Nick Fairley: Why He Should Make His NFL Debut on Monday Night Football

Detroit Lion fans have eagerly anticipated the debut of Nick Fairley since the Detroit Lions picked him 13th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. 

He was supposed to bolster an already dominating defensive line and help the Lions contend for the NFC championship.

The football gods had other plans.

The Lions found unprecedented success without Fairley, who injured his foot in preseason and had surgery to repair it. He has not played a down of football in 2011.

But that could all change very soon.

News from the Detroit Lions practice this week is that there have been several Nick Fairley sightings. 

Fans and media are rabid for tidbits on the defensive lineman. Will he play? Is he healthy? The Detroit Lions, and head coach Jim Schwartz, are keeping their plans top secret.

Assuming Nick Fairley is healthy, then this would be the perfect time to start him. Here's why.

Monday Night Football

The Lions play the Chicago Bears on primetime, at home on Monday Night Football. With Detroit's 4-0 start, this game has created the biggest hype machine the city of Detroit has seen since the 2006 Detroit Tigers went to the World Series.

Realistically losing this game would not be the end of the world. The Chicago Bears are a very good team. Losing is a possibility.

That being said, fans in Detroit would take the loss hard. They would see it as the latest in a long line of huge disappointments. Inevitably the familiar "same old Lions" comments would be heard.

For these reasons they need to put themselves in the best position to win. They need an edge.  Starting Fairley would give them an edge.

The Element of Surprise

No one in the NFL has seen Fairley yet. More importantly, the Chicago Bears have not seen him yet. They don't know his moves, his strengths or his weaknesses.

This would be the perfect time to spring him on a team.

Throw in a new body, some new plays and really confuse an already shaky Bears offensive line.  The result would be Jay Cutler running for his life and maybe throwing a few interceptions.

Invigorate the Defensive Line

True, with a leader like Kyle Vanden Bosch, the Lions defensive line may never need to be invigorated. 

However, their play has not been as dominating as predicted. They have not consistently pressured the quarterback and sack numbers are down. They have also been run on at times. 

The defensive line is aware of these things I'm sure. They want to prove their critics wrong. What better way to add extra motivation and energy to an already intense unit?

Plug in a much anticipated and highly skilled rookie into the lineup. His teammates are just as eager as fans and the media to see him play. 

In addition, his presence would allow the Lions to sub in players more frequently. Hey, 300 pound guys need breathers, too, you know!

The Lions officially list Fairley as "questionable," and they won't play him if there is still an issue with his foot. They have to think about the future, and in reality this is just another game. 

But with the advantage the Lions would gain, and the demand to see him play, the decision is obvious to me.

Play him Schwartz!