Rams interested in Mizzou's Alexander
by VanRam on Jul 23, 2010 6:20 AM CDT
in 2010 St. Louis Rams offseason
35 comments
The St. Louis Rams have a young group of wide receivers with lots of potential, but little in the way of results thus far. It's one of the biggest question marks for the team entering the 2010 season. A crew led by Donnie Avery, the most experienced player entering his third season, could get another young talent amidst their ranks. Former Missouri wide receiver Danario Alexander is healthy and running his way back onto the radar for the Rams and other NFL teams.
Here's what Rams GM Billy Devaney told the Post-Dispatch:
We know he can run. We know he can catch. We need to get the medical reports. If he's cleared physically, we'll probably bring him in for a visit and a physical.
Alexander has almost as many knee surgeries over the course of his college career as he does receptions. Ok, that's an exaggeration, but he has had his knee operated on four times. That's a huge risk, so what about the possible reward?
If you like size in a receiver, then you'll love the fact that Alexander is almost 6'5". Of course, being that tall means his 215 lbs is spread pretty thin across his frame, and that could be trouble in physical play at the pro level. Alexander is also a very physical player, according to his scouting report at MTD, and that compounds the injury risk.
Should the Rams sign Alexander? Since he's unlikely to cost much money as an undrafted free agent, it would be foolish of them not to try and sign him, if his medical report clears him, as Devaney says. The former Tiger would add a different dimension to the Rams young cast at that position. That said, it's difficult to count on Alexander as much more than another receiver with plenty of potential. While worth the risk, ris injury history, to me, presents a big roadblock to established stardom in the NFL.
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Signing Alexander would be a smart move.
Now I actually believe Danario Alexander will be a very great football receiver and a steal for the Rams if they can sign him before another team. Now Sam Bradford has a really great arm, and Avery is the only one who we have so far who’s decent but Sam Bradford needs a tall receiver whether it’s Danario Alexander or if we randomly sign Terrell Owens. I think we should sign Danario if we can. He’d be a fan favorite in St. Louis and he’d look good with Royal blue and Gold.. No longer black and gold. I just hope we sign him before Kansas City signs him randomly.
I have mixed emotions about Danario Alexander.
I really like him because he is so talented and has great height and speed. Had he not been injured so often during his college career he could have been right up there as one of the first WRs drafted. As it is though, I really believe he is very injury prone.
Here’s what Scott Wright’s NFL Draft Countdown had to say about Alexander prior to this spring’s draft:
Danario Alexander Wide Receiver | Missouri | SR
Height: 6-4⅝ | Weight: 215 | 40-Time: 4.60
Official Bio
Strengths:
Excellent height and good bulk-Rangy with long arms and legs-A smooth athlete-Tremendous leaping ability-Terrific ball skills and body control-Soft, reliable hands-Strong runner who can do some damage after the catch-Tough and physical-Still has some upside.
Weaknesses:
Durability is a major concern-Average speed-Is not very quick or explosive and lacks a burst-Isn’t a polished route runner-Doesn’t get a lot of separation-Not overly elusive-Will not contribute as a return man-Stats were exaggerated by pass-happy spread system.
Notes:
Essentially just one year as a starter for the Mizzou Tigers but played extensively-Named a 2nd Team All-American and 1st Team All-Big 12 in 2009-Actually beat out future first round pick Jeremy Maclin for a starting job early in their college careers before getting derailed by injuries-Has torn the ACL in his left knee twice-Also missed some time with a broken wrist-Took over for Maclin in 2009 and enjoyed a breakout campaign, leading the entire nation in receiving yards-An impressive physical specimen who showed he is capable of being an impact player when healthy-Needs some development but profiles as a possession receiver / redzone threat as long as his knee holds up.
Career Statistics
Year GP REC YDS YPC TD
2006 13 15 251 16.7 1
2007 10 37 417 11.3 2
2008 12 26 329 12.7 5
2009 13 113 1,781 15.8 14
Tot: 48 191 2,778 14.5 22
I think as a free agent he’s worth a try and maybe he could bulk up a bit to help stave off more injuries.
Go Rams!
"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now." --- Bruce Coslett, New York Jets Head Coach circa 1990s
U kidding me... right?
Danario has the chance to be an elite wide receiver in this league. He has the size and skills needed to get the job done. That report gives him no justice. So what if it knocks him for not getting separation. Dude caught 113 ball last year for 1700 yds and reached paydirt 14 times. If anything that tells me he can consistently catch balls in traffic and is a redzone threat. He could be an Anquan Boldin-Marcus Colston-Brandon Marshall type of receiver with his size and ability. If this was Donnie Avery we were talking as far as not getting separation then I’d say he wouldn’t be worth looking at because of his smaller frame. Alexander teamed with Bradford would make the Rams a stronger offense in 2-3 years. And don’t forget Isaac Bruce had injury problems early in his career, but it didn’t stop him from becoming the greatest Ram receiver of all time. We can only hope that Danario chooses to the Rams to start his pro career off with.
