‘Boneheaded’ Ravens Free Agent Called Out After Disastrous Debut

The Baltimore Ravens should have known what they were getting with free agent cornerback and 2-time NFL All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander.

A player past his prime. An unreliable starter. Someone more likely to blow a game for you than save one.

All of that was on display for the Ravens in a a gut wrenching, 41-40 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 in which Baltimore blew a 15-point lead with just 4 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

“To put Baltimore’s disastrous fourth quarter in perspective, teams had a record of 2,312-3 (.998) when holding a lead of 15 or more points in the final four minutes of a game since 2000, according to ESPN Research,” ESPN’s Jamison Hensley wrote on September 9. “When the Ravens were up 40-25 with 4:48 remaining, their chances of winning were at 99.1%.”

No one was worse than Alexander, who was the worst graded defender for the Ravens with a 29.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Alexander’s grade placed him 106 out of 107 eligible NFL cornerbacks in Week 1.

Alexander Came To Ravens From NFC North

There weren’t many tears shed, if any, when Alexander was released by the Green Bay Packers on June 9 and signed a 1-year, $4 million contract with the Ravens on June 18.

When Alexander wasn’t hurt the last 2 seasons — he missed 20 games combined in 2023 and 2024 — he was as much of a headache off the field as he was on it.

“One of the key offseason departures this year for Green Bay was cornerback Jaire Alexander,” Lombardi Ave’s Josh Hill wrote on September 7. “There was a time where he was an important piece of the Packers’ plan, but he overstayed his welcome and was jettisoned in free agency. Alexander landed in Baltimore with an opportunity to revive his career, but it took just one game — and more specifically one boneheaded play — to make Packers fans thankful he’s gone.”

Despite being a dominant corner in Green Bay for a time and signing a 4-year, $84 million contract extension in 2022, Alexander is most remembered for a bizarre incident in 2023, when he walked out with the captains for the opening coin toss against the Carolina Panthers despite not being a captain.

Alexander, a North Carolina native, erroneously elected for the Packers to play defense first, which the referees ignored when they realized he wasn’t a captain.

It ended up being a PR nightmare and embarrassment for everyone but Alexander, who simply said since he was from North Carolina he should have been one of the captains. The Packers suspended him for one game for conduct detrimental to the team after the incident.

Alexander Missed Most of Preseason With Injuries

It wasn’t even certain if Alexander was going to play against the Bills after he missed a good chunk of he preseason with nagging knee issues — something that didn’t stop Alexander from traveling to watch his alma mater, Louisville, play Eastern Kentucky in its season opener on August 30.

“Ravens CB Jaire Alexander said there’s no excuses for his play tonight, although he acknowledged he would’ve like to/benefited from more practice time this in training camp,” The Baltimore Sun’s Josh Tolentino wrote on his official X account .

J.J. McCarthy Declares Vikings Aren’t Just Contenders – ‘We’re Winners, and This is Only the Beginning!’

In an exhilarating season opener, J.J. McCarthy proved that he’s not just a rookie quarterback making his debut in the NFL — he’s a leader who has already set the tone for what’s to come. Despite a rocky start against the Chicago Bears, McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings rallied in the fourth quarter, turning a 17-6 deficit into a 27-24 victory that showed resilience, poise, and the mentality of a winner.

"We could’ve folded, but that’s not who we are," McCarthy said after the game. His words echoed the spirit of the Vikings’ comeback, a team that refused to be defeated, even when the odds seemed stacked against them. As the game progressed, McCarthy led the charge, connecting with key players like Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones for crucial touchdowns that brought the team back into the contest.

But the real turning point came when McCarthy used his legs to add a 14-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Vikings ahead by 10 points and sealing the win, despite the Bears making a late push. The victory wasn’t just about one player; it was about the entire team coming together when it mattered most. McCarthy’s leadership, both on and off the field, was the catalyst for the Vikings’ incredible turnaround.

"The game wasn’t going our way at first, and that’s when you find out what you’re really made of," McCarthy said, reflecting on the adversity the team faced. "We could’ve folded, but that’s not who we are. I told the guys we were going to turn this around, and we did."

The young quarterback’s attitude speaks volumes about the Vikings' potential this season. For McCarthy, it’s not just about making a good throw here and there — it’s about staying focused, sticking together as a team, and maintaining a clear vision of the end goal. "This season is about proving we’re not just contenders, we’re winners," McCarthy declared confidently, setting a clear and ambitious tone for the year ahead.

For Vikings fans, McCarthy’s debut performance was a glimmer of what could be a bright future. The ability to shake off early struggles and execute in high-pressure moments is a trait that will serve McCarthy well as he continues to develop as the leader of the team. With a strong core of players around him and the right mindset, McCarthy and the Vikings are poised for a thrilling ride this season.

As the Vikings continue their journey, McCarthy’s leadership and drive will undoubtedly be key in shaping their success. The win against the Bears may have been just the beginning, but with McCarthy at the helm, the Vikings have shown they have the heart and determination to go all the way.

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