Good Bye J’aire Alexander

[Magooch]

Yeah, I don’t know if I’d call it “winded” or “gassed” per se (in the sense that he just ran out of steam as the game went on) but more that it seemed like he just didn’t have any business being in that game to begin with. Like not totally in full-game football shape in the first place

 

[El Guapo]

It's how these Week 1 and Week 2 games tend to end up, is that conditioning ends up being a bigger factor than mid-season.

That Bills-Ravens game was insanely good to watch. I started it late and ended at midnight, but totally worth it. The Ravens looked unstoppable, until they were stopped in the last few minutes of the game. I almost feel bad for the Ravens but that was trumped by how cool the Bills handled a late 4th qtr deficeit.

 

[Pugger]

From all I hear JA didn't have a great game in NY last night.

 

[AKCheese]

He gave up 32 yard and 25 yard Completions on the game winning drive (if I read reporting correctly).

 

[Magooch]

29.8 PFF grade for the game, by far the lowest amongst ravens defenders

 

[longtimefan]

From all I hear JA didn't have a great game in NY last night.

He gave up a long ball and was called for pi

 

[Heyjoe4]

29.8 PFF grade for the game, by far the lowest amongst ravens defenders

Just one game, but certainly unlike the shutdown CB he was in GB.

I wish him the best. When he did play for GB, he was awesome and among the best corners in Packers' history. He certainly was eccentric, but I think his teammates liked him. I kinda like his goofy nature, and he didn't lack confidence.

IMO, the shoulder injury has affected him the most. On a lot of tackles, the corner leads with his shoulder. Once the rotator cuff is damaged, as is usually the case, pain is pretty constant with movement, especially for an athlete.

 

[OldSchool101]

Unfortunately, JA is running out of time. It won’t get easier to bounce back from injuries going forward. IMO he’s got maybe 2,3 years and he’s not even healthy yet and the clock doesn’t stop ticking.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Unfortunately, JA is running out of time. It won’t get easier to bounce back from injuries going forward. IMO he’s got maybe 2,3 years and he’s not even healthy yet and the clock doesn’t stop ticking.

I hate to be one of the first to say it out loud, because I love the guy, but I think he may already be pretty much done. He's still recovering from that knee injury from late 24, it's probably going to be an issue all season. When you're trying to play through a knee injury and you've got several practices a week and a game every weekend, the knee never really recovers. It's far more likely to get worse as the season goes on rather than better.

 

[gopkrs]

I hate to be one of the first to say it out loud, because I love the guy, but I think he may already be pretty much done. He's still recovering from that knee injury from late 24, it's probably going to be an issue all season. When you're trying to play through a knee injury and you've got several practices a week and a game every weekend, the knee never really recovers. It's far more likely to get worse as the season goes on rather than better.

I love the guy to. Since that draft day and he was so excited.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I hate to be one of the first to say it out loud, because I love the guy, but I think he may already be pretty much done. He's still recovering from that knee injury from late 24, it's probably going to be an issue all season. When you're trying to play through a knee injury and you've got several practices a week and a game every weekend, the knee never really recovers. It's far more likely to get worse as the season goes on rather than better.

I think you're right 13 and JA's career is essentially over. I hope I'm wrong, but he's had a myriad of serious injuries. It's too bad because he was a shutdown/All Pro corner in his prime. For his own good, it may be time to call it a day. Sad.

 

[OldSchool101]

I think you're right 13 and JA's career is essentially over. I hope I'm wrong, but he's had a myriad of serious injuries. It's too bad because he was a shutdown/All Pro corner in his prime. For his own good, it may be the to call it a day. Sad.

I suppose us cutting JA was a sign. Pretty obvious his perceived value just wasn’t there. Chalk one for Gute it’s a series of good smaller personnel decisions that compound in the end.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I suppose us cutting JA was a sign. Pretty obvious his perceived value just wasn’t there. Chalk one for Gute it’s a series of good smaller personnel decisions that compound in the end.

And JA was "only" able to get $6 mil in FA. As for his poor showing in week 1, hey it's just one game. So too early to tell.

 

[Pkrjones]

Jaire a healthy scratch for week 2. Will get paid $4mil for the year, but Baltimore may be paying him to NOT play.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Jaire a healthy scratch for week 2. Will get paid $4mil for the year, but Baltimore may be paying him to NOT play.