Bradford to Alexander
I would love to see this work. It would help sell a lot of tickets. Unfortunately, I have to be realistic. Alexander is slow to accelerate, has never had to run precise routes and does not the kind of change of direction skills needed to make NFL corners miss. He is a long-shot to make our team. But, if he passes the Rams physical, they HAVE to sign him. If they fail to sign him and he goes on to have a good career somewhere else, it will be another in a long line of failed opportunities and PR disasters for our male sheep FO.
Who would you want to give up?
I was super excited about this news and I was really high on Alexander before the draft. However, who on the current roster would you give up?
We can settle that the following four will be on the team:
Avery, Robinson, Gibson, Gillyard
But do we give up who Gibson says is the toughest WR on the Rams? (Amendola)
Either of the two players that SJ39 is really high on (McRae, Dom Curry)
Or any of the other guys that have been in the system (Foster, Kent, Burton)
Not to mention the TE that will be used like a WR (Onobun)
So out of the 10 current, and 11 with Alexander, which 7 would we keep? I just don’t think there’s room for Alexander.
Yeah...
I’d give up any one of those guys for a chance at a guy like Alexander…in a heartbeat!
by Blood Red Pred on Jul 23, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
We'd only have to give up someone if Danario proves to be worth it
And if he does, then I have no problem cutting whoever deserves to be cut.
If he’s better than the rest you keep him. I think the third group you stated will all be cut anyway. Curry and/or McRae will probably be safe on the practice squad, so that eliminates 5 guys already.
I think, if Alexander is signed and proves he’s good enough for a roster spot we keep:
Avery, Gilyard, Robinson, Alexander, Onobun, Amendola, and Gibson. Curry and/or McRae will make the practice squad. I see plenty of room for the best receiver in NCAA football last year. Onobun could even be on the practice squad if we need an extra roster spot, but I’d rather keep him safe on the actual roster.
Onubon > Gates
Don't forget...
Theres room on the practice squad for him, but theres always a chance that another team will pick him up.
Danny stays
This also makes me nervous:
“Durability is a major concern – Average speed – Is not very quick or explosive and lacks a burst – Isn’t a polished route runner – Doesn’t get a lot of separation – Not overly elusive – Will not contribute as a return man – Stats were exaggerated by pass-happy spread system. "
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
That's what spring training is all about.
If he’s medically sound I say sign him on and let the WRs slug it out in August with the best six staying on the roster. The Rams will have 4 weeks to make that determination.
Go Rams!
"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now." --- Bruce Coslett, New York Jets Head Coach circa 1990s
Homeboy caught 122 passes in 09
"Durability is a major concern – Average speed – Is not very quick or explosive and lacks a burst – Isn’t a polished route runner – Doesn’t get a lot of separation – Not overly elusive – Will not contribute as a return man – Stats were exaggerated by pass-happy spread system. "
With all these negatives it is a amazing he caught a single pass. I think there is a bit of overstatement to the
criticism.
If you love something, set it free. If it doesn't come back, find it and kill it.
Alexander....
Average speed – Is not very quick or explosive and lacks a burst – Isn’t a polished route runner – Doesn’t get a lot of separation – Not overly elusive – Will not contribute as a return man.
Sounds alot like what many were saying about Marques Colston before he was drafted by the Saints in the 7th round. Today, Colston is a pro-bowl caliber player!
I was totally thinking of Colston as well.
He’s almost 6’5" with great leaping ability. Sheesh, just chuck it up and let him go get it. What DB can out leap him?
I can take a beating ... I'm a Rams fan.
by Midasknight on Jul 23, 2010 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I guess it doesn't hurt anything,
If everything checks out then sign him
by Tevin T. Broner on Jul 23, 2010 10:48 AM CDT reply actions
Injury prone...
that’s a notion I have a hard time figuring out…
Say a guy had above average injury number over a time period.
What tells you that he will have the same number over the next such time period ?
Law of large numbers anyone ?
Had Robert Williams been injury-prone before destroying his knee playing flag football ?
In sport, and especially in football, the next play can be the last. No matter whether or not you’re ‘injury prone’…
If Brett Favre had been hit the way Rodney Harrison hit Trent Green, his toughness would’t have made a difference.
