The Vikings have been searching forhttp://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-anthony-brown-... a slot cornerback to take over for the departed Captain Munnerlyn, but his heir might already be in Minnesota.
Taken in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Mackensie Alexander showed promise during the Vikings' preseason campaign, tying for the lead in interceptions and passes defended along with fellow rookie and Clemson product Jayron Kearse. Their performances lead to high hopes for the rookie duo, however by and large, they failed to be fully realized.
That could very well change in 2017.
With Munnerlyn now gone, the onus is on the young cornerback to fill the void, as the slot cornerback position is his to lose as the start http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-eli-rogers-jer... of the new seasons draws ever closer. Although Alexander struggled during his rookie season, his head coach is ready to give the Florida native every chance to stake his claim.
“He’s a very, very talented kid,” Zimmer said at the NFL Combine. “I was talking with coaches about this: College rules are so much different for defensive backs than they are in the NFL. That’s why with defensive backs it takes a long time, especially for guys that want to get up in people’s faces. That’s what’s disappointing about not having young guys for a longer period of time in the offseason to teach them.”
With a year of practice under his belt andDonnie Shell Youth Jersey another offseason in which to learn, Alexander, according to Zimmer, will be given the opportunity to make the position his own, adding "what he does with it is up to him" during an interview with KFAN Radio in March. If he's to realize that potential, however, he'll have to start listening to those around him.
Throughout his rookie season, various reports surfaced of Alexander's reluctance to take on advice from coaches as well as his veteran teammates, a trait that his agent has linked to trust issues that stem from his upbringing. With veterans like Terence Newman and Xavier Rhodes in the fold, he'll have to change that habit, as there's nary a more experienced duo in the NFL to learn from.
Alexander has the natural talent and supporthttp://www.authenticsaintsshop.com/shop-by-players-drew-brees-jerse... system to make a name for himself in the NFL, but like Zimmer said, it's up to him to take his opportunity.
If he doesn't, it won't just be him who suffers because of it.