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One has good character, the other does not. Mackensie Alexander and Shaq Lawson

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Mackensie Alexander and Shaq Lawson, Clemson

I'm not hearing good things about Mackensie Alexander outside the lines.

Despite his on-the-field talent, numerous sources have told me the junior cornerback is a very difficult person to deal with off the field. He was difficult at Clemson, and some of his coaches are giving Alexander less than rave reviews to NFL teams - and I'm being kind. This is something originally brought to my attention during Clemson's pro day on March 10, and something I took with a grain of salt. But since last Friday, I've spoken with multiple sources, and it seems Alexander's off-the-field personality has been spoken about at length in war rooms around the league. In my opinion, the junior cornerback has the best ball skills of any defensive back in the draft, but if he starts to drop deep into Round 1, or even out of the first frame altogether, it'll be due to his off-the-field persona.

The situation could not be any different for Shaq Lawson. I'm told the guy is a warrior; not only on game day, but on the practice field, and his motor is always on. He's someone teammates are drawn to, and the feeling is Lawson will be a major asset on game day, on the practice field and in the locker room.

Read more at http://walterfootball.com/tonypaulinerumors.php#SQ431TacQ6fKZ4DU.99

^^ I felt Alexander could be a solid #2 corner, and big time upgrade over Blake. But after reading this, I don't want him in round one, and would only take him in round two if the Steelers do not draft a DB in round one.
 
Bummer for him that this story is out. I watched Mackensie's highlight reel and while I'm no "coach", I didn't really see much to get excited about. Didn't really want him in round one anyway.
 
I don't want him in the 1st then.

Look at that fella in Cleveland who had character issues. He hasn't done jack **** and his physical skills were supposedly off the charts.
 
POP said:
I don't want him in the 1st then.

Look at that fella in Cleveland who had character issues. He hasn't done jack **** and his physical skills were supposedly off the charts.
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Which one? Did Gilbert have character issues?
 
Harry_BZAC said:
Bummer for him that this story is out. I watched Mackensie's highlight reel and while I'm no "coach", I didn't really see much to get excited about. Didn't really want him in round one anyway.
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This sucks for us. I was hoping Alexander would be gone before our pick, and Jackson III would slide to us. Now one top corner is downgraded, which increased Jackson III going before our pick.
 
Harry_BZAC said:
Which one? Did Gilbert have character issues?
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I read the Steelers loved CB Gilbert too. He was an athlete playing corner. Weak on technique and instincts.

In my opinion, the cornerback evaluation is the hardest of the bunch.

The QB's and WR's are well below NFL caliber that they face, and some of them are in schemes / systems that make it tough to see what they can really do.
 
Coach said:
Mackensie Alexander and Shaq Lawson, Clemson

I'm not hearing good things about Mackensie Alexander outside the lines.

Despite his on-the-field talent, numerous sources have told me the junior cornerback is a very difficult person to deal with off the field. He was difficult at Clemson, and some of his coaches are giving Alexander less than rave reviews to NFL teams - and I'm being kind. This is something originally brought to my attention during Clemson's pro day on March 10, and something I took with a grain of salt. But since last Friday, I've spoken with multiple sources, and it seems Alexander's off-the-field personality has been spoken about at length in war rooms around the league. In my opinion, the junior cornerback has the best ball skills of any defensive back in the draft, but if he starts to drop deep into Round 1, or even out of the first frame altogether, it'll be due to his off-the-field persona.

The situation could not be any different for Shaq Lawson. I'm told the guy is a warrior; not only on game day, but on the practice field, and his motor is always on. He's someone teammates are drawn to, and the feeling is Lawson will be a major asset on game day, on the practice field and in the locker room.

Read more at http://walterfootball.com/tonypaulinerumors.php#SQ431TacQ6fKZ4DU.99

^^ I felt Alexander could be a solid #2 corner, and big time upgrade over Blake. But after reading this, I don't want him in round one, and would only take him in round two if the Steelers do not draft a DB in round one.
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One name. Two words.

Marcus Peters.

Just let it sink in a bit...
 
POP said:
I don't want him in the 1st then.

Look at that fella in Cleveland who had character issues. He hasn't done jack **** and his physical skills were supposedly off the charts.
Click to expand...

Of course you don't. You can't argue with yourself...

:hopelessness:
 
The name I'm seeing, reading and hearing moving into our spot is "Artie Burns".

While I like that he's a dual athlete - why would you risk, if WJIII is gone, a reach with Burns instead of a shutdown DB in Alexander???

This really is a tough decision.
 
bermudasteel said:
One name. Two words.

Marcus Peters.

Just let it sink in a bit...
Click to expand...

Peter had good football character. Alexander coaches didn't like him. There's a difference. I loved Peters.
 
Coach said:
Peter had good football character. Alexander coaches didn't like him. There's a difference. I loved Peters.
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You do remember that Marcus was "kicked off" his team at Washington, right??? That doesn't equate to "good character" IMO...
 
I think you can take a chance on a character issue after round one. But there are a lot of football players in a draft. If you can't find a good football player without serious character problems in the first 32 picks you aren't very smart. They took a chance on Martavis Bryant and got burned, but lets face it he is a top five talent they got at 118. That was probably worth the risk. Most of the guys they take in the 4th round never even contribute significantly.
 
bermudasteel said:
The name I'm seeing, reading and hearing moving into our spot is "Artie Burns".

