Mackensie Alexander News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/mackensie-alexander/ Minnesota sports, but different Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:49:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Mackensie Alexander News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/mackensie-alexander/ 32 32 Vikings Secondary Suddenly Stacked With Veteran Talent https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-vikings/minnesota-vikings-secondary-suddenly-stacked-with-veteran-talent/ Mon, 07 Jun 2021 01:19:30 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=35268

What a difference a year makes, eh Mike? Last offseason around this time, and for another 3 months until week one kicked off, Minnesota Vikings fans and media listened to Coach Zimmer’s calm demeanor when addressing his sudden lack of depth and veteran presence at the cornerback position. Unfortunately, his confidence (borderline cockiness) didn’t pay off when regular season passes started flying.

The secondary’s struggle bus should have been foreseen as it came around the bend, last summer. The Vikings’ front office, whether planned or not, cut their entire starting CB group loose in one fell offseason swoop. The exodus included all three starters, Xavier (don’t call him “Zavier”) Rhodes, Trae Waynes and (nickel) Mackensie Alexander. All three CB’s were drafted and raised by Mike Zimmer and all were given time to learn one of the league’s more sophisticated defenses, before being turned loose against the best quarterbacks and wide receivers in the world.

Don’t know what you’ve got till it’s…

How much cornerback experience was let go last offseason? Rhodes, Waynes and Alexander had combined for 16 years, 233 games and 160 starts in Zim’s secondary. Rhodes was an all pro in 2017 and has gone to three pro bowls since 2016.

To replace all of that production, Rick Spielman drafted two cornerbacks, Jeff Gladney and Cam Dantzler, in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft. When healthy the two rookies were thrown into the fire, starting 25 of 27 games between the two of them. Dantzler started 10 of the 11 games he was available to play and Gladney started 15 of 16.

The results weren’t pretty. By the end of week 17, Mike Zimmer’s defense was 25th in passing yards allowed, 23rd in passing touchdowns allowed and 30th in net yards per pass play. It was a season of clear embarrassment for a head coach who has built his reputation in the defensive secondary.

Learning from mistakes

But as human beings, learning from mistakes is a large part of growth and the 2021 offseason has proven that the Minnesota Vikings front office has grown from their disastrous secondary of 2020. Rick Spielman has had veteran CB’s on his mind throughout free agency, first adding future hall of fame cornerback, Patrick Peterson, before welcoming Mackensie Alexander back with open arms and then signing another starting-caliber veteran, in Bashaud Breeland.

Now, the Vikings secondary will enter the 2021 season with Peterson, Breeland, Dantzler and Alexander. On paper, that group makes last season’s bunch look like 3rd graders playing football during 5th grade recess. But, football games aren’t played on paper and there are still plenty of unknowns for this new Minnesota secondary too.

Patrick Peterson | 30-yrs-old | 154 Games

Patrick Peterson will be 31 by the time training camp gathers in August. To be blunt, Peterson’s been mediocre (or worse) for two seasons, allowing QB Ratings around 99.0 and completion percentages over 65% when targeted in 2019 and 2020. Those aren’t the numbers that launched Peterson into the NFL’s top-20 players from 2015-2017.

But while in Arizona, even if the results didn’t warrant it, PP was shadowing the opposing team’s #1 receiver. That’s something only taken on by the league’s elite and if you aren’t up for the assignment, you’ll be exposed just like Peterson has been recently. Zimmer won’t ask him to be a younger version of himself.

The Minnesota Vikings hope less responsibility, a change in scenery, a new system, and a (sort of) new number will be the exact rejuvenation Patrick Peterson’s career needs. The sudden stack of depth in the purple secondary should help that cause

Mackensie Alexander | 27-yrs-old | 68 Games

Mackensie Alexander is back in Minnesota Vikings purple after one season away at Cincinnati. Mack didn’t really skip a beat while gone, though he did allow a completion percentage that almost hit 70%, nearly 5 points higher than his career average before that. Still, QB’s held an 82.3 passer rating when they targeted Alexander, which is right on point with where he was in Minnesota. Mack will take over the Nickel CB position, the same spot he held down before leaving.

Bashaud Breeland | 29-yrs-old | 94 Games

Bashaud Breeland will compete with Cam Dantzler for a starting spot opposite Patrick Peterson. Breeland’s career numbers tell us he’s highly underrated and that Dantzler has his work cut out for him. As far as Vikings fans are concerned, this is beautiful music softly beating on eardrums.

