Detroit Lions: Jim Schwartz Loves Nick Fairley’s Confidence of Reaching Super Bowl

Earlier on Thursday, the Detroit News passed along the news that Detroit Lions defensive lineman Nick Fairley made the bold prediction that his team would reach the Super Bowl this season. A lot of coaches try to keep players away from making these bold predictions, but Lions head coach Jim Schwartz actually applauded his player and said he is a fan of the confidence.

“He has high expectations, as everybody on our team does,” Schwartz said during an ESPN interview, via Pro Football Talk.

Schwartz also said that Fairley could play a major role in the Lions reaching the next level if he is able to stay healthy and bring his winning history with him in to the 2013 season.

“He won a national championship in college, so I guess that’s the next step,” Schwartz said. “Nick is a very good young player for us and he went through a stretch last year where he was very dominant on the field. Unfortunately for him, his first two years he hasn’t been on the field enough for us because of injuries. Last year he ended the season on injured reserve. I think that’s a big thing for him this offseason is just being able to be available for us more, because his talent is there. I like guys who set the bar high.”

If Schwartz is getting his entire team to come in to the season with this type of confidence, the Lions could surprise a lot of people in 2013. If not, it will just be another empty promise and prediction from a NFL player.