While I like that he's a dual athlete - why would you risk, if WJIII is gone, a reach with Burns instead of a shutdown DB in Alexander???

This really is a tough decision.
Click to expand...

Burns is a tough call. He looks the part but doesn't know how to play the position ( UM coaching was awful ) and gets flagged a bit too often. * Flagged for four pass interference and two unsportsmanlike penalties.* On the other hand, he can make the interception. He had six of them in 2015. High upside pick, but also a high bust type of pick as he coasted on ability for the most part in college. He could have used another year in college to develop, but it was not an option for him. His mom died while he was in college and his dad is serving time, so he went pro.

I don't think Tomlin would play him much, even if he can make game-changing plays as a rookie.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/artie-burns?id=2555344
 
I have heard that Alexander is cocky but loves to study football. Spends a lot of time in film room trying to get the advantage on opponents.

I guess we should stay away from him since cocky hasn't worked for Deon, Sherman, Norman, Revis, etc....
 
I'll see if I can get any scoop on Alexander from my Clemson guy.

It's not like Revis or Asomugha ever really had a ton of picks in the NFL and had a whopping 7(Aso) and 8(DR) in their college careers.

Sometimes "character issues" really translate to "man, maybe we can get this guy to drop to us with some rumors"
 
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Also from his draft diary on WalterFootball. Sounds like a real *******. :jag:


For this first entry, I thought I would share with you guys my background and how I got to the point of preparing to play in the NFL. My parents have really influenced me. I watch the way they work every day and treat each other. All of that connects together at the end of the day. My mom and dad go to work every morning picking oranges. It's not the best situation you want to be in, and your parents want to be in, but they stuck with it and are the best workers they can be every day. It motivates me. I'm from a small town, and I work hard every day because my parents have for years. I want to be a guy who takes it seriously and goes out there to compete and win. My parents also taught me not to be small-minded and have big dreams. That desire pushed me to rise from one level to the next.

Immokalee High School was great because I tell people all the time that I wasn't the most talented guy at Immokalee High School. There was always talent there and always will be. I always had to push to be the guy so I would grind and work hard. It wasn't easy to earn playing time because we had a lot of D1 guys on the team, so for me it felt like I was playing at a JUCO level while in high school. It wasn't a true high school feeling. We were able to do more defensively than most teams because of that talent. We did a lot more than most high schools in terms of play calls and schemes. It made me a little more prepared for Clemson.

My freshman year I was a guy that came in with a lot of talent. I grew up in understanding football more. I was really in tune with it. I took the little things more seriously as I grew as a sophomore. Knowing the playbook, knowing how to play the game correctly and making your game the best possible so you can go out and compete. My junior year I really stepped up and cleaned up some things. Really cleaned up my techniques. I got better and made it easier on myself when I knew what my linebacker, my safety, and my nickel were doing. I played a lot faster. The technique part of my game got better, and that is how I grew as a player. Focusing on the little things and knowing that it won't be about just talent because everybody is talented at this level. For example, if you take the wrong step, you might allow a catch, but you're going to make the tackle and make the play.

All of the wide receivers I went against in practice are good. We would push each other, and Clemson always had wide receivers that do different things with different skill sets, so it was good to compete against them. They challenged and pushed me every day. It was the same for them, with the best versus the best. It showed why we were so balanced as a team last year offensively and defensively. We were one of the most balanced teams in the country, and that came from how we practiced against each other.

Combine training is going well. I'm working out in Naples, Florida and Fort Lauderdale. I'm focused on training and getting stronger. I had a minor set-back in the last game, but it is going pretty well. Progress is what we look for, and that is what's happening. Getting better every day. The combination is good. and they have a good medical staff. Some of the other guys there are Justin Simmons, the safety from Boston College. He's soaking it up and working hard. Shilique Calhoun from Michigan State is there as well.

Along with preparing for the Combine workout, I'm also getting ready for the interviews. I can be myself and relax with it, but it doesn't hurt to do some preparation on the kinds of questions they are going to ask me so I've looked into that. I'm going to out there and talk, speak freely, and be myself. Just like when I'm writing this diary for you guys!
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/mackensiealexander_diary.php#EPSGxswUgap4Xlob.99]
Click to expand...
 
I really don't buy these types of negative stories around a prospect this close to the draft. Why would teams just find this out now? More likely a team or two is leaking information with the hopes that he falls in the draft.
 
bermudasteel said:
You do remember that Marcus was "kicked off" his team at Washington, right??? That doesn't equate to "good character" IMO...
Click to expand...

That's one thing that bothers me about football is that strings are pulled and these guys are handed free reign to succeed and not struggle in life and they still have "da hood" mentality
 
According to my friend with ties to Clemson-

Alexander has a "maniacal" work ethic and is pretty cerebral, although he worries that Mac might be the type of guy that is a complete gym rat for 5-7 years and then decides to retire cause he's still healthy and has saved most of his money. Definitely sees him as a Revis type guy who will be excellent, but will also expect the handsome paydays that come with greatness.
 
What exactly are his off field problems? Does he kick puppie and butt diddle kittens?
 
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