| 27 July 2010
This morning Bears scouts will be in attendance for the pro day workout of former Missouri WR Danario Alexander. Bears fans have been clamouring for the coaching staff to find a bigger faster stronger taller WR type and Alexander fits that mold. He may just the receiver that the Bears are looking for to come in and make an impact. Then again the Bears are pretty well set with their four starting WRs and it would take a major impact player to take receptions way from the top four on the roster. The question is, is Alexander just that type of talent?
To get some more information on the former Tiger, here’s a great write up from the Mizzourahblog.com on Alexander:
Bio:
Danario (Duh-Nair-EE-oh) came to Missouri in 2006 as an unheralded two-star recruit. He left as one of the most accomplished receivers in school history. From the second he stepped on campus he started to turn heads. DA was part of the same recruiting class as Jeremy Maclin (Now Philadelphia’s second receiver) and Alexander was actually listed ahead of Maclin on the depth chart.
If Alexander had never gotten hurt, there is no doubt in my mind he would have been a first round pick. He’s got all the talent in the world. However, he battled two knee surgeries and a broken wrist in his first three years at Mizzou. Finally, this past season he was healthy for the duration of the year. He made 113 catches for 1,781 yards (best in the nation) and 14 touchdowns. He had nine games with at least 100 yards receiving and three with more than 200. To say he was the focal point of the Mizzou offense in 2009 is an understatement. Just when it looked like Alexander could put the injuries behind him, he re-injured the same knee in a work out for a college all-star game. A third surgery on the knee prevented Alexander from working out for NFL teams, thus preventing him from being drafted.
Strengths:
At 6-5 220 lbs., Alexander is a big athletic target. He has deceptive speed and when he hit full stride was the fastest player on the field in college… He’s not afraid to go up and get the ball in the air, thanks to his 46-inch vertical…. He does a good job of catching the ball with his hands and not with his body… Despite his rather thin frame, he plays tough. He often shed tacklers or fought for extra yardage... This Sports Illustrated article compared him to Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Larry Fitzgerald all in one… Alexander scored last year scored in every way possible. He went over the top of defenders to catch deep passes. He took wide receiver screens 70 yards for touchdowns. He can do it all.
Not to mention, Alexander has all the intangibles a team is looking for. He has incredible determination to succeed, he’s a leader on and off the field, and he isn’t the type of guy that is going to make headlines for the wrong reasons. I was always impressed with his humility.
Weaknesses:
Critics say he plays, “too high,” and will be pushed around by more physical corners... He may be a step slow to hit his highest gear. He takes long strides and has blazing speed when he hits that top gear, but it might take him a step or two longer to do so… His route running is average, not great… Obviously, the injuries are his biggest weakness.
Conclusion:
To Bears fans reading this, trust me, you want your team to sign Danario Alexander. At this point, you’ll get him for next to nothing. If he stays healthy, you could have a very good NFL receiver. If not, it’s not really going to cost you much. This guy has overcome so many injuries and been the victim of a lot of bad luck. He’s overcome three major knee surgeries and a wrist injury. If karma ever comes around and things start going his way he’ll have a heck of an NFL career.
For a great highlight film of DA, check out this youtube video:
The highlight video shows a lot of quality plays made by Alexander, and his size is also a huge plus. Should the Bears bring him to Bourbonnais, though, it’ll be hard for Alexander to make the team. The top four WRs in Chicago are set with (in no particular order) Hester, Aromashodu, Knox and Bennett. Rashied Davis’ role on special teams helps his chances of landing a roster spot, while Juaquin Iglesias figures to receive an extended look this August to see if he’s worth keeping around.
Alexander will have to outperform Iglesias along with a slew of undrafted free agent receivers to catch the attention of the coaching staff, and he has about a month to do so. If Chicago picks him up, Alexander would be wise to strike up an immediate relationship with Dan LeFevour and Mike Teel, the two QBs who will likely be throwing to him in preseason action. Alexander’s 6’5” frame could be an ample target for those two, and may be the only way Alexander earns a trip back to Chicago when camp breaks in mid-August.
Midway Illustrated would like to give special thanks to Michael Gaio of MizzourahBlog.com for his scouting report on Danario Alexander. Bears fans would probably be interested to know that Gaio is also a Vikings fans and hopes in fact that the Bears don't land Alexander because he could very well be a great prospect to help the Bears improve.
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