley trying to play the role of the bandit, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz couldn't take it anymore. Schwartz had a lot to say regarding the incidents involving Mikel Leshoure, Titus Young, and Nick Fairley, mentioning that their actions are tainting the reputations of their teammates.

"What we have here is a case of a few guys tainting the reputations of a lot of others," he said. "The actions of a few have affected the reputations of not just the other guys on the team but the organization as a whole and obviously, that's not a good situation."


"The issues we have here have involved young guys, guys coming off their rookie year," he said. "It's obviously a big concern that the problems have come up more than once with a couple of guys. You always approach this with the idea that guys will make mistakes and learn from them. It appears that a couple of guys haven't.


"It is a concern but they are still young and there is still a lot in front of them. We are hopeful that with the means at their disposal and the means at our disposal, they will eventually be able to put this behind them."


Combine that with Ndamukong Suh's on and off field behavior, Schwartz has every right to be concerned and angry.

Schwartz can "scold" players all he wants, but until they mature and learn how to police themselves it's gonna keep happening. Players don't call out each other for their bad decisions anymore and the vets in the locker room aren't respected if they haven't won anything. Maybe general manager Martin Mayhew needs to come in and threaten a few jobs to get some of them in line.

Jim Schwartz Clowns On Nick Fairley

Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz did a little clowning around on Nick Fairley after the Detroit Lions drafted Fairley with the 13th pick in the NFL Draft.  It was more of a welcome to the team kind of moment than anything, but it was still kind of funny.

"First, if we had seen what he was wearing yesterday with those glasses, we might have passed on him at 13," Jim Schwartz said. "I got more texts yesterday after we picked him that said, 'Why did you pick that big guy that looks like Urkel?'



"Well, none of those people are here, and I think if they were here, none of them would say the same thing, and I know no quarterbacks said that last year."

See, no harm, no foul there. Just a little fun at Fairley's expense. If Fairley performs anywhere like he did at Auburn there will be some sore quarterbacks in the NFC North.