No shortage of confidence for Packers' Alexander entering second season
Jaire Alexander is emerging as one of the loudest voices in a young Packers defense.
-- "Experience."
Most players on the Green Bay Packers' defense would agree. Entering the second season under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has that group, including second-year cornerback Jaire Alexander, fueled with excitement.
That one word from Alexander, coupled perfectly with familiarity, could perfectly epitomize the entire unit's sentiment.
"We're used to seeing certain things," Alexander said after Wednesday's public practice, according to Packers.com. "The speed of the game has gotten a lot slower."
The Packers held their second public practice for organized team activities on Wednesday, giving fans in attendance and the gathering of media a small glimpse of what's to come for the 2019 version of the team.
Alexander, in particular, isn't a surprise. Neither is his radiating confidence and outright, undeniable skill.
In general manager Brian Gutekunst's first draft last year, he moved all around the board, shipping the No. 14. overall pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for No. 27 and an extra first-rounder in 2019, then moving back up to No. 18 in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.
It was a move that helped the Packers land one of the best -- and certainly one of the spunkiest -- cornerbacks in that class. Entering his second season, Alexander's sights are sky-high.
"I just want to have a good year. I see myself in the Pro Bowl -- I see myself as an All-Pro."
Alexander played in 13 games as a rookie and started 11, securing his first career interception against the Buffalo Bills in September. He finished the season with 11 passes defended and 66 total tackles.
More importantly, he solidified himself as a focal member of the Packers' secondary with his stellar play. For that reason, it's a given that his confidence would be through the roof -- much like it always has been.
"Oh, I got all the confidence in the world. Last year was a great starting point for me, but this year is going to be my dog year. I'm putting my stamp on that."
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (9)
Packers2020
May 30, 2019 at 08:38 am
Alexander's play will be essential to helping this defense move toward the top 10. Him and Kevin King.
Since'61
May 30, 2019 at 09:03 am
Pettine's defense depends on having one shut down corner so that he can bring pressure from other parts of the defense as he did with Derrell Revis and the NY Jets.
If Alexander can become an "island" similar to Revis and shut down his side of the field our defense will have a very good season. If King or Jackson can handle the other side of the field we will be tough to beat.
I'm just hoping to get though TC and the preseason games healthy. If that happens I think that I will finally enjoy watching the Packers defense for the first time since 2010. Thanks, Since '61
fthisJack
May 30, 2019 at 09:12 am
i'm really excited about this defense. bulking up the front seven with the Smiths and adding 2 safeties and another edge rusher in Gary has me very optimistic. having Pettine in his second year and an influx of new coaches on the D this could be a top 10 defense.
having a new ST coach also should be a huge upgrade. they really can't get any worse than what Zook put on the field. if they can make a big jump, along with a much improved defense, the skies the limit for this team.
it may take a while to gel but the pieces are in place.
porupack
May 30, 2019 at 12:50 pm
>>>...has me very optimistic<<<.
uh oh....those are inciteful words for a bunch of recent posters; dare not get excited until results are proven!! There is a bunch of 'glass half-empty-ers" out there. They are realists. They eat nails. Don't get hopes up. Its all on paper till they see proof, and they've seen every year that every team is better in the springtime.... so they don't get hopes up, braced for another year of failure. And any article on the reasons for optimism, change and improvement are met with disdain. crunch, crunch on some more nails.
porupack
May 30, 2019 at 12:51 pm
lol
Doug_In_Sandpoint
May 30, 2019 at 10:00 am
“Securing his first career interception against the Buffalo Bills in September.”
I still say that his first was off Kirk Cousins...I refuse to accept the late hit/roughing/whatever call on Clay Matthews. JA had the game-clinching INT. No tie.
hhsbaseball
May 30, 2019 at 12:00 pm
He my boy. Should let him return punts as well. Would break a few to change field position and tilt it in our favor.
wildbill
May 30, 2019 at 01:46 pm
I also think he would be very good at punt returns but he is too valuable to risk injury in that capacity.
RickInCali
May 30, 2019 at 02:55 pm
Special teams will be significantly better if the last half of the draft/udfa’s and imports are as good as it appears to be on paper. More speed along with the subtractions of head cases and guys who really just couldn’t play, will help. Would be nice if we had a kicker with more leg, though.