ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- One of the turning points for this surprisingly improved Detroit Lions defense came the second week of the preseason when a new coaching staff demoted starting defensive tackle Nick Fairley to the second-team.
It was a calculated risk, sending a message primarily to Fairley, but to the entire team in a way.
Fairley, known for having great talent but being lazy and overweight, had ballooned up to 320 pounds during training camp and was giving a lackluster effort in practices.
His initial reaction to the reserve role appeared to be to sulk, but Fairley quickly had an attitude adjustment, won back his starting job entering the regular season and has been helping to wreak havoc weekly on opposing offenses.
"He definitely took that to heart," teammate Glover Quin said of Fairley getting demoted. "Whatever was going on, he's got right. He's been playing great for us. High energy. He's making plays. You can see his effort in everything in practice. That's what we expect and that's what we need from him.
"Sometimes it takes a little wake-up call. It was a great move by the coaches. It was also a great move for him to respond in that way instead of being angry and shutting it down. He took it as a challenge and rose to the occasion. That's good for us."
The turnaround by Fairley has made the Lions' defensive front, which has underachieved at times in past years, into a more consistent force with Ndamukong Suh alongside him.
Both are in the final years of their contracts and can become free agents next March. This quite possibly will be their final season in Detroit.
The Lions originally had Fairley under contract for another year, but they chose during the offseason not to pick up the team option for 2015. They had seen enough of his inconsistent behavior and performance, and wanted him to prove he deserved it.
Fairley insisted he's not thinking about a new contract these days.
"Not at all," he said. "We're playing the Minnesota Vikings the next game."
When asked if he thinks he's earned a new contract, Fairley added, "I'd say my play's been more consistent."
His statistics are far from eye-opening -- 11 tackles and one sack in five games -- but that's typical for most defensive tackles.
In reality, Fairley has played a significant role in the success of the Lions' defense, which has far exceeded expectations. They rank No. 1 in total defense (282.4 yards), No. 2 in points allowed (15.8), No. 4 in run defense (74.4) and No. 5 in pass defense (208).
Fairley, thanks to a new personal chef that he added several weeks ago, has gotten his weight under control over the last couple months. He said he's now at 300 pounds, which coach Jim Caldwell confirmed.
"I think that's the best weight for me," said Fairley, adding that he thinks he's faster and quicker now.
Fairley's favorite dish from his chef is a jambalaya recipe with shrimp, chicken and/or turkey sausage.
Healthy?
"The way he cooks it, it is," Fairley said. "Everything's organic."
Fairley admitted he does "cheat" occasionally on his new eating plan, which is why there's no concern about him losing too much weight to be effective in the middle of the defense.
"I don't think we have to worry about the other end of it," Caldwell said, smiling.
Caldwell's decision to make Fairley, a first-round draft pick in 2011 coming out of Auburn, earn his starting job this year has proved to be a brilliant move.
The Lions probably wouldn't be as good defensively right now if Fairley hadn't gotten on the right track.
They also wouldn't be at this point if Fairley had continued to sulk and not gotten his act together.
It made sense that Fairley would respond to Caldwell's move, given that he's in a contract year, but who ever thought he would come into training camp and gain so much weight and not play hard under the same circumstances.
With Fairley, you never know what to expect. He could revert back to his lazy, overeating side again next week.
But Caldwell made a bold move to get his standout player's attention back in August, and it couldn't have worked out any better to this point.
"He's been really diligent in terms of taking care of himself and doing the things we've asked him to do," Caldwell said. "The guy's right now where he's most effective.
"Not only that, he's enjoying himself and he's having a very fine year. He's active, destructive and really full of energy. We've been pleased with his progress."
EXTRA POINTS
--- Receiver Calvin Johnson missed practice again Thursday because of an ankle injury.
Running back Reggie Bush was seen walking off the field, carrying his helmet, but didn't participate during the portion of practice open to the media
Cornerback Cassius Vaughn is back to full participation and could return to game action Sunday after missing the last three weeks with an ankle injury.
--- Suh needs one sack to surpass Shaun Rogers for the most sacks in franchise history by a defensive tackle. Suh has 28 1/2 sacks in 67 career games.