Yeah it seems like he will be gone soon. Too bad, he was a very skilled CB until injuries took over.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm fine with Jaire retiring, the Packers paid him enough for 10 lifetimes.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Jaire a healthy scratch for week 2. Will get paid $4mil for the year, but Baltimore may be paying him to NOT play.

It's interesting how Harbaugh covered immediately after the game for Jaire. Stating “I kind of made the decision, he’s pushing me hard but I made the decision. Let’s get completely right in football shape. You got to be in football shape.”

I'm not a doctor, but JA got his knee drained on 7/28. Everything that I have read points to an athlete being able to go back to training almost immediately after the procedure. So a month and a half later the guy isn’t in shape?

Sounds like JA hasn't changed and he's still thinking that he's so good, he can just go out there when he feels like it, and be great.

 

[Thirteen Below]

I'm not a doctor, but JA got his knee drained on 7/28. Everything that I have read points to an athlete being able to go back to training almost immediately after the procedure. So a month and a half later the guy isn’t in shape?

i think the subtext here is that the fluid was not "the" problem; it was simply a symptom of the larger overall problem - which could very well be that his knee is just shot; tha there are a number of structural issues that could be at fault. You're right, if fluid in the knee is the whole issue, than yeah - draining it should solve it.

But if it doesn't solve it, then that very likely means the fluid itself was only a small part of a much larger issue. Could be many things, but chronic ligament and/or cartilage damage, early arthritis, and perhaps most importantly, repetitive stress on a joint that's been overstressed - and overstressed to a great degree.

I've had knee problems many times, I learned a lot about this - a trampoline accident in college, several hockey/football injuries in high school and college, and now in my 60s basketball and overuse injuries. I know a lot about knees, and I've been "tapped" and drained several times.

I (and my knees) are 40 years older than he and his knees. If he's having this much trouble with his knees at this age, and my knees are in much better shape in my late 60s, he's got some serious knee issues.

I know that sometimes I'm the first one to jump ahead and predict that something is going to end up being a worst-case outcome, and I sound like a Cassandra, but I think I'm right. I think we sold high, and the Baltimores got fleeced. I hate to say it, because I love Jaire, and have been a fan of his ever since his college days. But sometimes, when it's over, it's all the way over right away. And there are a lot of indicators that suggest that that's what is happening here.

More and more, I think the poor bastard is done, but he doesn't wanna give it up this easily. And the team that just signed him to a significant contract doesn't either. I get that he doesn't want to give up yet - he's an elite, intensely competitive athlete, and does not want to give uo on that in his 20s. I get it.

But I think at some point this season, and probably fairly early on, there'll be an announcement.

 

[Voyageur]

i think the subtext here is that the fluid was not "the" problem; it was simply a symptom of the larger overall problem - which could very well be that his knee is just shot; tha there are a number of structural issues that could be at fault. You're right, if fluid in the knee is the whole issue, than yeah - draining it should solve it.

But if it doesn't solve it, then that very likely means the fluid itself was only a small part of a much larger issue. Could be many things, but chronic ligament and/or cartilage damage, early arthritis, and perhaps most importantly, repetitive stress on a joint that's been overstressed - and overstressed to a great degree.

I've had knee problems many times, I learned a lot about this - a trampoline accident in college, several hockey/football injuries in high school and college, and now in my 60s basketball and overuse injuries. I know a lot about knees, and I've been "tapped" and drained several times.

I (and my knees) are 40 years older than he and his knees. If he's having this much trouble with his knees at this age, and my knees are in much better shape in my late 60s, he's got some serious knee issues.

I know that sometimes I'm the first one to jump ahead and predict that something is going to end up being a worst-case outcome, and I sound like a Cassandra, but I think I'm right. I think we sold high, and the Baltimores got fleeced. I hate to say it, because I love Jaire, and have been a fan of his ever since his college days. But sometimes, when it's over, it's all the way over right away. And there are a lot of indicators that suggest that that's what is happening here.

More and more, I think the poor bastard is done, but he doesn't wanna give it up this easily. And the team that just signed him to a significant contract doesn't either. I get that he doesn't want to give up yet - he's an elite, intensely competitive athlete, and does not want to give uo on that in his 20s. I get it.

