METAIRIE, La. -- Defensive tackle Nick Fairley was arguably the New Orleans Saints' most impressive player in last week's preseason loss to the Houston Texans.

Fairley had a sack and four tackles -- including one where he chased down a receiver across the field on a screen pass. The timing couldn't have been much better, considering Fairley was filling in as a starter for rookie Sheldon Rankins, who had just gone down with a broken fibula earlier in the week.

"He played a heck of a game, and we know he has the talent to change games," Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said. "He makes a lot of plays in the backfield, and that's exciting. Whether that's sacks, TFLs or just disruption, he's a big, disruptive force."

Now, Fairley will make his debut as a member of the home team Friday night in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, when the Saints host the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's an exciting proposition for the Mobile. Alabama, native, who grew up cheering for the Saints.

He said his family will be in attendance, including his baby girl who was born this offseason.

"I actually as a kid growing up didn't go to any of the games," Fairley said. "I came here as a rookie when I was in Detroit. But now I'm playing, I'm on their sideline, and I'll get the cheers from their fans.

"I can't wait. I get chills talking about it."

The next challenge for Fairley will be preparing himself for a bigger role and more snaps each week -- at least until Rankins returns in a month or two.

"I'm ready for it, I've just got to get in better shape," said Fairley, who has been in the best shape of his career the past two years but stressed the need to do even more now that he'll be playing more snaps.

Fairley, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 308 pounds, said he is closer to about 285-290. He has worked hard to get his weight down and stay in better shape in recent years after that was an issue during a disappointing start to his career with the Detroit Lions.

"I feel good," Fairley said.

But not satisfied.

When he was asked how close he is to being the player he wants to be at this stage of his career, the 28-year-old answered, "Far from it."

"I've got a lot of improving to do, my technique, fundamentals," Fairley said. "Just when the going gets tough, I've got to focus down technique-wise and make some plays."

The Saints signed Fairley to a one-year, $3 million contract. He had other suitors -- including the New England Patriots -- but the deal signified that he is still in the "prove it" stage of his career.

All signs and reviews have been positive for the last year or two, including a strong performance last year as a backup with the St. Louis Rams. But as Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen stressed, Fairley still needs to show he can perform on a consistent basis.

"I think with Nick, it's all about the consistency," Allen said. "He's 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've seen a lot more consistency with him."

According to Pro Football Focus, Fairley leads all NFL defensive tackles so far this preseason with a run-stop percentage of 30.8 (four run stops on 13 run defense plays).

"He's athletic. When he wins, he usually wins in the first second of the play. He's pretty quick," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "I'd say that he has a pretty good football IQ. In other words, he's experienced and he's able to recognize schemes, if it's run, what type of run it is. He had some good production in that last game."