METAIRIE, La. -- Nick Fairley hopes a combination of experience, good health and happiness in his personal life helps him realize his yet-to-be-fulfilled potential as an NFL defensive lineman.If so, it could provide a considerable boost to a New Orleans Saints defensive front trying to bounce back from a dismal showing in 2015.Fairley grew up rooting for the Saints in his hometown of Mobile, Alabama, about a two-hour drive east of New Orleans on Interstate 10. He said he gets chills thinking about playing for the Saints in the Superdome for the first time on Friday night, when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit New Orleans in both clubs third preseason game.Now, being back (in the South), it feels good. Im close to the family. Im just in a good state of mind, said Fairley, a former Auburn star and 2011 first-round draft pick by Detroit who is now on his third team in three years.The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Fairley has already demonstrated this preseason that he can disrupt an opponents ability to run and throw. His performance last Saturday night was among the bright spots in New Orleans 16-9 exhibition loss at Houston. Fairley sacked projected Texans starting quarterback Brock Osweiler and ended the night with four tackles.With Nick, it is all about the consistency, Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said after practice this week. He has had the athletic ability and the ability to be a playmaker. You saw that in college. But the consistency is where he has to continue to work to improve. But the last week to 10 days, I have seen a lot more consistency with him.The recent stretch Allen referenced also overlaps when rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, whom New Orleans drafted 12th overall, fractured his fibula in his left leg during practice -- an injury that could take about two months to heal. Rankins injury means Fairley, who was expected to rotate into the defensive line as a regular reserve, is now on track to start when the regular season opens against Oakland in the Superdome on Sept. 11.Fairley said coaches have told me I was going to have to take up a little more of the load.Im ready for it, the 28-year-old Fairley added. Ive just got to get in better shape and keep going.Fairley doesnt necessarily have to be fantastic to help the Saints improve. New Orleans ranked 31st in the NFL against the run last season and 27th in sacks per opponent passing attempt.Fairley was widely considered the most dominant defensive lineman in college in 2010, when he and quarterback Cam Newton led Auburn to a national championship. He set Auburn single-season records with 24 tackles for losses and 11.5 sacks. During the national title game against Oregons prolific, high-flying offense, Fairley had a sack and forced fumble while registering five tackles -- three for losses.A few months later, the Lions drafted Fairley 13th overall, but he never had more than six sacks in a season with Detroit. He also struggled with injuries at times, as well as off-the-field distractions -- namely, a pair of arrests.Last season, Fairley played for the Rams in a reserve role for 15 games. He was credited with 29 solo or assisted tackles and half a sack.But his new Saints teammates say his talent remains apparent.We know that hes a talent that can change games, defensive end Cam Jordan said.Still, Fairley is quick to acknowledge he hasnt yet become the player he expected to be when he turned pro.Far from it, Fairley said. Ive still got a lot of improving to do.Game notes The Saints completed their final full practice of training camp on Wednesday. They have a closed walk-through scheduled on Thursday, and after Friday nights game against the Steelers, the Saints will shift to a regular-season schedule for the final week of the preseason. ... Head coach Sean Payton invited two fans attending the last camp practice -- a man and a woman -- to be honorary captains for the coin toss preceding a place-kicking competition in between Connor Barth and Kai Forbath. Payton said the decision to pick fans as captains was spontaneous. The two fans then posed with players and coaches for a photo. Payton added that there is no clear leader between the two kickers heading into the final two preseason games. Weve got to continue in the next two weeks, the next two games, try to put them situations where something jumps out. Both of them are handling it well.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Discount Puma Canada . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Puma Shoes Canada Online . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. http://www.discountpumacanada.com/ . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Puma Shoes Outlet Canada .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Puma Shoes Clearance Canada .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Bears rookie Leonard Floyd suffered a concussion but otherwise avoided serious injury when the crown of Floyds helmet led into teammate Akiem Hicks leg and compressed at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.[Hes] much better, Bears coach John Fox said. I mean obviously it was a scary situation. I think anytime you see any kind of a head or neck injury, its concerning. He was able to make it back on the team charter. It was a lot of hard work by a lot of people to make that happen. Right now I think the real serious injuries are not there. I think hes got some neck soreness. Hes in the concussion protocol. The real serious stuff is behind him.Floyd was taken off the field on a backboard and a cart with a neck injury in the Bearrs 22-16 loss to the New York Giants.dddddddddddd. Floyd was rushed to a hospital for observation, as is standard NFL protocol, but later accompanied the Bears back to Chicago on the team charter Sunday night.We were just very, very happy and relieved it wasnt anything career-threatening or very serious, Fox said. Were happy about that.Floyd, the ninth overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft, is second on the Bears with five sacks.Fox also confirmed that Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery next Monday and will have a shoulder procedure to repair his torn left labrum down the road. ' ' '