But I think at some point this season, and probably fairly early on, there'll be an announcement.

The knee problems Alexander is having now are the same knee problems that put so many ex-NFL players particularly in wheelchairs by the time they hit their 50s. You understand it because you're going through it, but few people do. My second oldest son can attest to what you're saying.

He had 3 knee surgeries playing college football. Two on the left and one on the right. He rehabbed for nearly 8 years afterwards and was finally able to pass the Army physical fitness test. He became a combat medic, and did tours in Afghanistan. In the midst of a fire fight, he carried a wounded soldier over a mile on his back to a chopper for evacuation. He tweaked the knee in the process but went back and picked another one up and carried him to safety. In the process, he ended up blowing out both knees on the rough terrain but got him to safety too. Then he went back, with his damaged knees, and stayed with his team until the fighting ended and they returned to their COP which was well known. It was Little Blue for those that are interested. He refused being cared for and stayed with his team for the remaining two-months of their assignment, then when they got state side, he had surgery on both knees. He rehabbed and got his legs strong enough that they would have allowed him to stay in the military, but he would never be allowed deployment. He would be assigned to duties stateside until such time as he left the service or retired. Even that would be somewhat limited.

He finished his enlistment contract and left the service. Over the last decade plus, despite his being a workout freak, those knees reached a point where he's ended up with 80% disability but has rejected knee replacements. Until he needs a wheelchair, that's not going to be an option for him. But rest assured, he knows exactly what you're talking about.

 

[El Guapo]

Until he needs a wheelchair, that's not going to be an option for him. But rest assured, he knows exactly what you're talking about.

That's quite a story. He's a hero to at least two men and likely many more.

Jaire is like any young buck. The mind still says that the body should be able to do X, Y, and Z but the body fails at some point. Eventually the mind has to realize that the body is the limiting factor. Jaire may be a veteran but he's still a young dude. I still play competitive sports with other 50yr olds. I figure that we are like the Jerry Rice's of the world - lucky that our bodies, with many injuries along the way, have lasted long beyond most. However, father time will always win and our bodies will always have the final word.

...but we can still tell our tales until the day we die!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Jaire a healthy scratch again tonight against the Lions.

Jaire Alexander Inactive for Short-Handed Ravens vs. Lions

The Ravens are without their sack leaders from each of the past two years.

www.baltimoreravens.com

 

[milani]

Jaire a healthy scratch again tonight against the Lions.

Jaire Alexander Inactive for Short-Handed Ravens vs. Lions

The Ravens are without their sack leaders from each of the past two years.

www.baltimoreravens.com

Darn! I wish we could have some healthy scratches. In fact I wish we could have some healthy actives.

 

[OldSchool101]

Darn! I wish we could have some healthy scratches. In fact I wish we could have some healthy actives.

You hope you don’t have a healthy scratch in the wrong place!

 

[Thirteen Below]

Jaire a healthy scratch again tonight against the Lions.

Jaire Alexander Inactive for Short-Handed Ravens vs. Lions

The Ravens are without their sack leaders from each of the past two years.

www.baltimoreravens.com

I saw Harbaugh said the other day that he's going to need some time to get back into game shape, and he's not going to put him out theeruntil he's confident that he is. Apparently, at this point it's mostly a conditioning issue; hopefully he doesn't re-ignite the knee injury while working out.

 

[Heyjoe4]

It's interesting how Harbaugh covered immediately after the game for Jaire. Stating “I kind of made the decision, he’s pushing me hard but I made the decision. Let’s get completely right in football shape. You got to be in football shape.”

I'm not a doctor, but JA got his knee drained on 7/28. Everything that I have read points to an athlete being able to go back to training almost immediately after the procedure. So a month and a half later the guy isn’t in shape?

Sounds like JA hasn't changed and he's still thinking that he's so good, he can just go out there when he feels like it, and be great.

Correct, and Harbaugh probably knows better. I've had knees tapped, and it's a syringe that pulls out excess fluid. There is no downtime from the tap itself.

If the underlying cause is still an issue, well that's legit. If the swelling comes back in 24 hours, well that indicates there is still an underlying problem.

Bottom line - all indications are that whatever is wrong with JA's knee, it may not be fixable unless the knee is replaced, and that ends his career. More info is needed, but it sounds pretty dark as far as JA's NFL future.