Nick Fairley's demotion to the second-string defense in Detroit was not just about sending a message. Fairley remains a backup for a second straight week because he's not playing well and he's not in shape.
"My eating habits have got in the way these past two weeks," Fairley told reporters this week, via the team's official website.
MLive.com writes that Fairley has been "in a funk" on the field. He says he's up 10 pounds to 315, and his effort has reportedly sagged during practice. He has been criticized for "poor" body language and has "isolated himself" from teammates.
"I don't know where his head's at. I wish I knew," C.J. Mosley said. "If I knew, man, I'd grab his head and bring it back to where it's supposed to be. I just don't know."
Mosley is a journeyman 10-year veteran that has passed Fairley on the depth chart. It's a crazy development considering Fairley at times has looked like one of the most talented players at his position on the league.
"I haven't said this a lot, or to many people, more or less, but Nick is more athletically gifted than me," Ndamukong Suh said. "He has an opportunity to be better than me."
That opportunity is quickly slipping away. The Lionsdid not pick up the fifth-year option in Fairley's contract in a bid to motivate him. It's not working.
*The "Around the League Podcast" AFC Season Preview is here. *
