Jamison Hensley
Professional Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander was stunned on the primary day of coaching camp when Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw a again shoulder cross in opposition to him.
“I mentioned, ‘Come on, man. I do know it is my first day, but it surely's nonetheless me,'” Alexander mentioned Thursday with a smile.
In his first public feedback since signing with the Ravens in June, Alexander made it clear that the largest purpose why he joined Baltimore was to reunite with Jackson. They have been teammates at Louisville from 2015 to 2017 and have been shut buddies since.
A day earlier than Alexander's free agent go to to Baltimore in June, Jackson implored normal supervisor Eric DeCosta to signal Alexander. Then, after Alexander signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Ravens on June 18, he was instantly greeted by Jackson, who gave him a hug.
“That is my boy,” Alexander mentioned. “It is humorous, we have been at all times speaking about this. I am glad.”
Alexander paused when requested if he would have signed with the Ravens if Jackson wasn't in Baltimore.
“Ah, that'd be robust, man,” Alexander mentioned. “I'd most likely discover extra choices. However that is my boy and I need to win one [Super Bowl] with him.”
Alexander, 28, was minimize by the Inexperienced Bay Packers on June 9 after the edges did not agree on a restructured contract. A primary-round decide in 2018, Alexander had two years remaining on a four-year, $84 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback within the NFL on the time.
Accidents derailed Alexander's profession in Inexperienced Bay. He was an All-Professional in 2020 and 2022, however he performed in simply 34 of a attainable 68 video games because the begin of the 2021 season.
“Wanting again to Inexperienced Bay, I made some long-lasting relationships there,” Alexander mentioned. “I acquired nothing however love for town. I simply need to transfer ahead and deal with how I can excel right here and the way we are able to get that Tremendous Bowl.”
Requested if he has the Ravens' Week 17 recreation in Inexperienced Bay circled, Alexander mentioned, “Nah, I circle each week. All people goes to get it.”
Alexander mentioned he feels nice bodily. He is made a powerful first impression in breaking apart passes in his first two practices with the Ravens.
Alexander joins a proficient Baltimore secondary that features two first-round cornerbacks in Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins. Humphrey mentioned he is talked with Alexander about how he'll transfer to cowl the slot when Alexander performs exterior nook.
“He is a man that I feel it may be actually enjoyable to play with,” Humphrey mentioned. “What I like essentially the most is his swag to the sport. I feel confidence is the largest key you'll be able to have at nook.”
