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Vinnie Iyer
Sporting News


AUBURN, Ala. — Nick Fairley was pretty easy to spot at Auburn's pro day Tuesday afternoon. Although he clashed with the Tigers' blue and orange, he stood out with his all-red workout gear.

To match his Nike shorts, he wore wide receiver Darvin Adams' Under Armour shirt from the Combine.

Appropriately, the jersey had the No. 1 on it.

It was a three-hour wait to see Fairley perform his position drills, but he didn't disappoint the NFL scouts, coaches or personnel men in attendance. Displaying exceptional power and quickness, he lived up to his billing of a top defensive tackle and challenger for the first overall pick in the April 28 draft.

Fairley popped with his hands and footwork. The keenest onlookers were the defense-desperate Denver Broncos, including new coach John Fox and new executive John Elway. Not far away was Ron Rivera, Fox's replacement in Carolina.

With his workout Tuesday, Fairley proved worthy of the Panthers' first overall pick or the Broncos' No. 2 overall.

Although he wasn't used to getting this much attention as an individual player, he responded to it well.

"As far as having G.M.s, head coaches and defensive coordinators here, I hadn't seen anything like it," Fairley said.

One of those general managers, the Bills' Buddy Nix, said. "He showed the agility, quickness, speed, burst and all that stuff. He made plays on Saturday, and I'm sure he'll make plays on Sunday."

While Fairley was on the marquee with quarterback Cam Newton, here's a quick look at some under-the-radar Tigers prospects who also worked out at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Center Ryan Pugh. He may not have the ideal athletic body, but he has great experience, power and intangibles.

Offensive tackle Lee Ziemba. He complemented his size (6-5 5/8, 317) with a good performance on his runs and jumps. Like in the case of Pugh, Ziemba's important, steady role on a national championship offensive line can't be taken lightly.

Wide receiver Terrell Zachery. Of all of Newton's college targets, he appears to be the most impressive because of his speed. He can be a downfield playmaker in No. 3 and 4 receiver sets.

Safety Zac Etheridge. He looks the part of a strong run-support player.

Defensive tackle Zach Clayton. He showed enough pop to warrant a look in the late rounds.

Cornerback Demond Washington. He ran a blazing 4.30 in the 40-yard dash Tuesday and covered a lot of top receivers in the SEC. But his size (5-9 1/8, 182) is a problem and he isn't a lock to get drafted.
 
C

Cr122

Guest
Man, wouldn't it be great if Fairley fell to us at 9.

I'd be happy with any of these players at 9, Fairley, Dareus, Quinn, Jordan, Castonzo, Smith. In that order.
 
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