In 2020, QB’s completed just 50% of the passes they threw vs Bashaud Breeland for a petty QB rating of 78.3. Dantzler allowed a 92 QB rating last season, along with a 63.4% completion.

One thing is for sure, Vikings fans should feel a lot better about their team’s secondary entering 2021 than they did in 2020.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Sun, 06 Jun 2021 20:19:34 +0000 Minnesota Vikings Mackensie Alexander is Back with Vikings https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-vikings/mackensie-alexander-is-back-with-minnesota-vikings/ Sat, 27 Mar 2021 00:48:33 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=34099

The Minnesota Vikings desperately needed veteran help in their secondary, even after signing Patrick Peterson last week. And to find that help, they have turned to a familiar face. Mackensie Alexander was drafted by Minnesota and played under Mike Zimmer for his first four seasons in the NFL, before leaving for Cincinnati last offseason. Now, he returns to his purple and gold roots.

Alexander left Minnesota in frustration, last offseason, so this proves a couple of old sayings. The grass wasn’t greener on the other side for Mack and time clearly healed whatever wounds had been gouged in the past by the Vikings decisionmakers.

As for Vikings fans, I’m just happy we found more CB depth. Now… how about that offensive line?

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Fri, 26 Mar 2021 20:43:58 +0000 Minnesota Vikings Loss of Mike Hughes Tempered by Great Depth and Improved Mack Alexander https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-vikings/loss-of-mike-hughes-tempered-by-great-depth-and-improved-mack-alexander/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-vikings/loss-of-mike-hughes-tempered-by-great-depth-and-improved-mack-alexander/#respond Sat, 20 Oct 2018 18:35:35 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=11292

Yet again, the Vikings have lost their top drafted rookie for the season to a torn ACL. And that’s not the only similarity between Mike Hughes’ and Dalvin Cook’s rookie injuries either.

They both happened at the same 27 yard line at US Bank Stadium. 27 yards… I don’t remember, didn’t something happen with Blair Walsh there too? Just kidding, that moment is burned into my memory forever. Anyway, the number 27 isn’t the Vikings’ number.

Many fans and experts alike felt that the loss of Dalvin Cook last year would be too difficult for the Vikings to overcome, yet they ended the season at 13-3 with a very strong rushing attack behind the likes of Latavius Murray and Jerrick McKinnon. In fact, after the Dalvin Cook injury last year, the Vikings only lost 1 more regular season game… with Case Keenum. Too bad Denver can’t say the same…

Will the Mike Hughes injury have the same null effect? Or, will his absence prove more detrimental to the team than losing our starting running back last year?

As we are learning with the Pittsburgh Steelers, running backs tend to be easily replaced. The same cannot be said of a team’s starting nickel cornerback, one of the hardest positions to learn in the NFL, especially with Mike Zimmer’s defense.

Mike Hughes made a strong impact from game one, when he intercepted Jimmy Garoppolo for a touchdown against the 49ers. He won the starting nickel corner position that week, with his strong performance. The struggles of his main competition at the position, Mackensie Alexander, also helped solidify a starting role for him as a rookie. Also, lets not forget the masses calling for Alexander to be traded in the offseason. Good thing that never happened…

There were some growing pains after week one for Hughes though, but the talent was clearly there. Hughes struggled with a few defensive pass interference penalties, but this should have been expected when learning the rules of the NFL.

Mackensie Alexander arguably had his strongest showing this season, as Hughes’ replacement, against the Cardinals. Other than the defensive pass interference penalty against Mackensie, which didn’t seem to be entirely his fault, he showed the potential to live up to his draft position.

Mike Hughes’ injury won’t just effect the Vikings defense, however, as he had become our primary kick returner too and even returned punts during Marcus Sherels’ absence. Mike Priefer has stated that Holton Hill will now become our go-to kick returner. Hill showed some skill, as a returner during the preseason, however not enough was seen from him to make a full judgment. Marcus Sherels’ health will be something to watch as the season progresses, which is an interesting note after yet again, many thought he wouldn’t make the final 53 this year.

All in all I believe Mike Hughes’ absence will affect both the defense and the special teams unit, but like last year, we can overcome the loss of our top rookie due to the immense depth that has been accumulated on this roster.

Thanks Rick.