If he checks out physically, I think we sign him.
Robinson, Avery, Gilyard, Gibson, Amendola, Alexander.
I think Burton, Kent and Foster are gone and we try to slip McRae or Curry onto the practice squad.
Someone will likely get hurt and help us make our decision. Hopefully it isn’t one of our top guys.
I can’t wait to see them all in the pre-season. SJ’s comments about McRae and Curry kinda muddled our perceptions.
I can take a beating ... I'm a Rams fan.
i've been advocating alexander since before the draft
and before i knew about the injuries i was shocked he went undrafted, i would definitely rate him higher than dez bryant but thomas may have more nfl upside, however my simple point is, is sign him, even if he is just a redzone player for us he can contribute something no one else on our roster can and that’s going up and getting the ball (and not dropping it)
Bradford to Onobun!
The St. Louis Rams have a young group of wide receivers with lots of potential...
I think that a receiving corps without a true #1 doesn’t have that much potential. Go and get this guy with an incentive/production laden contract. This is the #1 we’re looking for!
And then RamChop can get his DL/DT in the first round next year! And everybody’s happy!
by Blood Red Pred on Jul 23, 2010 12:40 PM CDT reply actions
I don't get why everyone is talking about the risks.
There is zero risk. He may have injury issues and some route running issues, but if he turns out to suck, we just cut him like we would any other UDFA. We bring him in for camp, if he gets hurt and can’t play anymore, we’re back where we started. There is no risk in signing an undrafted free agent.
I think we may have an advantage because we could offer the best chance to make the team, and if he liked the area while playing in college, he may want to stay here.
I’m excited about this possibility, and would love to have him. Signing him would make preseason that much more exciting.
Btw, he reportedly ran 4.41 and 4.44 40s while preparing for his pro day, although it was expected to be on a fast track.
Let’s get him.
Onubon > Gates
Couldn't agree more
If nothing else, his height makes him a different type of weapon to anything else we have.
If the knee checks out, it’s like a 1st or 2nd rounder for minimum cost and without losing the draft pick. If his knee turns to mush or he flops in camp, he gets cut.
Even if he makes the squad but gets injured during the season we can activate the next guy off the practice squad. Apparently, it isn’t like our cast off WR’s are going to be snapped up off of waivers.
What do we have to lose?
Do it.
There’s no reason not to.
If you give a man a fish and he'll stink up the whole town. However, give a man a fishing rod and he'll poke your eye out.
Also, if we take a risk on somebody like Fendi Onubon with a draft pick,
why not take the risk on a similar player in Danario Alexander (similar because they both have great potential, but could be very hit-or-miss).
If you give a man a fish and he'll stink up the whole town. However, give a man a fishing rod and he'll poke your eye out.
On another player
Brandon Sharpe has been released by the Saints. I liked him for an OLB prospect. Undrafted he led the nation in sacks a couple years ago. He might be worth a shot.
I like it
If anything, I really like his size and Avery and Gilyard aren’t the biggest wideouts. Could complement them well in the future. At the very least, it’s intriguing. I’d love to see a big 6’4"/6’5" receiver on this team.
Follow me on twitter @Joey_Kaufman
Go get him
he is worth a shot. I watched some highlights of this guy and he can really go up and get the ball.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SIGN THIS GUY.
I watched this guy play every game. He has Randy Moss speed long legs and stride. I think this is a no brainer. I will get a season ticket if he is signed and makes the team….
by Stantheramsfan. on Jul 23, 2010 9:00 PM CDT reply actions
I just looked a Alexander's twitter
And we were at the same Cardinals game on Sunday. I should have tried to recruit him. I think we should try and sign him before his pro day if he is willing to since we’re not going to pay attention to it anyway.
Onubon > Gates
Dear Rams management....
DO SOMETHING BESIDES MAKE EXCUSES AND GO GET THIS GUY! YOU WILL NOT FIND A BIGGER TALENT FOR LESS MONEY! Worst case scenario is that he misses some games due to injury and still catches more balls than the current wanna be’s on our squad. If they pull the trigger on this guy I might even write something nice about how Spags and Devaney actually want to win : ) They can’t use price or a bad rap sheet as an excuse for not picking this kid up. This is a huge test in my eyes and we missed out on Washington, Boldin, Holmes and a host of others that went for a song. Get em!
Ignorance is bliss and way too many people are happy.
What have they got to lose. He may just be the right play to go along with their new QB. He’s big fast can catch these two starting out together could be one great pair. If this line can come together give Bardford some time, give a couple WR’s they just may light the board up again. Then next year build a Def. to match so it’s not last team with the ball wins.
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