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Preseason Enemy Report: Jaire Alexander The Packers’ offseason has been defined not just by changes in the front office Authentic Marcus Mariota Jersey , but also a revamped secondary.In 2017, the starters for the secondary were corners Davon House and Demarious Randall and safeties Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Now, the starters for the secondary are safeties Josh Jones and Clinton-Dix and corners Tramon Williams, Kevin King and Jaire Alexander (listed as the nickelback as of this writing). Drafted out of Louisville with the 18th overall pick of this year’s draft, rookie cornerback Jaire Alexander had 77 tackles and seven interceptions during his college career. His junior season in 2017 was cut short due to injuries, but his 2016 season gave him Second team All-ACC honors. The Titans will play at Lambeau Field on Thursday, so we can expect Jaire Alexander to get some significant playing time in the first preseason action of his career.draftbreakdown.comThough he has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his college career, Alexander is a very talented corner. As shown on this play, he had great coverage skills and vision in college, allowing him to stuff the screen pass here for a loss. He initially covers the outside receiver before setting his site on the receiving back Youth Wesley Woodyard Jersey , making this play all too easy.draftbreakdown.comNew Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is known for running press coverage, and Alexander’s selection made perfect sense because of his ability in press man. He has strong hands which make him valuable in this area on the line of scrimmage, and especially in 2016 (when he was healthy) his quality in press made him a star for Louisville’s secondary.Alexander has also been used to blitz the quarterback on a few occasions during his time at Louisville. Whether Pettine will use him as a weapon in the blitz has yet to be determined.draftbreakdown.comAlexander’s ability against man is good. He’s a fast corner that can get a few breaks due to the accuracy of the quarterback he’s facing, but in general he should be a boost to the Packers’ secondary.Here, then Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson throws behind his intended receiver. Alexander covers outside, meaning an accurate throw would seal a touchdown, as Alexander’s route is going inside. But Watson throws it behind, allowing Alexander to catch up and haul the ball away from the receiver for a great effort interception.draftbreakdown.comAlexander’s toughness lends itself on tackles, as is expected. Here, he strips the ball out of the receiver’s hands operating on zone coverage. His speed is apparent here, as he catches up to the tight end and uses his strong hands to jar the ball loose. Jaire Alexander should be a good fit in Mike Pettine’s defense http://www.titansaut...n-orakpo-jersey , and a guy to look out for when the Titans’ receiving corps attempts to go to town.The Titans-Packers game starts on Thursday night at 7 p.m. Central time. Finally, we have a line on Sunday’s Titans vs. Texans matchup.
Oddsmakers were waiting on word on Titans’ quarterback Marcus Mariota before releasing a line. With Mariota appearing ready to roll, Houston has been determined a two point favorite for Sunday’s game in Nashville. The total has been set at 44.5.The line opened at Houston -2.5, but has quickly fallen to -2 and even -1.5 in some places. Placing the Titans as home dogs makes sense, considering the injuries and overall lackluster performance in Miami. The narrative could have been so much different this week, however. The Titans’ first two drives actually developed pretty nicely. Taywan Taylor dropped a perfectly thrown ball from Marcus Mariota, forcing a field goal. Mike Vrabel opted to go for it on fourth down on the next drive, getting stopped just short of the goal line. Two good drives turned into just three points. That’s obviously a problem, but some positive signs were there. Now you take away Delanie Walker and potentially Taylor Lewan from this offense against J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney? That’s a rough combination for an offense that has yet to come together. I think the key to this one is how offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur adjusts his offense to nullify some of that defensive pressure. Expect the Titans to try to establish a running game early and really work the screen game hard. Of course, you have to stop Deshaun Watson and the offense too. The Texans lit up the Titans last year in Houston, which was Watson’s only game against Tennessee. Watson led the charge DaQuan Jones Jersey , scoring 57 points in a disastrous game for the Titans, but I wouldn’t expect that to happen again this time around. Vrabel’s familiarity with the Texans will likely help the Titans here. Watson wasn’t great last week against the Patriots, completing just 50 percent of his passes for 176 yards. Titans Radio analyst Dave McGinnis told us that Watson looked “rusty” in New England, playing in his first regular season game since suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2017. PredictionTexans 23, Titans 20There’s just too many questions for me to predict a Tennessee win here. If Lewan is able to play, that’s a game-changer. Assuming he can’t go, I think the Titans will have their hands full up front. In addition to that, someone is going to have to step up and fill the void that Delanie Walker is leaving. That’s not to say it can’t be done, but I don’t think that issue is one you solve in just one week. Jonnu Smith is going to have to grow up in a hurry.