Ian Parrague @SuperSkolFan
Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-vikings/loss-of-mike-hughes-tempered-by-great-depth-and-improved-mack-alexander/feed/ 0 Sat, 20 Oct 2018 13:35:35 +0000 Minnesota Vikings Mike Hughes (CB): Another TALENTED Vikings 1st Round Pick Who Fell due to Character Concerns https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-vikings/mike-hughes-cb-another-talented-vikings-1st-round-pick-who-fell-due-to-character-concerns/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-vikings/mike-hughes-cb-another-talented-vikings-1st-round-pick-who-fell-due-to-character-concerns/#respond Fri, 27 Apr 2018 14:23:44 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=9385 First and foremost, #RhodesClosed. Arms up to our All-Pro CB.

But holy shit, some people are comparing Mike Hughes, the Vikings newest cornerback, to Deion Sanders (Paul Allen right now on KFAN as he opens his show) and now Xavier Rhodes officially has a new teammate at what some consider the leagues’ toughest position.

During the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Rick Spielman failed to live up to his wheeling-and-dealing reputation. However, by many indications, the artist formerly still known as “Trader Rick” was able to add to his prestigious résumé of draft choices:

Who is Mike Hughes?

The newest Minnesota Viking was the sixth DB (third CB) taken during Thursday’s inaugural round. Hughes is coming off of a 2017 season that included 4 interceptions, 11 pass break ups, and 4 touchdowns (pick six, kick return (2), punt return). On top of that, for what it’s worth, his team went undefeated:

Here is his Hughes strengths and weaknesses according to the scouting website Walter Football (See the whole report here):

Strengths:

  • Good instincts
  • Excellent athleticism
  • Fast cornerback
  • Runs the route with the receiver
  • Prevents separation
  • Can cover up speed receivers
  • Quick feet
  • Dangerous ball skills
  • Good hands
  • Threat to take the ball away
  • Knows what to do with the ball after making an interception
  • Route recognition
  • Excellent returner on special teams
  • Loose hips to turn to run with speed receivers
  • Recoverability
  • Willing tackler
  • Can play off-man coverage
  • Can play zone coverage
  • Athletic upside

Weaknesses:

  • Undersized
  • A little short
  • Could use more weight
  • Gives up a few passes from not finishing plays
  • Could have issues with big receivers
  • Could be picked on in the red zone
  • Has some off-the-field concerns

Despite the much discussed offensive line needs, the Vikings, outside of Rhodes, have their fair share of questions at corner. While recent reports suggest the Purple will pick up Trae Waynes’ $9 million fifth-year option (2019 season), this addition seems to add immense flexibly to Minnesota’s contract talks with the 2015 first round pick.

Terrence Newman, the ageless wonder, is currently a FA. Whether or not he returns to Minnesota is up in the air like Mackensie Alexander’s ability to play consistent NFL Football.

Nonetheless, according to Mike Zimmer, the Hughes selection wasn’t made to “push” Alexander:

The way I see it, ain’t nothing changed but the day. As always, In Zim We Trust (link: his foundation). If he and the reigning NFL Executive of the Year, Rick Spielman, were on the same page on the Hughes selection (they ALMOST ALWAYS are), Then I’m in too.

Oh, but he has some “baggage,” they say. Whatever. I’m too busy bouncing back and forth between Randy Moss and Dalvin Cook highlights to notice your negativity.

Anywho, now that we’re up to speed on the Purple’s pick, let’s stay woke on our NFC North foes:

Bears: LB ROQUAN SMITH (8th overall)

To me, taking the “tackling machine” out of Georgia was a rock solid pick Chicago. It looks like the Bears’ front office improved upon last year’s first round performance:

Packers: CB JAIRE ALEXANDER (18th overall)

A cornerback, eh? Any chance someone noticed a certain Kirk Cousins signing?

Lions: C FRANK RAGNOW (20th overall)

Wow. Would you look at that! For once in their nine-lives, the Motor City Kitties actually made a smart move:

The Minnesota product and Arkansas alum has officially made it to the league. Stand the f*ck up, Chanhassen. Congrats!

In conclusion, the 2018 NFL draft is far from concluding. Tonight’s rendition will feature rounds two and three. In the event Spielman doesn’t hit his trusty trade button, it appears our GM will use at least one of today’s two (62nd and 94th overall) selections on an offensive lineman.

You just never know, though. I mean, I’m still kind of amazed that this man would have gone first overall:

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-vikings/mike-hughes-cb-another-talented-vikings-1st-round-pick-who-fell-due-to-character-concerns/feed/ 0 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 03:49:04 +0000 Minnesota Vikings